Bliss Bridal Magazine - Issue 29

BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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BLISS BRIDAL

ANGELA SI MS founder / publisher / graphic designer MERCY PEREZ office manager / publisher's assistant CAT JENNI NGS website + social media director

Thank you to all of our Bliss wedding pros for contributing your talents to make this another amazing issue.

ON THE COVE R Photographer | Neva Michelle Photography Dress | Main Street Bridal Beauty | Glamour Beauty & Co. Flowers | Laurel and Finch Venue | One Eleven East Model | Kaitlyn Harris

B ECO M E A PR E F E R R E D VE NDOR We love playing matchmaker! Bliss offers several print and online advertising opportunities to connect vendors to our readers. For information and a media kit email us at info@iloveblissmagazine.com

BR I DAL S HOWS We produce Bliss Bridal Bash, a Premier wedding showcase each January in Temple, Texas. The premier issue each year launches at the beginning of the show. This maximizes the exposure for our Bliss Wedding Pros featured within these pages and brides are able to put a face to each company that fall in love while using this guide as their ultimate wedding planning tool.

To become a vendor at our next event, visit blissbridalbash.com

GE T F E ATUR E D We are looking for local real weddings that feature local vendors that are detail oriented and unique. We would love to consider your wedding for our next publication or online feature. Scan the QR Code to fill out your submission!

S U B M IT YO U R R EA L W ED D IN G

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BRIDAL SHOW

THE

bridal show

FOR THE MODERN BRIDE

We know how it is. When the euphoria of the engagement begins to fade, you’re struck by a flutter of panic: “I need to plan the wedding!”

Suddenly, the mountain of decisions that requires your personal attention seems like a daunting task. Relax! This is the fun part! Our annual Bliss Bridal Show is a fun and effective way to plan your wedding! There is no better way to shop and compare wedding services, ideas and inspirations than at an event that showcases wedding pros all in one place!

A bridal show not only provides information and ideas for wedding planning, but is also a great way to spend a day with your wedding party! Show discounts, door prizes, samples, free magazines, food tastings, photo ops, are an added bonus to attending bridal shows. To make the most of these events, here are some tips every bride should know before you go.

CR E AT E A WE D D I N G E M A I L A D D R E S S A wedding email address will help you keep all of your wedding planning information together in one account.

P R E -P U R CH AS E YO U R T I CK E T S Why wait in line? Not to mention, day of tickets are more expensive to help cover staff at the check-in counter. Do yourself a favor and pre-purchase tickets before the event!

P R E -M A K E L A B E L S Most vendors have show specials or contests, to make it easier, pre-make address labels with your name, email address, phone number and mailing address to save time writing your information.

TA K E A LOT O F P H OTO S A N D NOT E S If you love a vendor, be sure to take a photo of their booth and their business card. You will see a lot of vendors that day and it will help you remember which ones you loved the most!

B E P R E PA R E D TO B O O K O N T H E S P OT Most wedding vendors have day-of show specials and this is the perfect time to save a lot of money on your wedding day! Be prepared to put down deposits or pay for services at the show if you love a vendor!

E NT E R I N TO R A F F L E S All bridal shows have raffles, but not all are made equal. At Bliss Bridal Bash, every bride that enters, wins at least (1) prize which can range anywhere from a free wedding dress to a certificate for 25% off your wedding venue. These raffles are meant to help you plan and save so take advantage!

G R O O M S A R E E NCO U R AG E D TO AT T E ND It takes two to say “I DO”, so make your groom a part of these fun decisions. We promise they will have just as much fun as you! (Or they will at least love the food!)

All photos from event / Mercy & The Wildflowers

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Presented by Bliss Bridal Magazine & Confetti Rentals

SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 2023

Mayborn Convention Center 3303 North 3rd Street, Temple, TX Doors open 1-4pm

TICKETS SOLD ONLINE | $10 BLISSBRIDALBASH.COM

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ISSUE 28

CONTENTS 8

PLANNING TIMELINE

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BUDGET BREAKDOWN

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WEDDING VENDOR PRICING

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HIRING YOUR DREAM TEAM

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ATTIRE

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PLANNING

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VENUES

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PHOTOGRAPHY

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FLORAL

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RENTALS

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CAKE

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CATERING

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MUSIC

98

BEAUTY

102

STATIONERY

105

REAL WEDDINGS

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VENDOR DIRECTORY

For more inspiration and full vendor directory galleries visit blissbridalmagazine.com Photo Credit: Neva Michelle Photography, Laurel and Finch, Main Street Bridal, One Eleven East Glamour Beauty & Co, Kaitlyn Harris

planning 12+ MONTHS

TIMELINE

9-11 MONTHS

6-8 MONTHS

Announce your engagement

Book your ceremony + reception site

Register for gifts

Having an engagement party? Set the date, make a guest list, and send out invites.

Book your officiant, priest or minister

Plan the ceremony with your officiant

Choose your wedding party and decide on roles for other important family and friends

Take engagement pictures

Decide your style + color palette Create your wedding budget Choose a wedding date and time Book your ceremony & reception site Create your guest list Create your wedding website Book any priority vendors Choose a wedding planner

Book your caterer and begin thinking about your reception menu

Begin planning your honeymoon Research hair and makeup artists Meet with and book a cake vendor

Say “Yes to the Dress”

Decide on your bridesmaids’ dresses

Finalize your guest list

Block out hotel rooms for guests

Hire a photographer & videographer

Order & send save-the-dates

Hire Musicans/DJ’s

Plan the rehearsal dinner

Hire your Florist

Order your invitations

Book your Rental Company

Create a menu with your caterer Be sure your bridesmaids have ordered their dresses

4-5 MONTHS Finalize the floral proposal Decide on attire for the guys Book a calligrapher Finalize your rentals Make honeymoon reservations and be sure your passports are current Research travel Insurance & purchase it Address the invitations Book your wedding night accommodations Book the rehearsal dinner location and finalize the menu

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3-4 MONTHS Choose accessories & details for your wedding party Schedule facials, haircuts, and root touch ups Attend pre-wedding counseling Browse for and buy wedding rings Decide on wedding favors Book transportation Confirm the delivery date of your dress and schedule fittings Celebrate at your bridal shower Decide on ceremony readings and reach out to those you want involved

2 MONTHS Send out your wedding invitations Work on the ceremony programs Have your bachelorette party Buy your veil, shoes, & accessories Decide on your something old, new, borrowed, and blue Arrange for child care for reception Figure out what is needed for your marriage license Check on hotel reservations and block out more rooms if needed Attend your first dress fitting

Start writing your vows

Schedule hair and makeup trial appointments for a month before

Write your reception song lists for must-play & do-not-play songs

Get started on thank you notes for the gifts already received

1 MONTH BEFORE

2-3 DAYS BEFORE

Call guests who have not returned their RSVP yet

Confirm transportation to the airport for your honeymoon

Attend the final tasting and finalize the menu with the caterer

Gather your wedding day emergency kit

Finalize the ceremony

Get your dress steamed

Finalize the ceremony programs

Prepare thank you gifts for parents and bridal party with special thank you notes

Send rehearsal dinner invitations Write down a day-of schedule Plan night-before activities Get gifts for parents & each other

1-2 WEEKS BEFORE Map out the seating chart and give it to the caterer, manager, and planner Provide the caterer, baker and venue with the final head count. Also add vendors who will be attending.

Give the venue manager a list of necessities from other vendors such as table for DJ, florist setup area etc.

Create escort cards Confirm transportation arrangements for the wedding day Shop and pack for the honeymoon Confirm final payments, details, and delivery times with each vendor

Touch base with ceremony and reception venues Decide on order of bridesmaids and groomsmen Hand of place cards to caterer or whoever will be arranging them Confirm with your florist that they received your correct floral order and knows where and when the flowers will be delivered Confirm the locations and pickup times with the transportation company Confirm the toasts with your bridal party and family

DAY BEFORE Get your manicure and pedicure Pack ceremony assessories

Write out wedding toasts

Have your ceremony rehearsal

Break in your wedding shoes

Provide the officiant with your marriage license

Attend your final dress fitting Pack overnight bag for wedding night Give a honeymoon itinerary to close family and friends Put final payments & tips for vendors in labeled envelopes & give to a designated person to distribute on wedding day Provide a must-take photo & video list to your photographer and videographer Apply for a marriage license together Send song list to the DJ or musician Get final haircut & hair color touch up Arrange airport pickups for close family members and guests who will not be renting a car.

Callie Ring Photography \ Bennet Events Sweetness Desserts / Confetti Rentals / Old Bethany Wolfe Florist

Have your rehearsal dinner Give the bridal party their gifts at the rehearsal dinner Review hair and makeup schedule with the bridesmaids

WEDDING DAY Give parents & each other your gifts Give the best man and/or maid of honor your wedding rings Give your father or best man the officiant’s fee envelope to be handed out after the ceremony Give wedding invitation suite, ring box, garter, wedding jewelry and anything special you want in your flat lay to your photographer

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B U D G ET B REA KDOWN It’s important to determine who is contributing to the wedding cost and how much you have to spend from day one. “Expensive” and “Stressful” might be two things that come to mind when you think of wedding budget planning, but they don’t have to be. No matter your budget, with the right planning, organization, and budgeting tips this process can be as easy as saying “I Do.”

GUEST LIST: Like it or not, each person you invite has a price tag. From catering, alcohol, cake, stationery, rentals, and flowers, each person you invite plays a role in these costs. Obviously there is a catering, drink and cake slice cost, but also consider tables, chairs, linens and centerpieces for these extra seats. Each person will also require a save-the-date, a wedding invitation, RSVP and the stamp to mail it. These things seem small, but they really do add up.

DATE + TIME: Saturday weddings will always be the most expensive day of the week. If you are looking to cut back costs on your venue, try picking a Friday or Sunday. You could also consider the time of day you host your wedding. A brunch or afternoon reception is less expensive on catering than a formal evening dinner.

OTHER ALTERNATIVES: If a wedding planner is not in the budget, consider a day of coordinator that is about half of the cost. Instead of a grooms cake, can your grandmother make your fiance’s favorite pie and create a DIY pie bar? Get creative when you can, but the last thing you want is a #pinterestfail, so be smart and know when its time to leave it to the professionals. Do not ruin your big day to save a few bucks.

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WEDDING STYLE: The more casual the affair, the less expensive your overall design will need to be. A rustic themed wedding in a barn can easily get away with BBQ or a food truck.

A glamourous formal affair, not so much. Consider your style when thinking about budget.

RECONSIDER DIY: Today, more than ever brides love to handcraft their wedding details. However, in terms of budget, keep in mind that the DIY is not always the least expensive, especially when a project requires you to buy tools or supplies that can only be bought in bulk.

So many times we see brides that want to buy their own linens online, only to later realize the quality is not the same, the time and frustration to steam them before the wedding and the cost to clean them after. By the time you went through all of the headache, you are only saving a few bucks (maybe) and then you are left with a pile of linens you will never end up using again.

The same frustrations are seen when buying bigger rental pieces, DIY silk flowers, DIY invitations, centerpieces and more. Think about all of the steps before you consider DIYing or buying things yourself. In the end you could be spending the same if not more. Also, you may realize the time and stress is not worth the few extra dollars.

WH O PAYS Before you start creating your budget, you will need to figure out who will be contributing.

Those who pay will also have a say in how much you have to spend. In modern society, a lot of couples are paying out of pocket for their own wedding. However, there are many brides who like the idea of a traditional wedding budget where families are also involved. Below is the budget breakdown for both the bride and groom’s families traditional expenses.

B R ID ES S ID E • Reception cost such as venue, food, beverage, decorations, rentals, and music • Wedding Planner or Day of Coordinator • Bride’s dress, veil and accessories • Bride’s hair and makeup • Stationery (invitations, announcements, postage, thank you notes, wedding programs, other paper elements) • Photographer and Videographer • Ceremony costs: Music, officiants, rentals, decor etc

GROOMS SIDE • Bride’s rings and wedding bands • Alcohol for the reception • Honeymoon, including transportation to airport • Wedding gift for the bride • Marriage license • Groomsman gifts • Bride’s bouquet and going-away corsage, boutonnieres for men (other than the groom), and corsages for mothers and grandmothers

• Floral arrangements for ceremony and reception, bouquets and corsages for bridesmaids and flower girl and groom’s boutonniere

• Officiant’s fee

• Transportation of bridal party to and from ceremony and reception

• Travel and lodging expenses for groom’s parents

• Groom’s wedding ring • Bridesmaid and other bridal party gifts

• Groom’s attire

• Rehearsal dinner • Wedding gift for the newlyweds • Bachelor’s party

• Wedding gift for the groom • All tips (waitstaff, band or DJ, photographer, parking attendants, etc.)

• Bridesmaid luncheon

TH I N K TWIC E CHEAPER PHOTOGRAPHER: If you need to cut your budget somewhere, the last place you want to do it on is your photography. The amateur photographer friend or the lady who got a camera for Christmas and now says she is a wedding photographer may take great photos, but a professional wedding photographer will know the exact details to capture, proper lighting for your venue, and know how to maximize their shooting time around a wedding schedule. These images will be all that you have to look back on your wedding day, so make the investment!

NO PLANNER OR COORDINATOR: Your family and friends have looked forward to the day that you walked down the aisle and the last thing you want to do is take that moment from them by adding the stress of also being your wedding planner. If a full wedding planner is not in your budget, make room at minimal for a Day Of Coordinator. A Day of Coordinator will help with vendors, setting up your wedding, make sure that your wedding runs smoothly and handle any issues that arise. This will help ensure that you and your family and friends can enjoy the day stress free.

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WE D D I N G VENDOR P RI CI NG Let us start off by saying that vendor pricing varies - after all, they’re based not only on the final product delivered but on years of experience, level of artistry, amenities, services included, and much more. We don’t find “average” budget percentages very helpful, but instead of going in blind, we wanted to give brides a starting point of what to expect when booking wedding vendors in Central Texas.

P R IC E RANGE

VA R I A B L ES

V E NUE

$1,200-$10,000 and up

How big the venue is, the amenities, if tables & chairs are included, how many days/hours needed, all-inclusive packages, on-site lodging, & more.

PL A NNER

Day-Of: $1,000-$2,500 Full Planning: $2,500-$10,000+

Hours spent working with you before the wedding and day of, staffing, hours spent working on design elements, & materials for any design elements.

DRE S S + ACCESSO RI ES

$800-$6,000 and up

Materials of dress, brand, detail, alterations, veil or no veil, shoes, undergarments, and more.

CATERING

$12-$75 per person and up

Cost of food, staffing, amount of food, type of food, utensils, plates, rentals, set up, and clean up.

BA R

$1,500-$8,000 and up

Type of alcohol, how many guests you have, how many bartenders you will need, how many security guards are required based on your guest count.

FLORIST

$2,500-$25,000 and up

Flowers, types of flowers, centerpiece vases, ribbon, shipping, personnel, delivery, time spent meeting with you, design time, rentals, processing materials, number of centerpieces, bouquets, boutonnieres, & corsages.

PH OTO GRAP HER

$2,500-$10,000 and up

Hours of coverage, second shooter or assistant fee, film, film processing, albums, prints, engagement or bridal sessions.

V I DEO GRAP HER

$2,500-$10,000 and up

Hours of coverage, staff, drones, & post-production time.

REN TALS

$1,500-$30,000 and up

Time spent with you, equipment cost, set up and breakdown of equipment, time on the wedding day, set design, lighting, etc.

DJ

$1,200-$3,000 and up

Time spent with you, equipment cost, set up and breakdown of equipment, time of wedding day, set design, lighting, etc.

STATIO NERY + SIGNAG E

$600-$3,000 and up

Materials being used, the items you want, such as save-the-dates, RSVP cards, detail cards, wedding invitations, bridal shower invitations, envelope liners, gold foil details, handwritten addresses, calligraphy, seating charts, place cards, postage, and more.

CA KE BAK ER

$2-$10 per slice and up

The complexity of the design, if its buttercream or fondant, type of cake, type of icing, and delivery.

H AI R STY LIST

$100-$250 and up for bride $75-$125 and up for others

Trial Run, Bridals, Staffing, Supplies, Time on wedding day & travel fees.

M A KEUP ARTIST

$75-$250 for bride $50-$125 for others

Trial Run, Bridals, Staffing, Supplies, Time on wedding day & travel fees.

CEREMO NY O FFICIAN T

$0-$500 and up ( some pastors Time spent meeting with you, time spent writing a ceremony and message, will not charge, but a $100 tip is and travel time. what we recommend at minimal)

T RA NSP O RTATIO N

$500-$2,000 and up

SIDE NOTE

Type of vehicle, how many vehicles, mileage, and more.

Some services may be cheaper or more expensive depending on your variables. Hiring a wedding planner will help you maximize where every dollar is spent and to get the most out of your wedding budget.

Left Photo: Neva Michelle Photography, Woods Flowers, Confetti Rentals, Bennet Events, Vintage Villas BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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dream team

H I R I N G YO U R W E D D I N G

You have a shiny new ring. You have your Pinterest board. Now what?

It’s time to build your wedding dream team!

We’ve done the hard work for you and compiled all of the BEST pros in Central Texas, now it’s up to you to select the vendors that fit your vision.

Inside you will find planning tips, guidelines, questions to ask, information on each wedding vendor and more. This planner is meant to be used and referenced often. Whether you are planning a small intimate gathering or an over-the-top affair, get your notebook ready, grab a glass of wine and start envisioning how these wedding pros can help make your day happen just the way you envisioned!

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WEDDING PROS YOU NEED TO KNOW The curated collection below is a list of vendors that we recommend based on reviews from real brides, other vendor recommendations and our own experiences! You can trust that these vendors are nothing short of the VERY best in Central Texas!

VE N D O RS B Y CATE G ORIE S 16 ATTIRE

52 P HOTO + V I D EO

86 CAT E R I N G

Georgio's Bridal Main Street Bridal

Callie Ring Photography Carmen J. Photography Cinderella Films Gaby Caskey Photography Jack & June Photography Kyrsten Ashlay Photography Madison Kennedy Photography Neva Michelle Photography Ramble & Roam Photobooth Robin Rogers Photography Steph Cano Photography Sweet Valley Photography Wild & Untamed Photography

Hecho En Queso La Luncheonette Let Us Do The Cooking Road Sips Sticky Bones BBQ & Catering Tangled Foot Catering TCP Catering Texas Porch & Table The Boozie Babes

2 2 PLA NNERS Alice Allen Events Bennet Events Bruner Events Weddings By Shauna 32 VENUES Baylor Club Carleen Bright Arboretum Castle Heights Bijoux Event Center Cathedral Oaks Event Center Deerfield Estates Fossil Creek HighPoint Estate La Rio Mansion Magnolia House Moon River Ranch Old Bethany One Eleven East Rustic Acres Event Center Shady Villa Hotel Snyder River Ranch The Exchange Event Center The Lodge at Harvey 5 Ranch The Vineyard at Florence Vintage Villas

64 F LO R IST Bloom Waco Branch & Bloom Laurel & Finch Norma's Blooming Bike Wolfe Wholesale Floral Woods Flowers 70 R ENTA L S Action Rental Celebrations Event Rentals Confetti Rentals Lighting By GGA Pendley Party Productions RSVP Events 7 8 CAK ES + CO N F ECT I O N S

46 MUSIC Arthur Murray Dance Studio G Fire Productions Good Times Productions Gretchen Williams Wall Of Sound Productions 9 8 B E AU T Y Be.You.Tiful Salon Beauty By Kara Beth Dapper & Dashin’ Salon & Shop Glamour Beauty & Co. Hair By Courtney Yarbrough On The Avenue Salon T3 The Gym 10 2 STAT I O N E RY + S I G N AG E Paperdoodles 14 5 WE D D I N G I N S U RA N CE Front Row Insurance

All Sugar’d Up Cuppiecakes Lily’s Cakes Linz Cakes Simply Delicious Bakery Sugar Shack Candy Store Sugars By Leah Sweetness Desserts BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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DR ESS T IP S At some point as a little girl, you dreamed of what your wedding dress would look like. You pictured yourself walking down the aisle wearing a big white gown like you’ve seen in the movies, marrying your prince charming. But picking “The Dress” is much more than that. Sometimes you just know it when you see it, or you might be completly overwhelmed.

This is pretty much the one time you can be certain all eyes will be on you. You’ll probably spend more on whatever it is you decide to wear than you have on any outfit you will ever own. Making sure your dream dress compliments your body shape, fits the style of your wedding as well as your budget isn’t as simple as those movies made it seem. Wedding-dress shopping comes with its own language, and the more you know about what types of silhouettes, neckline, and shades of white might flatter you, the easier finding your dream dress will be.

Overwhelmed already? Don't worry girl! We got you! In this guide, we're sharing our knowledge on everything from choosing the perfect style of gown based on season, location, and budget, choosing the best silhouette for your body type, how to prepare for your appointments and what to expect. Consider us your wedding dress shopping guide. The best part? We already have selected the best wedding dress pros in the industry to help you on your big day so that you can focus on finding that perfect dress!

Georgio's Bridal, Carmen J Williams Photography, Cathedral Oaks, Be.You.Tiful Salon

1 Wedding Date: Are you getting married in the hot Texas summer months or are you planning a winter soiree? One of the first steps of wedding dress shopping is setting a date so you can find a gown that’s fit for the season. For example, you’ll likely want a light and airy gown, one made with chiffon, if you’re marrying in warmer weather. On the other hand you’ll want a heavier fabric, such as satin, for colder temps. As a rule of thumb, consider the temperature on your wedding day when selecting material.

2 Location: Your venue plays a big role in how to shop for a wedding dress because your overall bridal look should be cohesive with your venue style. For example, a ballroom calls for a different dress code than, say, a rustic ranch or even an urban loft. If you’re getting married at a house of worship, check with your ceremony officiant to find out whether there are any attire guidelines, such as covering your shoulders.

3 Budget: The last thing you’ll want to do is fall in love with a wedding dress that is way over budget. Come up with a number that you’re willing to spend and stick to it. That way you can tell the bridal salon right away how much you’re able to spend on that dream wedding dress. Trust us- you’re better off not trying on gowns outside your price range. You’ll either end up falling in love and being disappointed by every other dress you see (even if they’re just as beautiful) or you’ll blow your budget and have to cut somewhere else down the line.

4 Silhouette: Decide which wedding dress silhouette you’re looking for before you step into any bridal salons. Think about what styles look best on you, and which ones you prefer—formfitting trumpet gowns, or more forgiving A-lines? Remember, not all silhouettes look best on all body types. No matter how beautiful a gown, it won’t look good if it doesn’t suit your body shape.

Your bridal gown and your bridesmaids’ dresses need to highlight your best features while camouflaging any less than perfect areas.

Having your preferred silhouettes and shapes in mind before your appointments will really allow you to shop for a wedding dress like an expert.

5 Shopping Partner: You’ll notice we said partner - not your entire bridal party. Taking someone with you when you shop for your wedding gown is crucial but limit the amount of people as too many opinions can become more stressful than helpful. Most brides shop with their mother and/or maid of honor. It’s also a good idea to take someone with a similar sense of style so you won’t constantly be disagreeing.

Now that you’re so well-versed in bridal speak, you’re ready to go out and use it. Be prepared to shop early- nine to twelve months before the wedding. Some wedding dresses are custom-made, which means they need to be ordered well in advance so the manufacturer or designer has time to create the dress (it can take six to eight months, though some designers can do it in less) and you have time for multiple fittings.

Left Photo: Georgio's Bridal, Neva Michelle Photography, Woods Flowers, Glamour Beauty & Co. , Vintage Villas 17

Georgio's Bridal, | Waco. Texas

D R ES S F IT T INGS Every wedding dress needs alterations. Alterations can be as simple as taking in the waist a bit and hemming the dress, shortening the sleeves, taking in the bodice, or even adding beading or lace. Most bridal salons do alterations in-house, but if they don’t , chances are the bridal consultant you’ve been working with can recommend a good seamstress. Bring your wedding-day undergarments and shoes to all your fittings. A simple bra switch or change in heel height can cause your dress to fit very differently.

You’ll probably have at least two or three fittings, though more may be necessary. You’ll want to do your first fitting six weeks before the wedding day and your second one a month before. The final fitting typically takes place one or two weeks before the wedding day when you pick up your gown and try it on one final time to adjust for any last-minute weight fluctuations.

During the fittings, speak up if you see something you don’t like. Now is your chance. If there’s a problem, continue to schedule fittings until you’re completely satisfied. When the day of your final fitting arrives, ask your mom and maid of honor to come along so they can learn how to bustle your dress and help you get dressed.

Main Street Bridal | Belton, Texas 18

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Q U EST I O N S TO AS K • Are you allowed to take photos in your selected gown. Some salons do not allow photography, so be sure to ask!

• How long will the dress take to come in and can it be rushed if needed?

• Can I see fabric samples so I’ll know the exact color I’m ordering?

• Designer name, and style number • Exact color ordered (white, ivory, champagne) • What is the full price plus any additional fees?

• What is the size ordered and/or detailed measurements?

BEHIND THE APPOINTMENT: SHOPPING FOR YOUR DREAM DRESS Wedding gown salons like Georgio’s Bridal and Main Street Bridal sell made-to-order, designer wedding dresses and are the most traditional places to shop.

They’ll carry collections from a wide variety of designers with a large variety of styles and options to choose from. You can expect full service (a salesperson well versed in the world of wedding gowns helping you), and your dress is going to be customordered and altered to fit you. You can also buy bridal accessories such as veils and headpieces, shoes, earrings, necklaces and more!

Scheduling an appointment is not just a recommendation, but is necessary to make sure you get the attention and help you will need scouring through hundreds of gown that at some point may start all lookin the same on the hanger. While most boutiques accept walk-ins, you are likely to receive more dedicated service and an overall better experience if they are expecting you.

At a salon, a specific salesperson (sometimes called a “bridal consultant”) will be assigned to help you. You will work with this person every time you come into the store and after you buy the dress (for alterations, etc.). A bridal consultant will ask you questions about the type of wedding you’re having such as style, formality and how you envision yourself looking. They will discuss what kind of dresses will flatter your body type, height, and weight. Then she’ll bring you dresses to try on.

• What is the actual date the dress will be in?

• What is the deposit amount required?

• Special order requests and costs (tape sleeves, chance bodice, etc.)

• Other costs (pressing/steaming, delivery, cleaning) • Alterations estimate, specifying what type of alterations it covers.

• How long will alterations take?

• What is the future payment schedule?

• When is the balance due?

• What is the Cancellation and refund policies?

Georgio's Bridal | Waco, Texas

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“Finding “The” gown starts with finding the right silhouette.

Silhouettes dictate how gowns fit and flatter a body, so you will want to start by knowing which shape will look best on you. ” - Belva Harvey, Georgio’s Bridal

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FI NDI NG , NEG OTI ATI NG , A ND H I RI NG VENDORS FINDING YOUR VENDORS: Some of the best recommendations can come from the people you know and trust, but not always. Have you ever recommended someone, and it didn’t go well? Don’t just rely on your friend’s one experience. Do your research, ask your vendors, read reviews, look at more of their work in magazines, social media, and attend local bridal shows.

Wedding magazines and blogs can be a wealth of vendor leads in several different ways. Search for real weddings or editorials and reach out to anyone whose work you love. Check to see if there is a vendor directory, a hand-picked selection of vendors that have been vetted in some way. Our vendors have been hand-selected by our publisher based on vendor recommendations, reviews, and real bride’s feedback. If you love a publication, chances are you’ll love the vendors they feature!

Bridal shows are a great way to meet vendors in person, taste catering, sample desserts and see rentals first hand. Photographers and wedding planners are two important vendors that you will be spending a lot of time with on your wedding day. Bridal shows are a great way to talk to them face to face and make sure the two of you hit it off!

NEGOTIATING WITH VENDORS: If a vendor asks you what your budget is, be honest. They are not trying to scam you; they are trying to work with you. If you don’t know your exact budget, a range is fine. This will help them get an idea of what to present to you that fits within your budget or to let you know right off the bat that they may not be a good fit due to budget. If you have a budget of $1,500 for photography and the photographer’s lowest package is $3,000, there is no reason to waste either of your time.

So what do you do if a vendor is out of your budget? Vendors have set their prices with careful thought, so it’s unreasonable to expect them to lower their standard pricing without giving up something in return. It’s also not fair to ask them to price match or mention that another vendor is cheaper. They set their prices based on experience, education, overhead, labor, material and general business costs. Remember you get what you pay for! If the price quoted is beyond your budget and you really want to work with them, see if you can deduct something from what they present. Maybe that is choosing a less expensive flower for your floral arrangements, reducing the hours of coverage, or not doing an envelope liner in that fancy stationery suite you couldn’t live without.

HIRING VENDORS: We wouldn’t recommend hiring any other vendor (unless it’s a wedding planner) before you’ve signed and booked your venue.

Your location will dictate the style, travel fees, and the hours included in the rental. It will also let you know, if you will need tables or chair rentals unless they are a part of your venue package.

Main Street Bridal, Kyrsten Ashlay Photography, Hair: Dapper & Dashin, Makeup: Be.You.Tiful Salon, Snyder River Ranch, Tyler & Ademaris Price 20

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Don’t be in a rush to hire the first vendor you find or hire someone just because you know them. While sometimes this can work out, there have been times we have seen a relationship and a wedding ruined over hiring a friend. Just because your cousin got a new camera doesn’t make them a wedding photographer. Just because your college BFF decided to watch a YouTube video on using fondant doesn’t make her a professional wedding cake artist. Ensure that whoever you are hiring -friend or not, has the experience and reviews to back up their work.

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PLANNING 22

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PLANNING OPTIONS Planning, organizing, and designing every aspect of your big day will take a lot of timing, organization skills, and talent. The key to a successful, stress-free, wedding is hiring the right vendors.

Wedding planners and coordinators play a huge role in how your day will be executed. From setting up a realistic wedding budget, helping with floor plans, finding the best vendors, coordinating setups and deliveries, managing the wedding day, creating a timeline and so much more.

Executing a wedding takes exceptional skill, and although you may throw the best dinner parties, when it comes to one of the biggest events of your life, hiring a wedding planner or coordinator is not an option but a requirement in our book!

If your budget doesn't allow a full-service planner, you still may be able to hire a coordinator that can make sure the day of your wedding runs smoothly.

Left + Right Photos: Sweet Valley Photography

COOR DINATOR

WEDDING PL ANNER

A wedding coordinator is logistically focused, but on a shorter timeline than a planner. They usually begin helping you prepare a month before the wedding and are the point on contact on the wedding day. Coordinators make sure that everything is in order, nothing is forgotten, and you’re free to enjoy your wedding day.

Below are a few coordinator duties you can expect.

Planners take the guesswork out of the process, making planning a wedding as seamless and smooth as possible. A planner will keep track of your budget and handle the logistics. Some planners also provide design or styling services, helping with the creative specifics of your wedding day as well as the logistics. Below are a few wedding planner duties you can expect.

• Puts in around 25+ hours

• Puts in 80 to 250 hours

• Meets with you four to eight weeks before the wedding to get a handle on what you’ve planned thus far

• Helps create and maximize your wedding budget

• Checks in with your vendors to review the signed contracts and confirm logistics • Creates detailed timelines and floor plans • Completes a final walk-through of the ceremony and reception sites • Addresses any overlooked details • Creating wedding day timeline • Manages the rehearsal • Oversees everything on the wedding day

• Creates a overall plan for your big day • Pairing you with the best vendors in the area • Negotiates contracts, schedules, and attends all meetings • Reading over all of your vendor contracts to make sure everything is correct • Creating detailed timelines and floor plans • Manages the rehearsal • Managing the wedding day, coordinating your other vendors with setup, breakdown and deliveries • Handling any emergencies without you knowing so that you can enjoy a stress free day!

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ADVAN TAG ES O F H I R I N G A P L AN N ER By far, one of the biggest advantages to hiring a planner is what they bring to the table, when it comes to curating your dream team of vendors. Although you are scouring bridal shows and getting business cards, no matter how "known" a vendor maybe, they may not be the perfect fit for your vision. Planners will do vetting behind the scenes, considering the vendor’s skills and experience, the cost of their services, their overall aesthetic and their reputation in the industry. Wedding planners not only handle all of the finer details, they also curate the perfect "Dream Team" of vendors to make sure your event is memorable and authentic from the first kiss to the last toast.

Photographer: Mercy & The Wildflowers Planner: Bennet Events

Bennet Event's principle is that everyone's way of celebrating love is different, so their story deserves a memorable event.

Inspired by the leading lady of Jane Austen's novel, Pride and Prejudice, Bennet Events strives to uphold Elizabeth Bennet's lively and eccentric attitude, with her elegance, of course!

This philosophy is what we bring to the table, a different outlook on event planning and design. We emphasize creating an event that is bold and reflects who you are as a couple. Our experience, tied with our passion for romance, gives us the can-do attitude to be ready at any given moment for any challenge. Inquire today to get a peek into what Bennet Events has the potential to be for your one-of-a-kind love story.

KAITLIN DEEB

Bennet Events

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Experience: It's safe to say you probably haven't planned a wedding before from start to finish. A birthday party or a company Christmas party is a totally different ball game than planning a wedding for over 100+ people. Wedding Planners bring knowledge and hands-on experience to help make your wedding the happiest event of your life vs. the most stressful.

Vendor Connections: Planners make sure your vendors not only fit your budget but also fit your vision. From coordinating all of the details with each vendor to managing contracts and deposits, planners have a one-on-one relationship with most vendors in the wedding industry. As the old saying goes "It's not about what you know, but who you know." That can make all the difference.

Budget: From day one, your planner will learn your budget and what is important to you. They will help ensure that your budget is realistic for what you want to achieve. If not, they are able to give suggestions on other alternatives that they think will work best. Once a realistic budget is set, they will be able to help decide where each of those funds should be allocated so that you do not over spend. There are a lot of moving parts to planning a wedding and a professional wedding planner will know how to make sure your budget is well spent.

Day-Of Details: You've made it to your big day - but you are not out of the woods just yet! The morning-of, you will want to spend time with your bridesmaids, getting your hair and makeup done, drinking mimosas, laughing and taking photos.

The last thing on your mind should be if the caterer knows where to setup or if your future husbands college roommate is going to show up in time for photos. A planner will take care of all the day’s details for you, managing vendor arrivals, ensuring bridal party members show up on time, answering last-minute guest questions, keeping the schedule on track, and busting out a plan B...just in case.

A planner will become your best line of defense against day-of dilemmas. All their effort and time goes into creating a stress free and memorable experience for you and your spouse. At the end of the day, you’ll be so grateful you hired one!

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botanical romance

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BLISS WEDDING PROS PLANNING & DESIGN VENUE F LOR AL

/ BLISS BRIDAL

/ ONE ELEVEN EAST

/ L AU R E L A N D F I N C H STAT I O N E RY

CAT E R I N G

PHOTOGRAPHER

CAKE

R E N TA LS

/ C E L E B R AT I O N S E V E N T R E N TA L S

/ L I LY ' S C A K E S

/ PA P E R D O O D L E S

/ T E X A S P O R C H & TA B L E

/ N E VA M I C H E L L E P H O T O G R A P H Y

DRESS

BARTENDING

BEAUTY

/ G L A M O U R B E AU T Y & C O .

/ T H E B O OZ I E B A B E

/ MAIN STREET BRIDAL

MODEL

/ K A I T LY N H A R R I S

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VENUES 32

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F IND IN G T HE P ER F ECT V E N U E Picking a wedding venue is a big deal. It’s one of the most expensive parts of your budget. It sets the tone. It’s the base that will help the rest of your event come to life. It’s also an incredibly overwhelming process. How can you possibly find a venue that A) you can afford, B) you actually like, C) is convenient for your guests, and D) isn’t already booked? (Hint: it is possible.)

When it comes to how to choose a wedding venue, the whole process can feel pretty daunting and there are lots of questions that you’ll need to answer. Will your wedding be big or small? Outdoors or indoors? Rustic or glam? Settling on the basics of your wedding will help you and your fiance narrow down the many venues out there, and find the one that’s right for you. Here’s the rundown of how to choose a wedding venue, from start to finish.

Old Bethany, Bruceville, Texas | Callie Ring Photography

Location: What city will your wedding be held in? This can be your partner’s hometown or the city where you currently live. Do you have family all over Texas and you need a central location? These are all things to think about.

Budget: Before you make any venue decisions, you need to make a draft budget. Don’t sign a contract with a venue, regardless of the price, only to realize down the line that you have no money left to decorate it.

Guest Count: Every wedding venue has a capacity—a firm number of guests that it can comfortably hold. This number is usually not flexible. There’s a big difference between a venue that can accommodate 175 guests verses 500. Don’t just pull a guest count out of thin air (“I want a 100-person wedding!”). Sit down with your partner to come up with a list so there won’t be any surprises later on.

Priorites: Sit down with your partner and choose features that your ideal venue would have. For example, tables and chair included or one that can hold both your ceremony and reception in one location. Perhaps you’re looking for a venue that’s conveniently located, pet-friendly, and allows you the option for an entire weekend package. The possibilities are endless and each couple’s priorities will be different.

Narrow Your Date: Booking a wedding venue means that you’ve officially “set the date” for your big day. You may already have a wedding date in mind, or you may be able to be a bit more flexible.

Either way, one of the first steps of how to choose a wedding venue is to narrow down a few dates that you know will work. While saying that you’re getting married “next fall” is a good start, you should have some specific dates in mind before looking at venues.

Start Your Search: Use this guide, Blissbridalmagazine.com, bridal shows and other online resources to start learning about what venues are in the area. Here you will find capacities, pricing, and each venues amenities. Once you find a venue that meets your criteria, call to setup a tour!

If you fall in love at first sight with a particular venue, it can be a pretty amazing feeling. However, don’t feel too much pressure to sign on the dotted line during your initial tour.

It’s best to take a step back, tour a few venues, and discuss your options with your partner. When you both have agreed on your desired venue, ask to receive a contract. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and be sure you understand the payment schedule. When you feel comfortable with all aspects of the contract, sign it, return the paperwork to the venue, and pop some bubbly!

Left Photo: One Eleven East, Neva Michelle Photography, Laurel and Finch, Kaitlyn Harris BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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V ENUE G UI DE

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Castle Heights Bijoux

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$950

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Cathedral Oaks

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$4000

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Fossil Creek

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$7,000

HighPoint Estate

300

La Rio Mansion

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One Eleven East

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Shady Villa Hotel

200

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Snyder River Ranch

215

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The Exchange Event Center

600

$1750

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The Lodge at the Harvey 5 Ranch

400

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The Vineyard at Florence

300

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Vintage Villas

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Carleen Bright Arboretum

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per person

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linens

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chairs

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tables

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outdoor ceremony option

$100

on-site coordinator

indoor ceremony option

Finding the perfect venue is much more than just aesthetics... from capacity, ceremony options, on-site lodging, tables and chairs included, all-inclusive packages and so much more - we've done the research for you! Use the guide below to help you get started on finding the perfect venue to tour for your big day!

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Once you’ve narrowed down your list and scheduled some site visits, you have to know what questions to ask! To make this task easier, we’ve come up with this comprehensive list of questions to ask a wedding venue—before you put down a deposit.

QUESTIONS TO ASK • Is my date available?

• How many people can the venue hold?

• Can I get a list of what the rental includes?

• Are there any restrictions on event times?

• Do you have a open vendor policy?

HighPointe Estate, Neva Michelle Photography, Confetti Rentals

• How any hours does the rental fee cover?

• When can I access the venue for setup?

• What is the deposit amount required?

• What payment plans are available?

• What is the cancellation policy?

• Is there backup plan for outdoor weddings?

• Is there a place for the bridal party to get ready?

• Are there any other weddings that day?

• If the ceremony and reception are in the same place, how long will it take to convert the space?

• Is there plenty of parking and is it free?

• Is wedding insurance required?

Vintage Villas, Neva Michelle Photography, Bennet Events, Confetti Rentals, Woods Flowers

• Are there restrictions on decorations?

• Is there a kitchen available for catering?

• Can we bring in our own alcohol and is a bartender required?

• Will there be a site manager?

• Are there speakers available or will our DJ need to provide them?

• Are there security guards on staff or will we need to hire them?

• Is there on-site lodging?

• Do you have all inclusive packages?

• Is there an additional fee to have the rehearsal the night prior?

• Can I setup the day prior? If so, is there a fee?

La Rio Mansion, Neva Michelle Photography, Weddings By Shauna, Creative Innovations, Confetti Rentals

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CATHEDRAL OAKS EVENT CENTER 1312 Waco Road, Belton, TX 254-939-6257 | info@cathedral-oaks.com Cathedral-Oaks.com Celebrate your special occasion in style at Cathedral Oaks Event Center.

Nestled on over six oak-covered acres in Belton, Texas, Cathedral Oaks is Central Texas’ premier location for weddings, receptions, and more. The primary event center, at over 6800 square feet, was designed from the ground up with flexible spaces to easily accommodate the needs of any event. The natural beauty of the landscape transitions throughout the venue with panoramic windows, hardwood floors, limestone accents, high vaulted ceilings, and exposed wood beams. Ornamental iron, custom chandeliers, and polished stone add inviting and elegant touches throughout the space. Custom landscape lighting showcases the majestic century oak trees. These are amongst the many subtle features which demonstrate the comprehensive attention to detail in the design of the venue.

Cathedral Oaks offers unparalleled flexibility with both indoor and outdoor ceremony options. The large, covered patio and Live Oak room serve as additional entertaining spaces so that your guests may comfortably transition through ceremony, cocktail hour, and reception. The bridal suite and groom’s loft offer spacious private accommodations for the wedding party that are as practical as they are luxurious.

Let their knowledgeable and courteous staff guide you through seamlessly planning your special event at the perfect place!

MAGNOLIA HOUSE AT CATHEDRAL OAKS 1312 Waco Road, Belton, TX 254-939-6257 | info@cathedral-oaks.com Cathedral-Oaks.com Located at Cathedral Oaks in Belton, Texas, The Magnolia House is an ideal setting for intimate events including weddings, bridal showers, rehearsal dinners, and more. As the original homestead on property, dating from the 1850’s, The Magnolia House at Cathedral Oaks is appointed with historical finishes throughout the venue. Original hardwood floors, crown molding, hand-blown and stained-glass windows, and antique furnishings transition throughout the space, which is just over 3000 square feet. Charming white picket fences surround the spacious manicured lawn and garden, which is ideal for ceremonies, cocktail parties, and outdoor entertaining. The central event space is surrounded by panoramic windows which flood the room with natural light by day and provide stunning views of the lighted century oaks by night.

The Magnolia House at Cathedral Oaks offers flexibility with both indoor or outdoor ceremony options, as well as spacious and convenient accommodations for the wedding party with the bridal suite and groom’s study.

Enjoy an effortless planning process with help from their friendly and knowledgeable staff. Experience the atmosphere that evokes the warm feelings of home. Gather at The Magnolia House at Cathedral Oaks for your special event.

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PAV I LI ON AT T H E A R B O R E T U M

YOUR S P E CIAL DAY YOU R WAY. Centralized venue 16 acre arboretum property Accommodates 360 guests Choice of vendors

Woodway, TX 76712 254.399.9204 discoverwoodway.com

DOWNLOAD THE DISCOVER WOODWAY APP TODAY.

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254-563-5518 Hello@TheHaletHouse.com TheHaletHouse.com BR IDA L S H OWE R S , B AC H LO R ET TE PARTIE S AN D ACCOMODATION S

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Picturesque views and Texas charm Located in the heart of Central Texas, Deerfield Estates is the perfect blend of rustic charm and elegance making it one of Central Texas’ premiere wedding venues.

915 SPRING LAKE RD. WACO, TX | 254.284.0070 | DEERFIELDVENUE.COM

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THE LODGE AT THE HARVEY 5 RANCH 5088 FM 2412, Gatesville, Texas 76528 (254) 410-7079 | Jaci.Stroder@harvey5lodge.com Harvey5lodge.com The Lodge at the Harvey 5 Ranch offers a unique wedding and event experience on the Central Texas Hill Country’s edges.

Located outside Gatesville, Texas, the Lodge at the Harvey 5 Ranch sits on 225 scenic acres along the Leon River and offers 10,000+ sq feet of interior space, along with over 8,000 sq feet of covered porches and acres of landscaped yard to host any indoor, outdoor, or combination wedding or event.

On-site lodging is available in the main house, along with 8 individual cabins to allow for a unique “get-away” wedding or event close to home. The Lodge at the Harvey 5 Ranch can provide all-inclusive event packages or a-la-carte options as well. Come experience a perfect mix of modern and rustic, simple and spectacular at The Lodge At The Harvey 5 Ranch!

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Indoor + Outdoor Wedding Ceremony and Reception Venue With on-site lodging (254) 410-7079 | HARVEY5LODGE.COM | JAYCI.STRODER@HARVEY5LODGE.COM | GATESVILLE, TX

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BLISS WEDDING PROS PLANNING & DESIGN VENUE R E N TA LS

/ BENNET EVENTS

/ OLD BETHANY

/ P E N D L E Y PA R T Y DRESS

FLORAL

PHOTOGRAPHER

/ WOLFE FLORIST

BEAUTY

/ PA P E R D O O D L E S

STAT I O N E RY

/ G E O R G I O ' S B R I DA L

/ CALLIE RING PHOTOGRAPHY

BOUNCE HOUSE

MODEL

/ G L A M O U R B E AU T Y & C O .

CAKE

/ SWEETNESS DESSERTS

/ T H E M O D E R N H O U Z Z PA R T Y

/ K AT E E S T R A DA

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CA PTU R IN G YO UR DAY What remains after the I do’s are said, the cake is cut, and the bouquet is tossed? It’s the many incredible memories found in your photo album and video. Your wedding photos and videography are something you will hold dear for decades to come. If your house is burning down, chances are, your wedding photos and video would be one of the few things you will grab at a moment’s notice before dashing to safety. It’s safe to say, two of the most important decisions couples have to make are choosing a wedding photographer and videographer.

Your photo album and video are meaningful wedding keepsakes and they speak volumes about the atmosphere, style, and emotions of your wedding day. When researching photographers and videographers, crucial considerations include professional skills, style, and reviews.

You should choose your photography style before you even reach out to potential photographers. If you book first then learn about the style later you may end up with photos that don’t match your vision. Today’s most popular wedding photography styles of editing include dark and moody and light and airy. Dark and moody images tend to have a more emotional vibe with deep shadows, higher contrast, and more vibrant colors. Light and airy photos are more romantic and whimsical with muted colors and lighter tones.

Like your photographer, videographers take different approaches to their craft. There’s no doubt a professional wedding video is something you will cherish as you get to look back and see the live action you missed when you were busy greeting guests or dancing with your grandpa. You’ll have a record of your dance with your dad, your bouquet toss, and relive the emotions saying your vows. Before you begin shopping for a videographer, figure out which directional approach most appeals to you and how you want the video to feel. Many videographers have a variety of styles such as documentary, which is closer to a raw documentary film, or cinematic, which captures details from every angle with a Hollywood feel.

Most photographers and videographers can be booked up to a year in advance and some only shoot one wedding per weekend, so book as soon as possible to be sure that wedding is yours!

PRO ADVICE Choosing a photographer can be one of the toughest decisions you’ll make when trying to find your dream vendors. When searching for a photographer, make sure that you love their style of work. This includes the way they edit their images, how they capture a wedding day and the sessions prior. It is also important that you like them as a person. Your photographer is someone you’ll likely be spending most of your time with on your wedding day as well as during the planning process. Remember - we’re there to document everything (or we should be!). Make sure you enjoy their company and feel comfortable with them. The more comfortable you feel, the more you’ll be able to trust them and relax, which will only help in getting you the absolute best images possible!

Once you’ve chosen your photographer…

TRUST THEM! Trust that they know what they’re doing and only have your best interest at heart and strive to give you the best experience possible. Most likely the photographer you choose has been around the block a time or two so they are a great resource to use doing the planning process, for recommendations, timeline, etc.

LIZA SPURLOCK

Wild & Untamed Photography Left and Above Image: Wild + Untamed Photography BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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PHOTOGRAPHY STYLES A photographers style varies based on their approach (how they set up a shot) then how they edit that shot. Do they specialize in directed/posed shots or candid photos? Do they edit their photos to be light and airy, true to color, or dark and moody or a mix of two styles? Below we are going to describe a few styles to help you learn what your favorite style of photography is!

L I G H T & A I RY

F I N E A RT

Bright, often pastel, with light highlights and almost no shadows.

The photos have a whimsical, almost fairy tale like feeling.

Callie Ring Photography

Gaby Caskey Photography

Softer and more delicate than traditional. This style plays especially well with bold, bright color and pretty outdoor weddings!

M O O DY

FILM

Unlike digital photos, film pictures are distinguished by soft, muted tones, creating a special nostalgic atmosphere.

Sweet Valley Photography

Wild & Untamed Photography

Muted, dark, shadowy photos that often feel emotional & stoic. Colors will be more muted and darker.

TRADITIONAL

E D I TO R I A L

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This style is like having your photoshoot, like something you'd see in a bridal magazine. Literally Picture Perfect!

Carmen J Williams Photography

These are normally formal, posed photos taken at eye level.

This style stands the test of time because of its classic look.

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CALLIE RING PHOTOGRAPHY CallieRingPhotography@gmail.com CallieRingPhotography.com

My passion is to photograph the love story between couples.

My style can be described as classic, elegant, timeless, and romantic.

I will capture your love story with dreamy rich tones, and soft sweet light.

Your wedding day is one of the most important days of your life, therefore I edit my photos to look natural, keeping realistic colors and tones.

25+ years from now, you'll look back at your photos with your friends and family and still find them to be timeless throughout the years.

I am based in Central Texas, However I serve Clients all over Texas and beyond. I specialize in mixing in natural, posed portraits along with candid moments.

Photos are a big responsibility in preserving your legacy / memories. I take on this responsibility seriously, yet light-heartedly. making the experience a breeze for my clients!

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CENTRAL TX | AUSTIN | SAN ANTONIO

ROBINROGERSPHOTOGRAPHY.NET ROBINROGERSPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM

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Insure Your Big Day and Relax Protect your wedding with Front Row Insurance Online event liability for your wedding in under 5 minutes!

Starting at just $100

Get a free quote 24/7 and buy online:

https://events.frontrowinsurance.com/us BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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Tuscan Elegance

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BLISS WEDDING PROS PLANNING & DESIGN

/ BENNET EVENTS VENUE

R E N TA LS BEAUTY

PHOTOGRAPHER

/ V I N TA G E V I L L A S

/ C O N F E T T I R E N TA L S

F LORAL CAKE

/ G L A M O U R B EAU T Y & C O .

MODEL

/ N E VA M I C H E L L E P H O T O G R A P H Y / WOODS FLOWERS

/ S I M P LY D E L I C I O U S B A K E R Y DRESS

/ GEORGIO'S BRIDAL

/ MEGAN DEHMER

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FI ND IN G YO UR STYL E Gorgeous blooms can make the look of your wedding day when you work with a floral designer that understands your vision and helps you to enhance it! When it comes to wedding décor, flowers are essentially the star, taking a leading role in both your ceremony and your reception. They help set the mood, enhance the color scheme, and can carry the entire theme. Whether you already have ideas of your own regarding your wedding flowers or, you aren’t sure where to start or need help following through with your style, your florist will be able to communicate with you and master the vision you have.

Choosing specific flowers for your wedding can be a little overwhelming, especially if you aren’t really a “flower person” and can’t tell a rose from a ranunculus.

Finding the floral style that’s right for you is a lot like finding your personal style.

Its much more than just specific flowers, but also the overall design to take into consideration.Not to worry, we’ve put together a list of the most popular wedding bouquet styles. These are styles we love and see most frequently, from formal and traditional to garden or natural we will cover all of the basics!

Wolfe Florist / Sweetness Desserts / Callie Ring Photography

Branch & Bloom | Angel Owens Photography

HighPointe Estates | Neva Michelle Photography

Above: Laurel and Finch | Neva Michelle Photography

OVER THE TOP FLORAL INSTALLS

GROUND FLORALS

COLORFUL + CLOUDLIKE DESIGNS

If you're looking to go all out for your wedding, you're not alone. After the past two years of wedding postponements, vendor availability (or lack thereof), and ever-evolving health and safety guidelines... the arrival of your big day is a huge cause for celebration. It's no wonder that couples want their wedding day to be a completely unforgettable event, which is why 'bigger is better' is a common theme for wedding florals!

Using flowers on the ground to decorate your aisle or ceremony is stunning and helps set the tone for the rest of your wedding! The best part about lush ground florals or greenery is they can be used again down the center of a long table, or added in front of your cake table or sweetheart table or even lined outside for your grand exit! There are so many possibilities and the options are endless.

Ethereal, cloudlike arrangements that cover arches, backdrops or used as main centerpieces.

Baby's breath, or gypsophila, is the go-to for these types of arrangements—and while it's traditionally seen as a 'filler flower,' florists are coming up with new and gorgeous ways to use baby's breath to make it the center of attention. Baby's breath naturally blooms in a handful of colors, including white and pink, the tiny buds can easily be spray painted or dyed to match almost any color palette.

Left Image: Carmen J Williams Photography

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Beautiful music FOR ALL OCCASIONS

GRETCHEN WILLIAMS, HARPIST WEDDINGS | RECEPTIONS | DINNERS

2 5 4 - 6 9 9 - 9 0 5 0 • www.ce n tex h a rp i s t .co m

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STYLED SHOOT

all you need is love

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BLISS WEDDING PROS PLANNING & DESIGN VENUE R E N TA LS BEAUTY

/ BENNET EVENTS

PHOTOGRAPHER

/ T H E L O D G E AT T H E H A R V E Y 5 R A N C H / C E L E B R AT I O N S E V E N T R E N TA L S

/ B E .Y O U .T I F U L S A L O N MODEL

DRESS

/ CALLIE RING PHOTOGRAPHY F LORAL

STAT I O N E RY

/ BRANCH & BLOOM

/ WAT S O N W E D D I N G S

/ GEORGIO’S BRIDAL

CAKE

/ CUPPIECAKES

/ COURTNEY QUINTERO BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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R E N TA LS & D ECO R When it comes to hiring wedding vendors, some are more obvious than others. You wouldn’t dream of having a wedding without hiring a photographer, but a rental company should be high on your list of priority vendors as they create your event’s overall look and feel. We’re here to tell you why working with a rental company can help you create the wedding of your dreams while relieving you of stress, time and how DIY should not be your go-to option when you think of the budget. Some wedding venues may include rentals like tables, chairs, china, etc., in their packages. However, some do not—or you may not love what is included. In most cases, booking a wedding rental company is a must even with those things included. Wedding rental companies tend to offer a wider selection of items so that you can find tables, chairs, and more that fit your wedding theme and style.

Rental companies carry a variety of items such as tables, chairs, dance floors, linens (tablecloths, napkins, chair covers, etc.), drapery, lighting, furniture, audio/visual equipment, tents, vases, and other vessels, china, barware, flatware, glassware, signage, and much more! Here are a few reasons hiring a rental company should be a must on your to-do list.

Celebrations Event Rentals

RSVP Event Rentals

Pendley Party Productions

Cohesive style: When it comes to designing your wedding, the options are literally endless. Even if you’ve narrowed down that you want a vintage bohemian look, deciding on the design elements to execute that style can be overwhelming. This is where a rental company makes things so much easier! From candlesticks to couches, the rental company has already curated a selection of items and often even organizes their stock by wedding style (e.g., rustic rentals, industrial rentals, etc.). Whether you’re designing a lounge area for the reception or arranging a welcome vignette at your ceremony, the rental company has a select number of pieces you can mix and match to perfectly carry out your vision.

Saves time and money: You already have enough on your plate with planning a wedding — let someone else do the hard work of sourcing your decor elements! Many couples get in over their heads with wanting to thrift or DIY every piece of decor for their wedding, not realizing how many pieces they will need to find or create, not to mention the expensive price tag of doing it yourself. Working with a rental company is actually the more budget and time friendly option! Besides, do you really want to be stuck with 150 chargers or glass candle holders after your wedding is over? Unless you’re getting into the wedding planning business after saying “I do,” it’s best to borrow the stuff you need for the one day you’ll use it than to take up stock in enough glassware to fill your whole kitchen.

Delivery and setup: Are you working on the day of your wedding or are you getting married? If there’s one thing you don’t want to worry about on your wedding day, it’s the transport of a bunch of furniture to and from your venue, setting it up, getting sweaty and worn out hours before walking down the aisle. Before you even say it - no its not a day for your parents, relatives or friends to pitch in either! Its their day to enjoy watching you get married. One of the perks of hiring a rental company is that they take care of getting your rentals to the wedding and back to their warehouse safe and sound. No need to stay after the party to break down the party and drive a big ole U-Haul of decor home after the party is over because a professional has got it covered!

Left Image: Neva Michelle Photography, HighPointe Estate, Confeeti Rentals Above: Left to Right: Neva Michelle Photography, Sweet Valley Photography, Neva Michelle Photography BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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Davello Photography

CONFETTI RENTALS 2802 Capitol Way | Belton, Texas 76513 (254) 939-3302 | confettirentals@embarqmail.com Confettirentals.net Confetti Rentals was established in 2003 and has helped Central Texas brides design love stories ever since! Confetti is located in Central Texas and serves Belton, Temple, Salado, Waco, Harker Heights, Killeen, Ft. Hood, Georgetown, and surrounding areas.

Their team of talented designers is style-conscious and work with you one-on-one while guiding you through the process. The best part? They can tailor your event rentals to your individual budget and style.

“At Confetti Rentals, we consider ourselves purveyors of pretty... collectors of the classics and the curious, unabashed hoarders and delighters in good design. With over 17 years in the event industry, you could say we rock it! “The perfect event never just happens,” Chris has been known to say. Pulling off perfectly planned and stunning events is simple...said no one ever. Until now. “Confetti does it all...we design it, clean it, count it, pack it, load it, deliver it and install it...so you can look pretty! Our designers help create something so special and on budget that your guests will be talking about your wedding for years to come!”

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WEDDING PLANNINg & Event RENTALS

WWW.CELEBRATIONSSHOPPE .COM info@celebrationsshoppe.com • 893 E FM 93 • Temple, TX • 254.314.2415

RSVP

EVENT EQUIPTMENT RENTAL 4 . . To w n e O a k s D r. | Wa co , T X

TENTS, TABLES, CHAIRS, LINENS, LIGHTING, CHINA, DECOR AND MORE!

..4.........

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r s v p wa co t x . co m

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Summer Soiree

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BLISS WEDDING PROS PLANNING & DESIGN

/ W E D D I N G S BY S H AU NA

PHOTOGRAPHER VENUE

/ C AT H E D R A L O A K S STAT I O N E RY

DRESS

R E N TA LS

/ P E N D L E Y PA R T Y

/ CARMEN J WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY FLOR AL

/ WOLFE FLORIST

/ PA P E R D O O D L E S

/ GEORGIO'S BRIDAL

CAKE

BEAUTY

CAT E R I N G

/ T C P C AT E R I N G

/ B E .Y O U .T I F U L S A L O N

/ ALL SUGAR'D UP

MODEL

/ LIZZIE SLUDER

CAKES + CONFECTIONS 78

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HAVE YOU R CA K E & E AT I T TO O !

Before you book your cake, you’ll want to do your research and make sure you have an idea of what you have your heart set on. Do you want a large three-tier cake or multiple cakes? Do you love the look of fondant or is butter cream frosting your must have?

Of course, if you’re completely unsure of what you’d like in a wedding cake, a great baker will certainly guide you through your options. It also helps to come prepared with inspirational images to visually explain exactly what you have in mind. Cakes are an art form and not all bakers have the same skills, or level of experience. But, we are confident that if you choose a Bliss Wedding Pro, you’ll be in great hands!

Slice of Advice: In some cases there maybe cake left over, don't let it go to waste! For those left overs, or for guests not wanting cake at that exact moment, have some cute to-go boxes made with your new last name and wedding date and have left overs boxed up for guests to grab as they leave. Add a to-go fork in the box - it makes it easy for those late night munchies!

Kim Dailey, Owner + Lead Decorator of All Sugar'd Up

Finalize The Guest List: When deciding what size cake to order, first look to your guest count. Generally, three tiers will serve 60-75 guests; you’ll likely need five layers for 200 guests or more.

If the reception is in a grand room with high ceilings, consider increasing the cake’s stature with columns between the tiers. You can even add florals in between for a more dramatic look!

Budget: There’s no use in being shy about the amount you’d like to spend on a wedding cake, so plan to discuss pricing either in the initial email or during an in-person meeting. If there’s a particular cake vendor you’d love to work with but think they may be out of your budget, don’t count them out just yet. In fact, there are plenty of ways to save money on a wedding cake and some vendors are happy to incorporate creative cost-saving techniques. Again, this is where it’s helpful to first determine your style so wedding cake vendors can give you an accurate quote rather than ballpark pricing.

Research: In the age of social media, many wedding cake vendors have an Instagram or Facebook page to easily access photos of their past and current work. In addition, they may have a more extensive portfolio on their website or even a hard copy for you to flip through in their studio. As you review samples of their previous work, ask key questions about their experience, their licensing as a professional baker, and wedding day logistics of delivery and set-up.

Be sure to search online for reviews and ask your other vendors if they would refer them. As much as reviews can be helpful, don’t take one bad review as your final decision maker. The term “bridezilla” is a real thing and some reviews may simply be that. If you see many reviews that are positive, that should be your final decision maker.

Schedule a Tasting: You’ve asked all the right questions, and now it’s time to kick back and let your taste buds do the work! Most wedding cake vendors will provide you with a range of flavor options to sample so you can truly experience their work for yourself. Keep in mind that this in-person meeting is about more than just tasting, but also provides you with an opportunity to see if your personalities mesh well together. Pay attention to their communication style and ability to hear out your ideas, ensuring the collaboration process is a smooth one.

Be Prepared: Before you schedule a meeting with a bakery, it will be helpful to be prepared. Have ideas in mind of how many tiers and the shape of your cake you are wanting. Consider flavors and know which ones are not options such as allergies or maybe you just really dislike like red velvet but your husband loves it? Don't get into a flavor war in the middle of your meeting. What type of frosting do you want? If you are wanting something smooth and artistic you'll want rolled fondant. As pretty as it is, some prefer the taste of buttercream. You might want to try both to see what you prefer! Although buttercream tastes lovely, the look will not be the same, nor are some designs able to be achieved as with rolled fondant. Will you want flowers, ribbon, hand-paintings, fondant flowers or geodes? These are things you will want to mention and show examples of in your meeting. Lastly, consider renting or buying a cake stand or dessert trays to add elegance and uniqueness to your display. Some bakeries rent them, either way you will need to make sure the cake stand is big enough to fit the size of your cake, so be sure to discuss the size with your baker before renting or purchasing.

Left Image: All Sugar'd Up, Callie Ring Photography, Watson Weddings, Confetti Rentals BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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Sweetness Desserts, Bennet Events, Pendley Party Productions, Old Bethany, Wolfe Florist, Callie Ring Photography 80

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CAKE STYLE S Whether its covered in buttercream or fondant you can't go wrong with these designs we gathered from a few of our wedding pros!

From handmade pastry flowers, to bright blooms, unique cake stands, or tiers galore, your cake is more than frosting or cake flavors, its a part of your wedding design! For some couples cutting the cake, it is just as important as their first dance or kiss. For others, its a fun photo op.

Whichever side you fall on, one thing is certain, the cake ranks high on a photographer's shot list and you will want it to be beautiful!

Sweetness Desserts | Neva Michelle Photography

Cuppiecakes | Jamey Laree Photography

Lily's Cakes | Neva Michelle Photography

TONS OF TEXTURE: From the texture on the frosting, to the handmade florals, these delicate details make for a modern but romantic design that is totally unexpected!

GOLD FOIL: This buttercream frosted cake with touches of gold foil and a few colorful blooms creates a simple but elegant design!

NAKED CAKE: Naked cakes are typically found in more rustic settings, but can be elegant wedding too. This cake features a hint of the naked look to give texture and contrast to the cake, and paired with stunning white blooms.

Simply Delicious | Neva Michelle Photography

Cuppiecakes | Angel Owens Photography

All Sugar'd Up | Alison Heffington

SIMPLE: This cake features a simple buttercream frosting design with the flowers and cake stand being the "wow" elements!

SEMI NAKED: We love how the cake slightly peeks through. Adding more frosting helps the flowers really shine here, giving off a super romantic feel.

TONS OF TIERS: This architectural six-tiered cake is embellished with gold foil edging, a mix of smooth and textured tiers and adorned with pretty blooms!

BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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Taylor Nicole Photography

200 COMMERCE DR. WACO, TEXAS SIMPLYDELICIOUSWACO.COM | 254.732.5333 BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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Industrial Bohemian

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BLISS WEDDING PROS

PLANNING & DESIGN VENUE CAKE

/ BENNET EVENTS

/ B AY L O R C L U B

/ CUPPIECAKES

DRESS

FLORAL

PHOTOGRAPHER

/ GABY CASKEY PHOTOGRAPHY

/ WOODS FLOWERS

/ GEORGIO’S BRIDAL

R E N TA LS

MODELS

/ C O N F E T T I R E N TA L S

/ S A R A H A N D J O S H UA B E A R D E N

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BAR 101 Weddings are all about the guest experience, and an important part of that experience often involves alcohol. It’s likely that the only thing you’ve thought about for the bar at your wedding is whether you’ll have an open bar or not, but once you book your bartending services, you will relize that there is a lot more to consider.

Many think that there is no reason to hire a bartender at all. Self-serve is easy enough, and anyone can pour a drink. While this is true, there are other instances that a bartender is a must have. Let's examine why you should hire an event bartender for your wedding and the benefits that it can give your wedding.

LIABILITY: Keep in mind that if an underage guest is drinking, they could leave the party and get into a wreck which could not only ruin your special day but, you could also be held liable for allowing minors to consume liquor at your event. This could be a huge liability issue. By hiring wedding bartending services, you can avoid this issue and have a wonderful time knowing that your guests aren't going to be overserved and that minors aren't going to be able to sneak drinks at a self-serve bar situation.

NOT ALL BARTENDERS ARE THE SAME: There is a huge difference between a “restaurant/bar bartender” and an “event bartender.”

Both know how to make margaritas, open wine bottles, and be the life of the party, but event bartenders have experience with improvising, troubleshooting, and problem-solving. A restaurant/bar bartender is in a building with an established bar area, ice machine, unlimited stock and mixers, and most importantly part of a structured system that should be running like a well-oiled machine.

An event bartender walks into the unknown. Event bartenders come prepared with a Plan B when things like this happen: • Forgot the knife to cut limes?

There is no kitchen with backup utensils to scrounge borrow from.

• Broke a case of champagne glasses for the toast?

There is no stock closet with backups.

• Unexpected rainstorm?

Quickly move everything undercover and reset to be event-ready for guests.

KEEPING THE BAR STOCKED: A good bartending company doesn't just supply the insurance, a bartender, and a portable bar; what is the most important for the success of the event is, the bar planning that starts weeks/ months before the wedding. An experienced event bartender will help you pick out a bar menu that fits your budget and tastes, help you figure out if you want to do a traditional toast with champagne glasses, maybe a fun themed shot, help you decide between renting glassware, cocktail tables, and a specialty bar or if that’s not in your budget, suggest other alternatives, recommend other reliable vendors, help determine last call, etc.

The Boozie Babe, Paperdoodles, Laurel & Finch, Neva Michelle Photography

BARTENDER RATIOS: We recommend a ratio of 1 bartender for the first 50 – 75 guests and 1 for each 50 – 75 guests after that, depending on what is served. If only beer and wine are being served at the bar, you can have fewer bartenders. For a full bar, with liquor and mixed drinks, you would definitely need 1 for every 50 or so guests.

pro tips: The placement of your bar is key. Consider placing your bar away from the entrance of your venue. We also do not recommend placing the bar and the buffet or food stations next to each other.

This helps avoid any potential “bottleneck” situations.

Have an additional bar set up when the guest count passes about 175 guests. This makes things run more smoothly and guests won’t have to wait in any long lines (especially during cocktail hour).

Make it pretty! Just as you spend time planning out details for other aspects of your big day, don’t forget to add a little touch of sparkle to the bar too! Your bar will be a focal point at your wedding and all of your guests will be hanging out here at some point throughout the event.

Left Image: Neva Michelle Photography, Celebration Event Rentals, Laurel & Finch, Kaitlyn Harris BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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204 N. MAIN ST. TEMPLE, TX 76501

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254.781.5555

|

TCPCATERING.COM

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You’re Invited to Try T3 The Gym! Come in for a FREE PASS!

For class schedule & more details: www.t3hegym.com BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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French Countryside

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BLISS WEDDING PROS PLANNING & DESIGN

/ BLISS BRIDAL

VENUE R E N TA LS HAIR

/ K Y R S T E N A S H L AY P H O T O G R A P H Y

PHOTOGRAPHER

/ SNYDER RIVER RANCH

F LORA L

/ C E L E B R AT I O N S E V E N T R E N TA L S

/ DAPPER & DASHIN CAKE

BEAUTY

/ WOODS FLOWERS

STAT I O N E RY

/ B E .Y O U .T I F U L S A L O N

/ L I LY ' S C A K E S

MODELS

/ PA P E R D O O D L E S

DRESS

/ MAIN STREET BRIDAL

/ TYLER & ADEMARIS PRICE BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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MUSIC Let’s be honest – Music is everything when it comes to your wedding. From the way it makes your guests and even more importantly, you feel when you walk down the aisle, to the vibe of your reception. It’s no secret music can make or break a party which means your music vendors need to be one of your top priorities when planning your wedding reception.

First, you need to figure out the style of wedding and vibe you are wanting. If you are going for a more elegant affair, hiring someone like Gretchen Williams, Central Texas’ premier wedding harpist to play while walking down the aisle or during cocktail hour would be a perfect fit! Or, if you are looking for a DJ– hiring one of our preferred DJ’s like, Wall Of Sound, G-Fire Productions, Good Times Productions or K&S Entertainment will keep the party dancing all night long!

Your wedding DJ is one way you can make sure your guests have a blast while also adding your own personal touch to the event. With either a band or DJ, you'll want to create a "do not play" list and a "must-play" list. Most DJ's will also be your emcee for your event and you will want to make sure you like their "onair" personality. Whether you choose a DJ or a band here are a few of the most asked questions when interviewing your potential music vendor.

• Can we see a live performance or video of your work?

• How many hours are included in the package?

• Can we submit a playlist, if so how many songs can be on it?

• If it is a band or muscian, can they play your favorite song?

• Can guests request songs during the wedding?

• Have you played in our venue? Is there any thing we need to ask the venue manager if not to be prepared the day of?

• Will you be using lighting or other special effects or is that an upcharge?

• What attire do you wear at weddings?

• If a stage is needed, what size of a stage will you need?

G-Fire Productions | Hip Pixel Photography

• Will you take breaks during the event? If so, what do you play during the breaks and how long of a break do you take? This mostly applies to bands and musicians.

• Do you have your own sound system or do we need to rely on our venues or rent equiptment?

• Do you offer any other services?

• How much setup time will you need?

• Do you have any references?

• Is there a deposit to hold our wedding date?

• How to payments work? Is there a payment plan or is the total amount due so many days before the date?

• What is your cancellation policy?

Wall Of Sound Productions | Angel Owens Photography

Great music will set the scene and maintain the energy you are wanting throughout your reception to ensure you and your guests have the time of your lives! Find the perfect fit in our directory, blissbridalmagazine.com or at the next Bliss Bridal Bash!

Left Image: Gretchan Williams- Harpist, Woods Flowers, Main Street Bridal, Neva Michelle Photography BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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HE PUT A

ring

O N IT. . .

now what ?

NAVIGATING YOUR NAME CHANGE AFTER YOU SAY “I DO”

You’ve got that shiny new ring, but now its time you show off that new name! Just because you have a marriage license with your new last name, doesn’t mean you’ve officially changed your name. If you thought that was the hard part, wait until you see the lines at the social security office and DMV. It’s a lot of work and by that we mean you’re about to spend a lot of time filling out government forms, listening to automated messages and standing in long lines. By the time you’ve worked your way through the process, you’ll have a wallet full of cards flaunting your new name. It will all be worth it in the end... but where to start? To save you some of the hassle we’ve put together a guide of what you’ll need to do, the order you’ll need to do it in, and exactly what you’ll need to have with you to make the process as painless as possible!

G E T YO U R M A RRI AGE L I CENSE & CERT I FI ED CO P I ES These documents are the most important part, and you can’t move on to step two without them. When you’re applying for your marriage license, ask if you can purchase certified copies in advance. We recommend buying three to start, this way, instead of having to go back to get copies, you’ll get your certificate and your certified copies all at once. Stash the certificate somewhere safe, but keep the certified copies on-hand. You’ll need them.

U P DAT E YO U R SO CI A L SECU RI T Y CA RD Now that you have proof of your marriage, you’ll need to let the government know which name you’d like to go by. You can either apply for a new social security card by mail or in person at your local Social Security office. If you plan on going to the Social Security office in person, save yourself some time by filling out the application for a social security card in advance. You will also need to bring the following documents: • Proof of Citizenship: your valid passport or a certified copy of your birth certificate.

• Proof of Name Change: a certified copy of your marriage license.

• Proof of Identity: This must show your name, date of birth or age, and have a recent photograph. (valid driver’s license, your valid passport, or a valid state-issued id card) • Your current Social Security card. You will keep the same number when your card is replaced.

Carmen J Williams Photography

did you know?

There’s a shortcut to all of this! Make it easy on yourself and fast-track your paperwork with name changing kits from sites like: • Hitchswitch.com • Newlynamed.com • Namechangekit.com

GET A N E W D R I V E R ’ S L I CE N S E After you’ve gone to the Social Security office, you will want to complete the “Application for renewal/Replacement/Change of A Texas Drivers License Or Identification Card” online.

You can do so by clicking drivers license forms at the bottom of the dps.texas.gov website.

Take the application and $11 with you to the DPS office (it can only be done in person).

Some DPS offices also let you book an appointment, so be sure to check beforehand.

When you go to the DPS office, bring the following documents with you: • Your receipt from the Social Security office (just in case) or your new Social Security card if you already have it.

• Your current driver’s license.

• A certified copy of your marriage license.

• Your checkbook or cash or they now also take debit and credit cards.

PASSP O RT S Now that you have your social security card and your drivers license, now you can get your new passport! All passport changes must be done by mail! You will need to complete a passport application online. (www.us.state.gov) You then will need to send the application and other documents to the U.S. Department of State.

• Send your original passport, certified copy of your marriage license and one passport photo with the application. You will want to send this by traceable mail.

• Your new passport should arrive in 4-6 weeks unless you expedite it!

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BEAUTY 101 We know you’re crazy busy choosing invitations, florists, bridesmaid dresses, and a honeymoon location, but don’t neglect one of the most important tasks of all- getting yourself looking and feeling great! More pictures will be taken of you on your wedding day than any other day of your life. So, how do you ensure you’ll be at your absolute best? First, keep in mind that how you look on your wedding day begins before that morning. Trust us, the results will be well worth it- plus taking a break from all those to-dos for a workout, or some pre-wedding pampering will help keep you sane.

If you’re not much of a makeup person, and even if you are, and no matter how good you are, if you can fit it into your budget, you should hire a professional makeup artist and hairstylist for your wedding day. The best part... we have done the hard work for you and compiled the best in the area!

HAIR Fancy and complicated updos are becoming a thing of the past. Brides are opting for more natural and relaxed styles that are easier to maintain throughout the night as well as enhance their daily appearance vs changing them completely. Think of styles like beautiful curls or loose waves with a simple hairpiece, buns, braids, or even a simple low pony tail.

YOUR GO-TO HAIRSTYLE: If you always wear your hair a certain way for special events and occasions, or you part your hair a certain way, stick with what you know and are comfortable with. Maybe you always wear your hair in big curls and part it to one side, you can do this for your wedding day too! Add a pretty hair piece, a designer bobbypin or clip to top it off to add that special touch! Sticking with that you know and love will help you feel like a glamorous version of yourself.

Courtney Yarbrough, Sweet Valley Photography

Glamour Beauty & Co., Kayla Sellers Photography

ADD FLOWERS: From flowers crowns to simple petals, dress up a simple style with some fresh blooms!

WAVES GALORE: Waves have made a comeback and we are here for it!

This timesless, elegant look is perfect for a variety of wedding styles.

Be.You.Tiful Salon, Wild & Untamed Photography

Courtney Yarbrough, Alison Heffington Photography

BRAIDS: Sides braids, fishtail braids, waterfall braids, and dutch braids are all the rave. These are the perfect touch for a boho style wedding or rustic wedding!

VOLUMUNIOUS CURLS: Large curls full of body give a polished, elegant look that it timeless. This hair style can go with almost any style of wedding.

ATTIRE: Some dress silhouettes call for different hairstyles. A high neckline might be too busy for your hair to be down. If you have no straps, or more of your neck and shoulders showing, this is a perfect opportunity to have your hair down. For styles with a open or low back, having your hair up will help showcase your beauiful gown!

If you have short hair and are considering an updo or wearing your hair down but worried it won't be long enough -don't fret! Clip in hair extensions or a Halo will save the day! Discuss these options with your stylist when planning your style.

Left Photo: Main Street Bridal,Hair: Dapper & Dashin, Makeup: Be.You.Tiful Salon, Kyrsten Ashlay Photography, Tyler & Ademaris Price BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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711 Austin Ave, Waco, TX • 254-339-1440 • ontheavenuewaco.com

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BLISS BRIDAL

254.722.5927 • @makeup_by_courtney BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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S TAT I O N E RY Left Neva Michelle Photography 102 BLISS BRIDAL

Carmen J Williams Photography

Mercy and The Wildflowers

Neva Michelle Photography

THE SUITE LIFE Your wedding invitations are your guests’ first peek into your wedding day, so you want to make them remarkable. Along with listing the location and time of day, the invitation hints at your wedding’s formality and style. Before you start searching for stationery, you should have an idea of the type of event you’re throwing- classic and elegant, casual and relaxed, or glamorous and modern before you start searching for stationery.

Think about your wedding colors and incorporate them into your wedding invitations and the rest of your wedding paper, such as escort cards, menus, and ceremony programs for an adhesive look. As you consider colors and patterns, be sure to think about shape, size, and text. Be wary of hard to read fonts and colors that blend into the background.

Callie Ring Photography

You will not need an invitation for every guest. Take a look at your guest list and figure out how many households need invitations before you give your stationer a number, as you may be able to cut your order in half. Be sure to order enough invitations for your guest list plus 25 extra if you need to resend an invitation or want some for keepsakes.

Remember to order your menus, programs, RSVP cards, and thank you notes with your invitations. This way, you can include all pieces in one order and save time and money. It’s also an efficient way to ensure your stationery has a cohesive look.

BEFORE THE WEDDING Engagement party invitations Save the Date cards WEDDING INVITATION SET Wedding invitations RSVP cards Direction information AFTER WEDDING Thank you cards Neva Michelle Photography

W E D D I N G DAY Welcome sign Sign-in book Order of events Seating chart Place cards Table numbers Menu Reception signage (bar, dessert table, buffet) Favor tags

A L L S TAT I O N E RY D E S I G N E D B Y PA P E R D O O D L E S BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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PAPERDOODLES C ent ra l Texas' Premier We dding St at ioner y Pro

Paperdoodles is the only store of its kind that is locally owned and operated in Temple just between Waco and Austin. They carry all things paper, along with a wide variety of novelty items, specialty brands, and gifts for any occasion. When it’s time to plan your special event, they will gladly help you pick out your invitations, announcements, stationery, and other paper goods that fit your taste, style, and budget!

1401 SOUTH 31ST STREET, SUITE C - TEMPLE, TX 104

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254.773.8331

| PAPERDOODLES.COM

just married I D EAS FR OM R E A L W E D D I N G S

Real wedding features are the source of some serious inspiration for new brides-to-be! We've compiled each of the following real weddings based on their style, unique details, and great vendors! They're an honest representation of our wedding pros work in action. Real brides have also shared reviews on vendors for you to learn what it is like working with them. We've done the research for you, now its time to get inspired, tab your favorite inspo and vendors and let the planning begin!

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Ally & Carlton Beck

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Kimmie Weems & Bryce Reber

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Allye Beth & Jaeger Bull

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Linzi & Dustin Riley

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Bethany & Daniel Whitling

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Madison & Dustin Wedelich

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Bianca & Eric Weiss

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Rae Larkin Williams

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Breanna & Tom Wolfe

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Revyn & Wade Retzlaff

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Courtney & Timothy Cynar

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Sara & Paul Sulinski

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Ellen & Daniel Bryant

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Sarah & Joshua Bearden

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Gretchen & Robert

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Sarah & Matthew Rieger

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Haley & Chase Ozment

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Sarah & Thomas Wozniak

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Hannah & Brian Clarke

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Savanah & Bertin Reynoso

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Jenna & Justin Warschauer

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Shannon & Alex Farmer

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Kaitlyn and Royden Ogletree

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Zaida & William Vega BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

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R E A L W E D D I N G F E AT U R E

Ally and Carlton Beck M a r c h 2 6 , 2 0 2 2 | M a d i Wa g n e r P h o t o g r a p h y

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Main Street bridal went above and beyond to help me find the perfect dress. They took their time to find out what I was looking for in a dress and had several picked out well before I arrived for my appointment. Once I selected my dress and the flower girl dresses, they took care of everything so I didn’t worry about a thing! It was perfect!”

“Confetti Rentals has everything you could ever want for your wedding day. They have a variety of styles and decor for every person. They are so kind and took care of everything. My decor was so beautiful!”

“Be.You.Tiful Salon made us all look and feel so wonderful. I’m so lucky I work with such an amazing team. I wouldn’t want any one else getting me ready. All of our hair and makeup stayed all night!”

“Sticky Bones hands down has the best food. He is so kind and took such good care of us.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

R E N TA LS DRESS

/ C O N F E T T I R E N TA L S / MAIN STREET BRIDAL

BEAUTY DJ

/ B E .Y O U .T I F U L S A L O N

/ G FIRE PRODUCTIONS

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Allye Beth & Jaeger Bull January 1, 2022 | Mary Fields Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Working with Shauna for my wedding planning was a breeze. She was incredibly intentional with making sure she knew everything about Our story and our wants. She took everything that we shared with her and did her best to make our wedding weekend a dream!

So seamless with nothing to overthink about, she exceeded all our expectations in every way! Weddings by Shauna is the best.”

“Amber, at Wolfe’s Florist, helped create my dream look for my wedding! She is truly so gifted at hearing our thoughts and then bringing it to life in flowers! I had told Amber that we wanted a “classic fun” look and somehow took those two words and created exactly what we were hoping for. The flowers really created the mood for the overall reception. I will sing Wolfe’s praises to anyone that asks! We could not have been more pleased with the end result: classic fun.”

From the first time I sat down in Courtney’s chair for my hair trial, I knew she would make the process carefree. She is upbeat, easy to communicate with, and just fun! She also provided hair and make-up for my wedding party. Having to get so many girls into full glamour, you’d think it would be hectic, but Courtney was calm while still working at a fast pace, getting everyone ready ahead of time. Her and the team gave us all the beautiful looks we desired and we were all extremely pleased! She truly made me feel like the prettiest Bride in the world.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS PLANNER FLORIST CAKE

/ W E D D I N G S BY S H AU NA

/ WOLFE FLORIST

R E N TA LS

/ SWEETNESS DESSERTS

VENUE

/ OLD BETHANY

/ P E N D L E Y PA R T Y P R O D U C T I O N S BEAUTY

/ MAKEUP BY COURTNEY

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R E A L W E D D I N G F E AT U R E

Bethany and Daniel Whitling April 09, 2022 | Baili Nettleship Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Kaitlin Deeb with Bennett Events truly made the wedding planning process stress free. She completely blew us away with her attention to detail, her willingness to help with any and everything, and her wedding wisdom. She took over all vendor communication for us and made sure that everything was perfect on our day. Not only was she knowledgeable, professional, but also extremely personable and a joy to converse with. Daniel and I knew we were in the absolute best of hands with Kaitlin!”

“TCP Catering gave us a great experience. Their food was delicious and their service for the day-of was outstanding. The staff that worked our reception were so thoughtful and quick to congratulate Daniel and I any chance they got. Not only were they great during our reception, but they made sure that Daniel and I had food boxed-up and waiting for us at the end of the evening!”

“Of all the many things that made our wedding so special, Moon River Ranch was at the top of the list. We were able to rent out their main lodge so that our wedding party and closest family could stay with us. That extra time with the people we love most is something we will cherish forever. Every single person enjoyed the beautiful scenery, animals, and rustic charm that Moon River has to offer. Not only was it gorgeous, but the staff was extremely helpful.

You can tell that all of the staff members love the ranch and work hard to create a welcoming atmosphere. They are also quick to accommodate any needs and their decor room was such a lifesaver!”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

PLANNER

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BENNET EVENTS

VENUE

/ MOON RIVER RANCH

CAT E R I N G

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Bianca and Eric Weiss September 18, 2021 | Moodyography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“I do not have enough words to say how much of a joy it was to work with Glamour Beauty & Co for our wedding! From start to finish, Phylicia was gracious, kind, and PATIENT! When we began to book our vendors, Phylicia assured us that she would take care of me and my makeup needs. She really delivered! I do not wear very much makeup and was looking for a natural glowy look. Phylicia totally understood my vision and made me feel so beautiful and confident. Her team is incredibly efficient. Including myself, there were 12 of us needing makeup and the Glamour team finished with time to spare. You cannot go wrong with these ladies!”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

BEAUTY

/ G L A M O U R B EAU T Y & C O

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R E A L W E D D I N G F E AT U R E

Breanna and Tom Wolfe November 9, 2021 | Neva Michelle Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Neva Michelle was wonderful to work with! Always on time, makes you feel comfortable, and her photos are just STUNNING!! What more could you ask for? I recommend her to everyone I know!”

“Laurel and Finch created the most beautiful floral arrangements I’ve ever seen. She did a wonderful job decorating everything I brought. I had individual cakes for my table centerpieces and the way she added to them with her floral accents was just perfect! I had nothing to worry about knowing Laurel and Finch was designing and installing my wedding florals”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

PHOTOGRAPH ER

/ NEVA M IC H ELLE

F LORI ST

/ LAUR E L & F I N C H

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Courtney and Timothy Cynar April 16, 2022 | Callie Ring Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Gerald Reddick with G Fire Productions created the perfect party atmosphere for our special day! There was music for every type of guest! The music flowed perfectly and our guest were literally dancing all night!”

“Let us do the cooking created the most delicious meal for our guest! They created an appetizer just for me and my husband!

The grilled cheese and tomato bisque Shooters were to die for!

Everything was flavorful and delicious! Their staff was very professional!”

“Ginny with Creative innovations is a floral visionary! She is the sweetest soul! I loved having lunch and bringing our flowers to life! She is very professional and delivered the most gorgeous pieces that were perfect in our ceremony space as well as our reception space! I don’t believe I have ever seen such a beautiful bridal bouquet!”

“Callie Ring Photography captured every special moment of our wedding story from engagement pictures, to my bridals, all the way to our special day! She has such a good eye for locations, and captured moments that we will look back on for the rest of our lives.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS PHOTOGRAPHY

/ CALLIE RING PHOTOGRAPHY

R E N TA LS CAT E R I N G

/ C O N F E T T I R E N TA L S

FLORIST

BEAUTY

/ LET US DO THE COOKING

/ C R E AT I V E I N N O VAT I O N S

/ G L A M O U R B EAU T Y & C O

MUSIC

/ G FIRE PRODUCTIONS

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R E A L W E D D I N G F E AT U R E

Ellen and Daniel Bryant February 19, 2022 | Sara Meg Photo

IN HER WORDS. . .

“The second we stepped foot in the Lodge at Harvey 5 Ranch we were in love with the incredible modern design. By the end of our tour, we both felt comfortable trusting that this venue would be the perfect spot to make our wedding dreams come true! They were extremely accommodating to our requests and we loved having the freedom to choose our own vendors to bring to the ranch. Compared to many other venues, Harvey 5 was just so customizable. Many of our closest family members stayed on property in the cabins so it felt like a retreat wedding even though it was just down the road! The cabins were so cute and convenient. The bridal suite was the perfect spacious backdrop for a sleepover and to have my girls and I get ready. Meanwhile, Sam entertained the boys with skeet shooting on property, burgers, and beer. They had an absolute blast and is one of my husband's favorite memories of the weekend. Jayci, our coordinator, worked SO hard to pull everything off the wedding weekend!

Overall, we had a great experience and are so happy with our choice of The Lodge at Harvey 5 Ranch!”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

VENUE

/ THE LOD G E AT H A RVEY 5 R A NC H

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Gretchen and Robert April 30, 2022 | Callie Ring Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Trusting someone to capture the most important moments of the best day of your life is difficult. I’m here to tell you that you will LOVE Callie and won’t have a single regret if you choose her for your wedding photographer. She was an amazing communicator leading up to our day and a vendor we never had a single worry about. She was prompt and has an amazing ability to command a large group of people in the most patient and pleasant manner. Our group can be a little distractable and she remained calm throughout and kept us on task. We only have our sneak peeks back and we are already in love with Callie’s work. She’s creative in her shots and we loved how excited she would get when she captured a photo that she knew we would love. We are so thankful that we chose Callie to capture the moments that will help us remember our day forever!”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

PHOTOGRAPHER

/ CALLIE RING PHOTOGRAPHY

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R E A L W E D D I N G F E AT U R E

Haley and Chase Ozment April 10, 2021 | Callie Ring Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Chase and I have been friends with Callie since high school and always loved her work, so when we got engaged it was a no-brainer to have her as our photographer. Besides saying “yes” to each other, it was the best decision we made!

We had a “Mini-mony” without a planner or coordinator.

Callie really stepped in and helped when things were falling behind schedule. I don’t know what we would’ve done without her! Her photos came out so airy and colorful, and captured everyone’s emotions so well. Callie gave us so many pictures in our gallery - it’s impossible to choose which ones to frame!

We still have our post-covid reception next spring and I’m so excited to see the way Callie captures that day, too. Her photography style is so classic, and she does such a good job of personalizing it to the couple. When I look at these photos I can feel all the emotions all over again, the love and excitement, the nerves and joy. Most of all, I love seeing my handsome husband and I on the happiest day of our lives and really feeling the love through the pictures she took. I know that we will use Callie in the years to come for family portraits and milestone life events.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

PHOTOGRAPHER

/ CALLIE RING PHOTOGRAPHY

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Hannah and Brian Clarke July 10, 2021 | April Mae Creative

IN HER WORDS. . .

“We chose Vintage Villas because of its all-inclusive options with in-house catering, the incredible modern interiors, and most of all, its picturesque location overlooking Lake Travis for our “Lake Como in Austin Texas” inspired wedding. Megan H, our coordinator at Vintage Villas, was so extremely helpful throughout the entire planning process. She always had super quick response times and always thoroughly answered every single questioned I asked. The venue was so accommodating for all our vendor needs and design schemes. We loved how much the venue coordinators were experienced with running seamless weddings. While we got ready, they made sure that my bridesmaids and I had everything we needed, including courtesy champagne in the bridal suite. We had our wedding on a hot July afternoon and Megan set up a complimentary infused water station for pre-ceremony refreshments while our guests waited for the festivities to begin. We loved the plated option for the in-house catering as it was so convenient for our guests and the food was absolutely mouth-watering and fantastic. Ten months later and our guests still rave about how much they loved our food!! At the end of the evening, Brian and I were pleasantly surprised when Vintage Villas upgraded our wedding night suite for us.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

VE N U E + CAT E R I N G

/ V I N TA G E V I L L A S

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R E A L W E D D I N G F E AT U R E

Jenna and Justin Warschauer S e p te m b e r 1 8 , 2 0 2 1 | S i m o n Ly P h o to g ra p hy

IN HER WORDS. . .

“The minute we drove up to Vintage Villas, we knew it was going to be THE place! The beautiful landscaping and amazing lake view were exactly what we were looking for. All that aside, once we met Erika, we were set, this was going to be our venue! Vintage Villas and Erika made everything so easy. Food, alcohol, seating, linens, and even some table decorations are included. They schedule tastings for you to pick exactly what you’d like on your menu. Our guests raved about the food! I already had an amazing planner, but Vintage Villas even offers a “day of” planner to assist with all things a bride shouldn’t have to worry about. One of the best things about Vintage Villas is the hotel on site. They have three huge villas that you can reserve for you guests. For our close friends and family, we offered them to stay on site with us. When the wedding was over, we threw an after-party in one of the villa lobbies. We had pizza delivered, played music, and danced for hours! It is a great option because no one can complain, since all the guests are part of your wedding! I can’t say enough great things about Vintage Villas. Are there things I would do differently if I could have a wedding-redo? Sure, but I would still pick Vintage Villas as my venue! Tip: breakfast tacos for your wedding favors is ALWAYS a good idea.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

VE N U E + CAT E R I N G

/ V I N TA G E V I L L A S

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Kaitlyn and Royden Ogletree O c t o b e r 2 3 , 2 0 2 1 | We d d i n g s B y To n y & E l e n a

IN HER WORDS. . .

“We booked Alice Allen Events for our wedding day nearly a year and a half in advance, and we are so glad that we did! My husband and I were clueless when it came to wedding planning, and Sarah made sure we didn’t forget the little things that make a big difference on the day of the wedding. We thought we loved her during the planning process and the run through at the rehearsal, but her and her team absolutely shined on the big day.

She made sure the vendors arrived, got their job done, and made everything seem so effortless. She truly listened to our wants and far exceeded our expectations. In short, Alice Allen Events made our wedding day the best day!”

“Glamour Beauty & Co created beautiful, timeless looks for each of the women that are so dear to me. Phylicia, always answered my questions in a timely fashion and managed her artists well.

She provided flexibility with her trial dates which helped me envision a very close picture of what I would look like on my big day. I am also thankful for a truly talented artist in Gabi Pray!

Gabi’s portfolio includes many face shapes and skin tones that she’s able to accentuate everyone’s best feature. Glamour Beauty & Co created makeup looks that translated beautifully not only in photos but also in person. We were provided touch up kits, but the makeup stayed on perfectly even after a Texas outdoor ceremony. I have never felt more confident than on my wedding day, I have Glamour Beauty & Co to thank a large part in that.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

PLANNER

/ ALICE ALLEN EVENTS BEAUTY

VENUE

/ OLD BETHANY

/ G L A M O U R B EAU T Y & C O

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R E A L W E D D I N G F E AT U R E

Kimmie Weems and Bryce Reber April 26 ,2022 | Stella Shots Media

IN HER WORDS. . .

“We loved our venue, Vintage Villas. There are so many beautiful areas to this Hotel! The gazebo with the lake in the back was the most beautiful part, it made for a gorgeous ceremony and photos. We loved all the greenery and the unobstructed views the background provided. It really looked spectacular no matter the time of day and made it so special to come back to the arch in each of my dresses with the different sun settings for photos as the night progressed. My guest loved Vintage Villas as much as we did and adored the flower all the flowers it had to offer. ”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

VEN UE + CATERI NG

/ VI NTAG E VI LLAS

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Linzi and Dustin Riley January 1, 2022 | Rick Davila Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“The wedding planning started with finding the perfect dress and after shopping around, I stumbled into Main Street Bridal.

I walked in and started to look around, while the stylist picked out a couple of dresses. I had my eye on one the whole time, we saved it for last and sure enough it was the one! The service while scheduling an appointment, during my appointment, again in my follow up appointment and during my fittings was nothing short of amazing! The moment I walked in the door everyone knew who I was and what dress I had come for. That small town boutique service is exactly what I was looking for and received!”

“I’ll be honest when I say a wedding coordinator was the last on my vendor list and I waited until two months before the wedding to find Hannah and I’m so glad I talked myself into having a coordinator! Hannah took over as soon as we had our first meeting and streamlined all communication and really took a load off my plate! She came in the morning of with a game plan and her director’s hat on and everything stayed right on time (we were even ahead of schedule) and the night went flawlessly!

Hannah was such a sweet soul with a calm and nurturing energy and that is exactly what every bride and groom (and mother of the bride) needs on their wedding day.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

PLANNER

/ W I L D H E A R T S C O O R D I N AT I O N

DRESS

/ MAIN STREET BRIDAL

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R E A L W E D D I N G F E AT U R E

Madison and Dustin Wedelich April 8, 2022 | Ashley Munn Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“I couldn't have asked for anyone better to photograph the most important day of our life. Not only did Ashley shoot the wedding perfectly, but she also surprised me and shot the rehearsal dinner. The pictures she captured are pictures I will reflect on for the rest of my life. Not to mention, she is an ANGEL and has the most generous heart. I could not recommend Ashley Munn and her team more.”

“I have been using Georgio's for all my dresses for the last 15+ years. They make every single person that walks through their door feel absolutely beautiful and like the most important client they have. I told them from the beginning that I wanted a bohemian beach dress and they picked the PERFECT dress for me to try on.”

“Courtney is the most perfect, personable, and professional makeup artist I could have asked for. She made my bridesmaids, Mom, and myself, all feel so beautiful. I wanted to make sure that I looked like a natural bride and she nailed the look. I couldn't imagine using anyone else on my wedding day for makeup.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

PLANNING & DESIGN BEAUTY

/ ASHLEY MUNN PHOTOGRAPHY

/ MAKEUP BY COURTNEY

DRESS

/ GEORGIO’S BRIDAL

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Rae and Kyle Williams November 20, 2021 | TBA Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Lily’s Cakes provides beautiful and delicious cakes! There are so many flavor options and every single one is great! She was able to incorporate all my favorites flavors into a beautiful, unique cake that completely matched my vision. The best part of Lily’s Cakes is being able to use her for many occasions to come!”

“The ladies from Be.You.Tiful Salon were wonderful and extremely friendly! They left my bridesmaids and I feeling so beautiful. The ladies were able to create unique styles to match each of my bridesmaids wishes and made the girls look stunning!”

“Evonne with Confetti Rentals was amazing. I can’t recommend the entire staff enough! She helped me create the wedding of my dreams from start to finish; from showing me all my options at our design meeting to last minute changes before our big day. She was so patient and gave some great recommendations! Our venue looked stunning thanks to Confetti Rentals!”

“Main Street Bridal provided me with the experience of a lifetime! All the staff are so kind and attentive to your needs. The ladies made me feel absolutely gorgeous and confident in every dress I tried. Sylvia was phenomenal during my appointment and was able to take my inspiration to find my perfect dress. Emma was so professional and kind whenever I had any questions.

Lastly, Graciela is AMAZING at what she does! Working with these ladies was a blast and I appreciate them so much! ” BLISS WEDDING PROS

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/ C O N F E T T I R E N TA L S

CAKE

/ L I LY ’ S C A K E S

BEAUTY

DRESS

/ B E .Y O U .T I F U L S A L O N

/ MAIN STREET BRIDAL

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Revyn and Wade Retzlaff October 2, 2021 | Kennedy Miller Photo

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Celebrations Event Rentals made our rental process so very easy! Their showroom allowed for us to setup and look at all items together, which made it so much easier to envisioning everything together! Madison is so easy going and helpful when chatting with her and they made the delivery/pickup process so seamless!”

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/ C E L E B R AT I O N S E V E N T R E N TA L S

DRESS

/ GEORGIO’S BRIDAL

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Sara and Paul Sulinski January 22, 2022 | Neva Michelle Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Choosing Neva Michelle Photography was one of the best decisions we could have made! Her work behind the camera speaks for itself, she is so talented. Going into the engagement photo session, my fiancé and I were both a bit nervous, Michelle quickly had us relaxed, laughing, and enjoying it! That same tone instantly carried over to the wedding day. She gave us a great variety of photos ranging from fun candid shots, beautiful flat lays, traditional portraits, and more. We are so thankful for Michelle!”

“My fiancé and I looked at several venues for our wedding before walking into HighPointe, immediately, we knew that this was the venue for us! When they say, “Thoughtfully Designed.

Artfully created for you” they really mean it! There is so much attention to detail at this venue as well as the Moonlight Bungalow, which we also used for our rehearsal dinner. All the staff is top notch and they all pulled together to make our wedding more than we could have dreamed. We also used HighPointe for our florals and that was one of the best decisions ever. Every floral piece was absolutely stunning. I am still in awe of every piece and I’m so grateful for all of hard work that was put into our wedding. Our entire experience with HighPointe was, in our opinion, perfection!

BLISS WEDDING PROS PHOTOGRAPHER VENUE R E N TA LS

/ N E VA M I C H E L L E P H O T O G R A P H Y

/ H I G H P O I N T E E S TAT E

FLORAL

/ H I G H P O I N T E E S TAT E

/ C O N F E T T I R E N TA L S

DRESS

/ MAIN STREET BRIDAL

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Sarah and Joshua Bearden April 16, 2022 | Magdiel Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“From the first time we met with Bricker at Bruner Events I could just tell how detail oriented he was. I told him my vision and he was not intimidated with the very small time frame we had to pull it all together. Booking with Bruner events took a ton of the wedding day stress away. I honestly had such a fun, good experience getting to pick out what decorations and flowers I wanted for my big day! Bricker was always one call away and extremely helpful in many different aspects. I can’t even begin to tell you how many compliments we got on his teams centerpieces and work throughout the venue.”

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PLANNER

/

BRUNER EVENTS

R E N TA LS

/ BRUNER EVENTS

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Sarah and Matthew Rieger Febraury 26, 2022 | Angel Owens Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Everything about The Lodge at The Harvey 5 Ranch is absolutely AMAZING! The people that own and run it are both dedicated and genuine and went above expectations for our special day. This stunning space was flexible enough to have both ceremony and reception inside. Even though the weather was dreary, everything was still so beautiful! We are very grateful for all the time we got to spend at The Lodge and for the incredible people we got to know!”

“I could never begin to say thank you enough to Jayci Stroder with Branch and Bloom! She is the most incredibly talented person that goes above and beyond no matter what. When I showed her what I envisioned for our special day, she took the ideas and came back with such beautiful floral designs- all within our budget! I am so thankful we got to know her while getting to enjoy her floral magic!”

“The two incredible ladies that run Cuppiecakes have always been dear to my heart since I have known them since highschool! Having them be the bakers of our cakes was the easiest decision. Branda and Susie made it such a seamlessly easy process and both cakes were delicious!”

“From the very beginning, Carlo Banda at Wall of Sound Productions was such a great guy to work with! His planning process kept all of our preferences in mind while making it easy to choose the best songs to have the best party! Throughout the entire night, Carlo made our special evening fun, exciting, and memorable, and we are so thankful to have gotten to work with him!”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

VENUE

/ T H E L O D G E AT T H E H A R V E Y 5 R A N C H CAKE

/ CUPPIECAKES

DJ

FLORIST

/ BRANCH & BLOOM

/ WA L L O F S O U N D P R O D U C T I O N S

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Sarah and Thomas Wozniak March 19, 2022 | Uncle Tio Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“There were so many wonderful people and vendors who were apart of our wedding, but the one that stood out the most to me was Sarah from Alice Allen events. After speaking with Sarah, I knew there was no one better for the job than her. She helped calm my nerves and eased my mind on anything that I was stressing over. Her and the team were truly amazing, very thorough, and professional, which I was very grateful for. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without Alice Allen Events. They truly made our dream day, our special day, come to life.”

“We wanted to do something different for our reception meal, something fun and unique. We decided to go with Hecho En Queso, a taco food truck. For us it was a no brainer having them be our vendor at our wedding. I was in constant contact with Brooke and she made me feel very confident in the food selections we had chosen. It was so delicious, we even went back for seconds! I highly recommend Hecho En Queso for your wedding or any party!”

“With the recommendation of our planner, I decided to use Courtney Yarbrough for our wedding day. As any woman knows hair and makeup on your wedding day is probably one of the most important things. Courtney and her team are the sweetest ladies!!

They took their time in working with each of my bridesmaids, asking them what they wanted and bringing that vision to life.

They used high quality products to ensure that our hair and makeup would not budge. Courtney, you and your ladies are absolute artists and y’all did such an amazing job!”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

PL ANNE R CAK E

/ AL ICE AL L E N EV E NTS

/ CU P P IE CAK E S

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RE NTA LS

/ PE N DLEY PA R T Y PR O DUC T I O N S

/ HE CH O E N Q UE S O

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/ M A K E UP BY C O UR T N EY

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Savanah and Bertin Reynoso March 19, 2022 | Jack & June Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“I met Holly, owner of Jack and June Photography, at a bridal show. We clicked instantly and I knew I wanted her to capture our day. She went above and beyond in so many ways to make sure we had an unforgettable wedding day.

Her and Tori were amazing! Throughout the warm day, they always made sure we were taken care of. They made us feel so comfortable in front of the camera. Our photos turned out beautiful and we loved that we received them in a very timely manner. Through this process we didn’t just have a talented photographer, but we also gained a lifelong friend.”

“We were so happy to have worked with Celebrations Rentals! They have a great selection to choose from and made the process so easy. They were very patient with me as I was deciding the perfect colors or even being undecided with small details. They gave great suggestions about things I hadn’t even thought of. They were very accommodating whenever I wanted to change or add something. I had a vision in my head and these wonderful ladies were able to bring it to life and make it even better.”

BLISS WEDDING PROS PHOTOGRAPH ER F LORI ST

/ JAC K & J UN E PH OTO G R A PH Y

/ L AU RE L & FIN CH CAKE

RE NTA LS

/ CU P P IE CAK E S

/ C E LE B R AT I O NS EVE N T R E N TA LS

DRE S S

/ G E O R G I O ' S B R I DA L

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Shannon and Alex Farmer February 2, 2022 | Ashley Munn Photography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“Bruner Events was recommended to me by my future mother-inlaw based on the amazing work he had done at several events she has attended. Working with Bricker on my dream wedding was flawless. He made sure that I had nothing to worry about and had the most amazing wedding day! I not once, was stressed about a single thing with Bruner Events as our planner. I could not have dreamed of a more picture-perfect day. The best part is, I gained an amazing friend!”

“The Baylor club staff were amazing. They went above and beyond to make my day more than I ever dreamed it could be!

I absolutely love the venue! They were on top of everything I needed from the start. All the guests continue to complement me on the food and venue to this day” “Ashley was recommended to me by a dear friend. Ashley Munn and her husband did an amazing job capturing the moments of my special day! From helping me bustle my dress to putting me at ease…the professionalism and integrity they show still blows me and my entire wedding part away!”

BLISS WEDDING PROS PLANNER PHOTOGRAPHER

/ BRUNER EVENTS

VENUE

/ ASHLEY MUNN PHOTOGRAPHY

FLORIST

/ L AU R E L & F I N C H

CAT E R I N G

/ B AY L O R C L U B R E N TA LS

/ BRUNER EVENTS

/ B AY L O R C L U B

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Zaida and William Vega April 16, 2022 | Measphotography

IN HER WORDS. . .

“La Rio Mansion was an incredibly beautiful place. It was spacious inside, the bathrooms gave you enough space to get ready, and everything was well organized inside. The location of La Rio Mansion is gorgeous, very calm, and open.”

“Woods Flowers had so many options to choose from, not only what kind of flowers but they also gave their oponion of different ways to display them in the venue. I loved the way they set up everything, it was all so beautifully. The combination of flowers and greenery was perfect.”

“Main Street Bridal really did an amazing job at finding a dress that I was looking for. They had gorgeous dresses to choose from.

They made me feel welcomed for the dress fitting, everything was well put together. They made it into a fun experience, and they included a sign welcoming me, my family and friends who came along. It was simple but very inviting. This is something I will never forget!”

BLISS WEDDING PROS

VENUE R E N TA LS

/ LA RIO MANSION

/ C O N F E T T I R E N TA L S

CAKE

FLORIST

/ WOODS FLOWERS

/ L I LY ’ S C A K E S

DRESS

/ MAIN STREET BRIDAL

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Bear Moose and Fox, Celebrations Event Rentals, Laurel & Finch, Watson Weddings, Cathedral Oaks

F U L L V E N D O R P RO F I L E S O N L I N E AT BLISSBRIDALMAGAZINE.COM

ATTIRE GEORGIO'S BRIDAL 510 Lake Air Dr • Waco | 254-772-0265 | georgiosbridal@gmail.com | Georgiosbridalsalon.com Georgio’s is celebrating its 19th year! They are a proud family-owned and operated business catering to your whole wedding party, including tuxedos. Georgio’s pride themselves on their customer service and individual attention to details from your gown, the accessories, and even through your alteration appointments. Brides travel from across Texas and all over the United States to enjoy the experience, diverse, and beautiful selection from some of their exclusive Central Texas designers. Book your appointment now with their easy online scheduling.

MAIN STREET BRIDAL 100 N Main Street • Belton | 254-613-5191 | mainstbridal@gmail.com | mainstreetbridalboutique.com Main Street Bridal is a full service boutique located in Downtown Belton. They strive to give you an experience of a lifetime when purchasing your dream wedding gown. You will find fabulous dresses for your bridesmaids, junior bridesmaids, flower girls, mothers, and tuxedos for the special man in your life. They also offer an array of simple to heirloom quality jewelry to choose from, including earrings, necklaces, bracelets, veils and shoes. Main Street Bridal is committed to being the bridal salon that offers the best service and value in a boutique environment.

BEAU T Y BE.YOU.TIFUL SALON 108 N. Main St. • Belton | 254-939-7499 | beyoutifulbelton@gmail.com | beltonbeyoutifulsalon.com BeYOUtiful Hair Salon provides award-winning wedding beauty services for soon-to-be newlyweds. Nory works alongside her skilled team of hair and makeup artists to create exquisite looks for her clients. They are truly dedicated to their craft and strive to enhance your natural beauty for your big day. Besides receiving an array of renowned certifications, they genuinely enjoy building their skills and their techniques. The BeYOUtiful team will work to secure your trust and comfort from the outset, allowing you to relax and unwind before your celebration.

BEAUTY BY KARA BETH 254-652-3765 | hairbykarabeth@gmail.com | beautybykarabeth.com Beauty by Kara Beth is a hair and makeup company providing onsite beauty services to brides in Central Texas and beyond. Kara Beth’s beauty professionals team is trained and equipped to create gorgeous, lasting looks for your bridal party. They provide bespoke beauty services customized to match your personal style and wedding day aesthetic and can service both small and large groups. With a variety of packages designed to suit your budget, location, and beauty needs, Beauty by Kara Beth would be honored to be part of your big day!

DAPPER & DASHIN’ SALON AND SHOP 3010 Scott Blvd # 102 • Temple | 254-295-0600 | dapperanddashin.com Award-winning Dapper & Dashin’ is a men’s grooming shop and full-service salon focused on providing an elevated hair experience through being professional, personable, and precise. Their experts will cater to your wedding party’s needs by providing your groom and groomsmen with tailored haircuts, relaxing signature hot towel shaves, custom black mask facials, and waxing. Reserve Dapper & Dashin’ for your wedding party today!

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B EAUT Y GLAMOUR BEAUTY & CO 254-833-7794 | info@glamourbeautyandco.com | glamourbeautyandco.com Glamour Beauty & Co is a team of master makeup and hair artists who provide luxury bridal beauty services to all of Central Texas and was awarded The Knot’s “Best of Weddings” award for the last two consecutive years. The Glamour Beauty & Co team services and celebrates all brides providing expert services to all skin tones, hair types, and age groups. Glamour Beauty and Co promises to make every bride a priority with prompt response times and attentive communication. Discover the Glamour Beauty & Co difference today!

HAIR & MAKEUP BY COURTNEY 254-722-5927 | cyarbrough411@yahoo.com | instagram.com/makeup_by_courtneyy Makeup by Courtney specializes in bridal hair and makeup. A premier makeup and hair artist in the wedding industry for several years, Courtney is trained in airbrush and traditional makeup and the latest bridal formal and informal hairstyles. From a dramatic look to soft natural glam. Courtney and her team will create the perfect bridal look for you.

ON THE AVENUE SALON 711 Austin Ave. #1 • Waco | 254-339-1440 | ontheavenue711@gmail.com | ontheavenuewaco.com On the Avenue Salon and Blowout Bar is the perfect place for you and your bridal party to get ready! Get your makeup and hair done, grab a drink and relax while their highly-trained stylists help you personalize your appearance and make you feel beautiful for your big day! Reserving the bar is like having a party before the party starts. You and your bridal party will get to toast to a fun-filled day, feel pampered, relaxed, and get styled for your event together. Want to get ready at your venue instead? No worries! They can also travel to you!

T3 THE GYM 2329 S 57th St • Temple | 254-742-2020 | t3hegym.com T3 and The Gym is the premier group training facility in Central Texas. Owner and Master Trainer, Ike Shaw, created Titan Total Training in 2009, but his vision was not complete until he acquired Gym X, now The Gym. After gutting and reconstructing the entire facility, his dream is now a reality he can share with the community. Along with his 18 years experience in athletics, body building and fitness, Ike brings an amazing team of professionally trained and certified class instructors and trainers that are dedicated to helping you achieve your goals for your big day!

CAKES + CON FECT I O N S ALL SUGAR’D UP 6320 N 19th St • Waco | 254-644-9492 | allsugardup@gmail.com At All Sugar’d Up they design each cake to match you, your special event or your individual personality. Whatever the inspiration, All Sugar’d Up works hand-in-hand to ensure it is the perfect sweet concoction for your celebration.

Whether you are hosting a small wedding or a large celebration, please call or message them, as they’d love to talk with you more about making your special day a little sweeter!

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CA K ES + CON F ECT I O N S CUPPIECAKES 313 S. Main St • McGregor | 254-840-7030 | cuppiecakesofwaco.com Cuppiecakes started with two best friends wanting to provide delicious cakes to the people they love. Ten years later, nothing has changed. Their goal is to provide customers with the best sweet treats and the feeling that they have been served by family. Cuppiecakes takes pride in closely working with individuals to create memorable cakes that guests will associate with a fantastic party! They can make your dreams come true and work with your budget. Go give them a try, and you’ll see why they are consistently at the top of so many recommendation lists.

LILY’S CAKES 360 W. Central Texas Ex, Ste #204 • Harker Heights | 254-319-3555 | lilyscakes.com Since 2012, we’ve been completely focused on creating a quality cake that tastes good, and looks amazing!

We specialize in fresh to order wedding cakes, custom cakes and cupcakes for your special occasions. Lily is expanding her range of area and is now taking clients in the DFW, Waco, and the greater Austin area. As the Food Network’s Monopoly Cake Wars winner in 2017, then Holiday Wars winner in 2018, our founder, Lilian Halabi brings her incredible talent back to Bell County! We’d love the opportunity to serve you!

LINZ CAKES 254-833-3300 | lindsay@linzcakes.com | linzcakes.com Lindsay Randolph, has been making cakes, cupcakes, and cookies for friends and coworkers for several years and decided to take the next step and made it an official business in 2020. "Each cake, cupcake, or cookie design is an opportunity to express my artistic side. Though I can work with fondant, I prefer to use buttercream because, honestly, it just tastes better! Flavor is one of the most important aspects of my cakes and I enjoy experimenting with interesting combinations. I look forward to meeting you and chatting about your next event!”

SIMPLY DELICIOUS BAKERY 200 S. Commerce Dr • Waco | 254-732-5333 | simplydcakes@aol.com | simplydeliciouswaco.com Simply Delicious Bakery is a locally owned and operated specialty bakery located in Waco, Texas! They specialize in making your cake & dessert dreams come to life! Simply Delicious has over 14 years of experience serving Waco & surrounding areas. Their cake creations will bring elegance and romance to your wedding or anniversary celebration with their unique themes and custom designs. They would love to be a part of your special day with cakes that taste as delicious as they look!

SUGARS BY LEAH 254-744-8267 | sugarsbyleah@gmail.com | sugarsbyleah.com Sugars by Leah is a home bakery in Waco, Texas that specializes in weddings, bridal showers, baby showers, and cookies for any occasion! Leah takes pride in the details and love she puts into each and every order. She looks forward to making your cookie dreams come true!

SWEETNESS DESSERTS 2034 N. Valley Mills Dr • Waco | 254-756-0590 | laura@sweetnessdesserts.com | sweetnessdesserts.com “We taste with our eyes, then with our mouths, so let every dessert be a work of art followed by a sense of Sweetness!” As a Certified Master Cake Decorator, Laura Summersett has been delighting brides since 2008, when she began creating wedding cakes from her church kitchen. In 2013 she opened her first storefront to better serve both brides and the community. “The wedding cake and groom’s cake were show stoppers! Absolutely stunning and exactly what my daughter visualized. And the taste... hands down the best wedding cake I have ever tasted.

Perfectly moist, so delicious.- Highly recommend!” - N. Hunt

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CAT ERI N G + D R I N KS HECHO EN QUESO 254-768-7336 | Hechoenqueso@yahoo.com | Laluncheonettetx.com Catering an event is more convenient than ever in Central Texas. La Luncheonette provides food truck catering through Hecho en Queso. Our food truck has been a local favorite since 2015 creating customized meals and menus for your big event. Chow down on Mexican craft food, or choose from all kinds of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. We always use fresh, local ingredients and flavor our seasonal dishes with homemade sauces. Be sure to try our awardwinning black bean and corn empanadas. Take advantage of our services if you don't want to worry about a thing.

LA LUNCHEONETTE 204 N Penelope, Suite B. • Belton | 254-831-1004 | Laluncheonette@yahoo.com | Laluncheonettetx.com La Luncheonette provides catering for your wedding or special event. Creating customized meals and menus including but not limited to our tamales, breakfast tacos, empanadas, Mexican and American craft food, or all kinds of Mediterranean-inspired dishes. We always use fresh, local ingredients and flavor our seasonal dishes with homemade sauces. Be sure to try our award-winning black bean and corn empanadas. Let us put your mind at ease with stress free catering that guests will leave talking about!

LET US DO THE COOKING 111 S. Main Street • Nolanville | 254-554-2665 | letusdothecooking.com At Let Us Do The Cooking, it is their goal to provide Central Texas with great home-cooked food at affordable prices with unparalleled customer service. This has been their mission since its beginning. Started by Meredith Viguers in a converted garage in her home, Let Us Do The Cooking has truly been a labor of love. This love for the food and people they serve has allowed them to continue to grow each year they’ve been in business.

ROAD SIPS roadsips@gmail.com | roadsips.com Road Sips is a full-service mobile bar rental servicing the Greater Central Texas area. Their trailer is perfect for any party or event and features a 2-tap draft beer system, plus everything you’d need for your bar. Road Sips offers a great variety of packages for every occasion and can also work with you to customize a package to fit your event’s unique needs. The nice thing about this mobile bar is that the party will come to wherever you are. Let the good times roll!

STICKY BONES BBQ 254-630-8647 | stickybonesbbq@gmail.com | stickybonesbbqtx.com At Sticky Bones BBQ, they pride themselves in bringing the ultimate barbecue experience. All recipes are homemade, passed down through generations, steeped with love and flavors that show their deep Southern Roots. Sticky Bones BBQ blends art and science to ensure every bite is moist and flavorful. They use only the freshest ingredients that are hand prepared to perfection. Their attention to detail is quality and is evident in every event they cater regardless of size because “At Sticky Bones, we prepare our food as if you are family!”

TANGLEFOOT CATERING jacob@trenopizzeria.com | trenopizzeria.com Tanglefoot Restaurants are the owners of Treno Pizzeria and Taproom, Bird Creek Burger Company, and First Street Roasters. They offer a wide array of catering options for your wedding or event. We can create a custom menu across various cuisines to fit every occasion and make every bride happy on their special day.

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CAT E RIN G + D R I N KS TCP CATERING 204 N. Main St. • Temple | 254- 781-5555 | tcpcatering.com TCP Catering has been cooking up something satisfying since 1979, emphasizing good food, for great people, at affordable prices. Whether your event has thirty guests or over a thousand, they can create a suitable menu for your needs. Their food creates an enjoyable experience that ensures they make each event and mealtime a memorable moment. No matter the size, TCP does all they can to genuinely understand their client’s desires. It’s their goal to exceed your expectations with exceptional service and exquisite food.

TEXAS PORCH AND TABLE 254-231-1476 | info@texasporchandtable.com | texasporchandtable.com Texas Porch and Table is a full-service customized catering company specializing in weddings, parties, and special events of all sizes. Every wedding meal should be memorable. They utilize fresh ingredients cooked as close to service time as possible and their innovative service techniques create a more personalized dining experience for your guests. These are just a few examples of their commitment to excellence! No matter the guest count, they will work with you and your budget to cater an event your guests are sure to leave talking about!

THE BOOZIE BABE 903-388-1876 | Thebooziebabemb@gmail.com | Thebooziebabe.com At The Boozie Babe we truly believe that it is all in the details. Our motto is fresh is best. We believe in quality over quantity and always have the best interest of our clients and providing the best experience for each unique event.

We offer custom cocktails, iced coffee, mock tails, frozen mock tails and so much! We can accommodate you and whatever you’re celebrating! Boozie Babe is looking forward to making your special event perfect & memorable.

ENTE RTAIN M EN T ARTHUR MURRAY DANCE STUDIO WACO 1411 N. Valley Mills DR. Suite 13 • Waco | 254-301-7125 | wacodance@gmail.com You Deserve the BEST First Dance! Learning to dance for a wedding is a special gift that you and your spouse-to-be can give to each other. A couple who feels confident and poised when they dance together will ensure that their very first dance together as wife and husband will be a memory they will cherish forever.

TOUR TEMPLE | CORKY'S BAR 13 S. Second Street • Temple | 254-314-2004 | Tourtemple.com

Tour Temple is a travel company that offers wine and beer tours within Central Texas and vehicle rentals featuring our 8-10 passenger limo and 14 passenger shuttle. Inside of Tour Temple you will find Corkys Bar, Temple's destination for live entertainment, receptions, showers, and other special events. Our wide range of events from comedy, live music to our tours offer the perfect outing for any bridal party to have the time of their lives.

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FLORA L BLOOM WACO 1020 Franklin Ave • Waco, | events@bloomwaco.com | Bloomwaco.com Bloom Waco is known for sourcing on-trend flowers and creating one-of-a-kind arrangements you won't find anywhere else. They offer stunning bouquets and curated arrangements that fit every event. Bloom Waco aims to bring joy and beauty to your event by featuring seasonal blooms grown and harvested from Central Texas soil. It is their priority to work directly with local growers to guarantee only the freshest flowers are picked each day! "We hope to become a part of your big day and bring joy, beauty and life to your event!"

BRANCH & BLOOM 254-760-2253 | branchandbloomflorist@gmail.com | Facebook.com/BranchBloomFlorist Jayci Stroder, the owner of Branch & Bloom, has always been driven by the creative process. When she was introduced to floral design, it was a match made in heaven. Jayci loves exploring all that the floral world offers by taking a creative approach to traditional techniques. For every event, she creates something unique that brings out the personal style of each bride. She is passionate about bringing to life each bride’s vision that will be cherished forever.

CREATIVE INNOVATIONS 1211 Stagecoach Rd. • Salado | 254-760-2620 | CreativeInnovationsWeddings.com Creative Innovations is a floral design studio that brings a creative perspective to every event. Owner and designer, Ginny Swalley, is known for her beautiful arbors, breathtaking bouquets, and lush greenery garlands. She provides every client with the same level of personal attention during the planning process, tailoring their services to each bride’s budget. Whether you’re in the midst of wedding planning or coordinating flowers for a special occasion, Creative Innovations will work closely with you to create unique floral designs and bring your vision to life.

LAUREL & FINCH 909 Burt Hollow • Hewitt | 254-640-0583 | lauren@laurelandfinch.com | Laurelandfinch.com We are a floral design company focused on weddings + events. Though a lot of our work keeps us in Central Texas, we love to travel + are always up for destination weddings in Texas and beyond. With a true focus on each individual client that crosses our path. Since we put all of our creative focus into weddings and events, we have better client interaction and fully understand our customers. We are incredibly detail oriented and thrive on making sure that your vision, no matter how big or small, comes to life on your special day.

NORMA'S BLOOMING BIKE 254-262-5962 | norma@normasbloomingbike.com | Normasbloomingbike.com Norma's Blooming Bike started out of the deep desire to create a life filled with love and daily enjoyment. Our desire is to bring joy and opportunity to our COMMUNITY. Bringing you flowers filled with intention and that is specifically curated for YOU is our goal. We understand the power of intention and help bridge the gap between local flower farms and consumers. We provide flowers for your daily needs, weddings and events.

WOLFE FLORIST 1500 Primrose Dr. • Waco | 254-752-3351 | sales@wolfeflorist.com | Wolfe-Florist-Waco.com

Wolfe Florist is a multi-service florist, offering fresh-cut flowers directly imported from around the world. Wolfe's is able to produce the highest quality arrangements for any occasion at prices to fit any budget. Weddings are our specialty and our team of designers will bring your vision to life. Owned and managed by fifth and sixth generation florists, the name "Wolfe" has been recognized for quality and service in the Texas floral industry since 1892.

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FLORAL WOODS FLOWERS 1415 W Avenue H, Temple | 254-778-8506 | Woodsflowersdesign-events.com

Established in 1950, the owner and designer of Woods Flowers, Carol Hajda, took over the family business in 1992.

Today you see her designs featured in magazines, bridal shows, and weddings all over Central Texas! Floral brings the entire vision of the wedding together, reflecting your unique style. Carol and her team want to help you bring your vision to life! “We want your flowers to be just as perfect as your perfect day!”

MUSI C G-FIRE PRODUCTIONS 254-291-5625 | GFirePro71@yahoo.com | Gfireproductions.com When hiring G Fire Productions for your DJ, sound and lighting needs, you can count on “Fun and Professionalism.”

They’re here to provide quality entertainment for all of Texas at affordable rates. Their DJs are professionals with years of experience in the wedding & entertainment industry. If you’re looking for customer-focused, attention to detail, flexibility, and sophistication, there’s no reason to look elsewhere! They're unique, and they offer amazing features such as “G Sparks” and “Dancing in the Clouds.” G Fire Productions wants to provide the best for your special occasion. Let’s party!

GOOD TIMES PRODUCTIONS 254-913-2388 | patricktrahan@goodtimesproductions.org | Goodtimesproductions.org We work directly with our clients or their planner to ensure that the music selected is not only appropriate for the type of celebration, but it meets the needs of the couple to ensure that everyone has a GOOD TIME! We keep your event stress free by taking care of the details prior to the event. We are an open genre DJ Service, so you will get the type of music you want. We offer our services throughout your wedding timeline and special event. For Cocktail Hour, we can also add in a Live Smooth Jazz Saxophonist.

GRETCHEN WILLIAMS, HARPIST 254-699-9050 | centexharpist@hot.rr.com | Centexharpist.com Harp music is elegant, romantic, and graceful, making it perfect for your wedding day. Gretchen’s incredible talent will leave your guests in awe! “I have been playing the harp all of my life, playing for events in the Central Texas area since 1980. I can provide music for preludes, wedding marches, and any other pieces a bride might want provided that can be played on a harp”. Music of the finest quality is Gretchen Williams’s standard, and we know firsthand, which is why she is our go-to when it comes to a Harpist in Central Texas!

WALL OF SOUND (254) 285-8707 | Wosproductions@hotmail.com | Wosproductions.com Since 2010, Wall of Sound Productions has been one of Central Texas’s go-to for DJ services, photo booths, uplighting, monograms, and more! Wall of Sound Productions is a team of 3 professional and experienced DJs that specialize in weddings and private events. With their passion for music and creating memorable moments, they can assist in creating a fun and exciting experience for you and guests to last a lifetime. They understand that it goes beyond just music. They believe each wedding they do is as unique as each couple they meet!

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PHOTO GRAP H Y CALLIE RING PHOTOGRAPHY Callieringphotography@gmail.com | Callieringphotography.com Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life, therefore I edit my photos to look natural, keeping realistic colors and tones, that way, when looking back at your photos you will still find them to be timeless. I will capture your wedding day as it unfolds. I specialize in mixing in natural, posed portraits along with candid moments. My priority as a photographer is to capture your wedding day down to the small details. Photos are a big responsibility in preserving your legacy and memories, therefore, I take on this responsibility seriously.

CARMEN J. WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY 484-225-2278 | info@carmenjwilliams.com | Carmenjwilliams.com Carmen J. Williams Photography is a husband-and-wife team providing wedding photography & videography services. Carmen and Jake are dedicated to capturing sincere moments with seamless experience. They provide custom wedding collections, including various lifetime heirloom albums, framed wall art, canvas prints, and highquality digital video of your big day. Carmen J. Williams understand the importance of capturing these monumental memories that will be part of your family’s legacy for a lifetime.

GABY CASKEY PHOTOGRAPHY 830-741-1113 | Hello@gabycaskey.com | Gabycaskey.com I've been photographing weddings since 2016 and excited to be serving you in the Central Texas area! My goal is to document your legacy through a joyful and relaxed experience. For my wedding couples, the story comes to life both visually, through your online gallery, and tangibly, through your first heirloom, your wedding album. I want each couple I photograph to leave their wedding day not only feeling like they had a great experience but also knowing that they'll have those moments photographed to look back on for decades to come.

JACK & JUNE PHOTOGRAPHY JackandJunephoto@gmail.com | JackandJunephoto.com When you book Jack & June Photography, you’re not just signing up for someone to take professional photos of your wedding day. You’re signing up for someone to fully invest their heart and soul in capturing the most honest, true representation of your love story. They have a way of making you feel like the most important person in the world; there’s an aura of comfort and confidence from their presence - something that you want on your wedding day. Their photos capture beauty and emotion while preserving your memories in the most authentic fashion.

KYRSTEN ASHLAY PHOTOGRAPHY 951-348-1633 | Kyrstenashlayphotography@gmail.com | Kyrstenashlayphotography.com I promise to go above and beyond for you each step of the way, from the second you inquire to the moment your heirloom album hits your hands. With over 150 weddings under my belt, you can consider me your right-hand woman on your wedding day to help pin boutonnieres, fetch tissues, or wrangle a runaway bustle all while being a world-class photographer catching all the important moments. I will never turn down sweets at a wedding. Ever.

MADISON KENNEDY PHOTOGRAPHY 903-390-8750 | Madisonnkennedyphoto@gmail.com | Madisonnkennedyphotography.com Texas based, natural light photographer that specializes in lifestyle sessions, portraits, and weddings. This job is such a beautiful way to blend your creativity and someone's story in the same moment. My clients are people I will always be grateful for. "By far our favorite photographer! Madison always captures the most beautiful photos and makes taking them fun and easy, even for my husband who hates photos. She always outdoes herself and we have never been disappointed in her work! We'll always recommned and use her!" -Abbey & Jesse Foreman 138

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PHOTO GRAP H Y NEVA MICHELLE PHOTOGRAPHY Info@nevamichelle.com | Nevamichelle.com Timeless and romantic photos for couples who love to have fun. Neva Michelle Photography is your hired third wheel who’s there to help fluff your dress, straighten your veil and make sure you and your love have stunning photos from the best day ever! With a mix of candid's and an editorial style, you can be sure your wedding photos will be a beautiful reflection of your love for one another. They proudly serve couples of all races, sexualities, genders and physical/mental abilities.

RAMBLE & ROAM PHOTOBOOTH 254-718-8821 | Rambleandroamphotobooth@gmail.com | Rambleandroamphotobooth.com Ramble & Roam Photo Booth is the photo booth you’ve been dreaming of! This 1973 Serro Scotty has been transformed into the cutest traveling photo booth for you & your guests to create lasting memories in. They have multiple packages available for you to choose from, so you’ll be sure to find something that is the perfect fit for your special day. Ramble & Roam is a family-owned and operated business, and they cannot wait to work with you to make your wedding day unique and special!

ROBIN ROGERS PHOTOGRAPHY 210-514-7002 | Robinrogersphotography@gmail.com | Robinrogersphotography.net Robin Rogers Photography is a natural light photographer in the Central Texas and San Antonio areas. Since starting in the wedding industry in 2013, Robin has loved and cherished each and every moment! She works for the beauty and love of her couples, leaving you with not only gorgeous images but a fun and stress-free experience! Robin’s goal is to create a beautiful mix of classic and lifestyle photos to fill your gallery! She can’t wait to meet you and create a beautiful package of memories for you to cherish.

STEPH CANO PHOTOGRAPHY 254-541-8608 | Stephcanophotography@gmail.com | Stephcanophotography.com Steph Cano Photography is a local photographer, capturing an endless amount of couples and families throughout Texas. She has over 15 years experience and strives to capture a true representation of your special day. Steph’s specialty is capturing your true love as seen by others, but felt by you. She has a unique way of capturing light, and color best described as vibrant and true. Much like her images Steph is full of Joy, and ensures “As your photographer, you will feel at ease knowing I will capture you and your loved one the way you see each other.”

WILD & UNTAMED PHOTOGRAPHY 254-718-2010 | Liza@wildanduntamedphoto.com | Wildanduntamedphoto.com Wild + Untamed Photography is a wedding + elopement photographer who loves to travel and serve couples from all walks of life. "I am passionate about capturing the true essence of my clients to deliver warm, organic images. I strive to bring a sense of ease and comfort to your wedding day, while not missing a single moment (even the ones you may miss at the time) that way you can look back on it forever. I feel so incredibly lucky to be trusted to capture one of the greatest seasons of life and your most perfect day thus far."

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PLA N N E RS ALICE ALLEN EVENTS 806-632-1666 | sarah@aliceallenevents.com | Aliceallenevents.com At Alice Allen Events we turn your wildest dreams into a stunning reality. Our goal is not only to create a beautiful, top-notch experience for your guests, but also to ensure you feel like a guest at your own event. After years of experience hosting gatherings of all kinds and sizes, we promise to plan, design, and execute yours with the greatest attention to detail.

BENNET EVENTS 361-813-1488 | info@bennetevents.co | facebook.com/bennetevents/ Bennet Events works on ensuring each individual event is uniquely different from everyone else. We want our clients to write and create their own stories by, in turn, helping them design and coordinate their own milestones through live events. Each individual lives and celebrates differently, so each occasion should be unique in its own way. Whether it be for love, work gatherings, or even just exciting news, one cannot have too large a party.

BRUNER EVENTS 254-716-5809 | brunerevents@gmail.com | brunerevents.com Each one of us has a vision of the perfect event, and with Bruner Events working for you; your vision becomes a reality! We take all our clients’ needs, wants, and dreams, and create one-of-kind events that their heart desires!

Our Owner and Creative Director, Bricker Bruner, has over 11 years of experience and has been voted as one of the Top Event Planners in Waco, and a team with combined 25+ years of experience, which will ensure that your next event is flawlessly executed!

WEDDINGS BY SHAUNA Weddingsbyshauna@gmail.com | Weddingsbyshauna.com Weddings by Shauna specializes in translating your vision of your wedding day into a magical reality! Their company was born out of a desire to cater to couples who want a highly personalized, upscale, and unique wedding planning experience. They will be there every step of the way to help you choose the right vendors, work closely with those vendors and assist you with design, details, timelines, and the creation of exclusive touches for your wedding!

Weddings by Shauna truly believes that it is not just how your wedding looks….it is how your wedding feels!

RENTALS ACTION RENTAL 811 Lake Air Drive • Waco | 254-772-8890 | wacoparties@aol.com | Actionrentalwaco.com Action Rentals specialize in weddings, corporate events, and so much more! They are the largest party equipment rental store in Central Texas. With such an extensive rental inventory you have choices, lots of them! “No cookie cutter weddings here. We pride ourselves in top of the line equipment, making sure everything is cleaned and ready for every client. We want every one of our clients to feel like VIP when doing business with us. A lot of our clients grow to be some of our closest friends.” They strive to make your special day a perfect one.

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REN TALS CELEBRATIONS EVENT RENTALS 893 East, FM 93 • Temple | 254-314-2415 | Info@celebrationsshoppe.com | Celebrationsshoppe.com Celebrations Wedding Planning and Event Rentals provides unique, quality rentals to couples all over Central Texas! “Come see our showroom in Temple, and visit with one of our highly experienced design consultants or certified wedding planners. We offer everything you need to throw the event of a lifetime. Our rentals include tablecloths, specialty linens, custom-made archways, unique centerpieces, tables, chairs, and more! We’re ready to make your wedding, corporate event, baby shower, or any other occasion a huge success – let’s get planning!”

CONFETTI RENTALS 2802 Capitol Way • Belton | 254-939-3302 | Confettirentals@embarqmail.com | Confettirentals.net Confetti Rentals was established in 2003 and has helped Central Texas brides design love stories ever since!

“At Confetti, we consider ourselves purveyors of pretty, collectors of the classics and the curious, unabashed hoarders and delighters in good design. With over 17 years in the event industry, Chris has been pulling off perfectly planned and stunning events . “Confetti does it all. We design it, clean it, load it, deliver it and install it so you can look pretty!

Our designers help create something special that guests will be talking about your event for years to come!”

LIGHTING BY GGA 1904 Franklin Ave. • Waco | 254-666-6242 | Info@lightingbygga.com | Lightingbygga.com The official local lighting providers of the Magnolia Market Silos and the Cameron Park Zoo Lights! Our team of lighting experts will dramatically transform and enhance your special event, residential home, or business exterior with professional lighting design and fixtures. We aiming to wow your wedding guests. Aside of wedding & special events, we also offer commercial and residential holiday lighting, decor, year-round lighting and landscape lighting.

No matter how big or small the project, we have the skill and knowledge to make your dream a reality.

THE MODERN HOUZZ PARTY 512-661-9888 | Themodernhouzzparty@gmail.com | Themodernhouzzparty.com Simple. Modern. Luxe. Houzz. Bringing the new way of bounce houses to your next event. With only aesthetically pleasing vibes, our commercial-grade, custom designed bounce houses are guaranteed to be a desired feature for any event or celebration. Perfect for Bridal Showers, Bachelorette parties, Cocktail hour and more! We’re here to help with your every need.

PENDLEY PARTY PRODUCTION 7201 Santos Dr. Ste F. • Waco | 254) 772-2757 | Allison@pendleyparty.com | Pendleyparty.com From concept to completion, the team of party consultants under Paulette’s direction are specialists in the art of planning and producing spectacular weddings and events. With 31 years of experience, they are known for their dedication to creating a magical experience. With 15,000 sq/ft of items available to rent, you’re limited only by your imagination. “There are no words to describe how grateful we are for you. The wedding ceremony and reception were nothing short of breathtaking, right down to the last detail!” - Stacy & Erik Walton

RSVP RENTAL 426 Towne Oaks Dr. • Waco | 254-772-5667 | nancy@RSVPwaco.com | Rsvpwacotx.com RSVP event design and rental company was established in Waco in 2001. They provide rentals, planning, design, set up, breakdown, and delivery. Their rental inventory is endless with everything you could possibly need. According to owner Nancy Comer, “We usually start a consultation with the bride to get an idea of her style and the look that excites her. As we are working on her plan, we adjust accordingly along the way and fine-tune the details. It is so rewarding for the bride and for us to see that vision come to life”.

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STATI ON E RY PAPERDOODLES 1401 S. 31st Street, Suite C, • Temple | 254-773-8331 | susie@paperdoodles.com Paperdoodles is the only store of its kind that is locally owned and operated in Temple – just between Waco and Austin. They carry all things paper, along with a wide variety of novelty items, specialty brands, and gifts for any occasion. When it’s time to plan your special event, they will gladly help you pick out your invitations, announcements, stationery, and other paper goods that fit your taste, style, and budget!

VENU ES BAYLOR CLUB 1001 S MLK Jr. Blvd. • Waco | 254-710-8080 | Clubcorp.com/clubs/baylor-club/host-an-event Planning your wedding is an exciting time in your life, let our team of certified Private Event Directors help make your day stress-free! Each couple has unique wedding needs and our staff is prepared to go above and beyond your expectations to make your dream day become a reality. Providing modern decor, rentals, gourmet in-house catering with customizable menus, breathtaking views, atmosphere of unparalleled elegance and so much more, the Baylor Club stand out from the rest.

CARLEEN BRIGHT ARBORETUM 9001 Bosque Blvd • Woodway | 254-399-9204 | events@woodwaytexas.gov | Discoverwoodway.com The Carleen Bright Arboretum extends over 16 acres that are home to lovely botanical gardens and four event areas.

Known as the “Jewel of Woodway” it boasts a certified Monarch Way-station, a koi pond, fountains, gardens, the Todd Willis Nature Trail that winds through woodlands. The Pavilion Event Center is the newest addition to the Carleen Bright Arboretum grounds. A state-of-the-art 10,000 sq/ft venue designed with large windows that wrap you in nature. It is the perfect space for weddings, corporate events, and large parties.

CASTLE HEIGHTS BIJOUX 2500 Washington Ave. • Waco | 254-498-1015 | Castleheightsbijoux@gmail.com | Castleheightsbijoux.com Castle Heights Bijoux Event Center is located in the heart of Waco in the historic Castle Heights neighborhood.

From bridal showers, rehearsal dinners to weddings and receptions, Castle Heights Bijoux is the perfect location to host your special event! Castle Heights features a stage overlooking the dance floor, tables, Chiavari chairs, and chandeliers. The venue can hosts up to 200 guests. Formal dining place settings are also available and so much more. Set the stage for your celebration of the century at Castle Heights Bijoux Event Center!

CATHEDRAL OAKS EVENT CENTER 1312 Waco Road • Belton | 254-939-6257 | info@cathedral-oaks.com | Cathedral-Oaks.com Nestled on over six oak-covered acres in Belton, Texas, Cathedral Oaks is Central Texas’ premier location for weddings and events. The 6,800 primary event center, can easily accommodate any event. The natural beauty of the landscape transitions throughout the venue with panoramic windows, hardwood floors, limestone accents, high vaulted ceilings, and exposed wood beams. Custom landscape lighting showcases the majestic oak trees. These are amongst the many features which demonstrate the comprehensive attention to detail in the design of the venue.

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VEN UES DEERFIELD ESTATES 915 Spring Lake Rd. • Waco | 254-284-0070 | grace@deerfieldvenue.com | Deerfieldvenue.com Originally an 1840’s timber frame barn in Newton, Pennsylvania, this antique legacy has been restored into a beautiful, unique event space, surrounded by a ceremony rose garden and situated in a park like setting of native trees. Six cabins are on-site and make the perfect lodging for wedding party attendants. The groom’s cabin also doubles as a honeymoon cottage. Deerfield Estates also provides various size tables and chairs for both ceremony and reception.

Their spacious catering kitchen offers ample space for food service.

FOSSIL CREEK RETREAT 622 County Rd 3565 • China Spring | 254-709-9509 | Info@fossilcreekretreat.com | Fossilcreekretreat.com Fossil Creek is an upscale event facility in China Spring that offers lush indoor and outdoor sites for weddings and more . Whether you desire to say your “I Do’s” in our magnificent covered open-air chapel or barefoot under one of their century-old, majestic oak trees, Fossil Creek will help you transform your wedding dreams into reality! The seasoned professional coordinators specialize in taking care of all the on-site details and set up, leaving you free to enjoy the celebration. Their packages include tables, chairs, linens, centerpieces, and other decorative pieces.

THE LODGE AT THE HARVEY 5 RANCH 5088 FM 2412. • Gatesville | 254-410-7079 | Jayci.Stroder@harvey5lodge.com | Harvey5lodge.com The Lodge At The Harvey 5 Ranch offers a unique wedding and event experience on the Hill Country’s edges. Sitting on 225 scenic acres along the Leon River it offers 10,000+ sq/ft of interior space, along with over 8,000 sq/ft of covered porches and acres of landscape to host any event. Lodging is available in the main house, along with 8 individual cabins to allow for a unique “get-away” wedding. They can provide all-inclusive or a-la-carte packages.

Come experience a perfect mix of modern, rustic, and spectacular in The Lodge At The Harvey 5 Ranch!

HIGHPOINTE ESTATE 5555 CR 258 • Liberty Hill | 512-636-9200 | Dawson@highpointeestate.com | Highpointeestate.com Situated on 42 Beautiful acres with sweeping views on the San Gabriel River Valley, with 35-foot ceilings, beautiful trusses, stunning chandeliers, a grand piano, and luscious gardens with water features, it's no surprise why HighPointe Estate is one of central Texas’ premier wedding venues! Evoking an old country church with an updated and modern vibe, their gorgeous Chapel is the perfect indoor ceremony space, The reception and chapel spaces easily accommodate up to 300 guests and can be elegantly “dressed up” or maintain their casual farmhouse style.

LA RIO MANSION 4501 Dice Grove Rd. • Belton | 254-833-7670 | Weddings@lariomansion.com | Lariomansion.com La Rio Mansion features luxurious, elegant Spanish-style architecture, immaculate landscaping, and a breathtaking backdrop of 37 acres backed by the Leon River and sprawling oak trees. La Rio Mansion features two ceremony locations and a luxurious outdoor reception space overlooking lush fields, magically lit with draped cafe lighting, and fully furnished with fruitwood chivari chairs and round guest tables for up to 250 guests. Looking for an indoor option? La Rio Mansion also features an air-conditioned 5,000sq ft ballroom with up to 350 guests seated capacity.

MOON RIVER RANCH 402 County Rd 417A • Satin | 254-546-2233 | Moonriverranch.com For a elegant and exclusive wedding, choose Moon River Ranch and make it a unique Texas country event!

Breathtaking views, cascading waterfalls, shimmering pools, swaying palms and the tranquil Brazos River, provide the perfect ambiance. You’ll find the ranch a peaceful place for your wedding, while enjoying the hospitality of our staff and lovely accommodations. Enjoy the rolling pastures painted with pecan trees or to the shimmering natural rock pool, it’s a perfect place for you, your family and guests to enjoy memorable moments to be cherished forever.

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VENU ES OLD BETHANY 2730 Old Bethany Rd. • Bruceville | 254-221-8088 | info@oldbethanyvenue.com | Oldbethanyvenue.com Old Bethany is a 6500-square-foot white barn nestled in the middle of a grove of beautiful Texas oak trees. The barn rests on 100 acres of open fields and scattered trees. Their 35-foot barn has a large covered porch adjacent to a 30’x80’ turf lawn with string lights hanging overhead. The downstairs area is comprised of the 3500 sq. foot grand room, foyer, a spacious prep kitchen, and a beautiful bridal suite. Upstairs is the groom’s suite, office and a balcony that overlooks the grand room.

ONE ELEVEN EAST 111 East St • Hutto | 512-791-5745 | Info@oneeleveneast.com | Oneeleveneast.com One Eleven East is an adaptive reuse and modernization of the historic building at 111 East Street, which was built in 1893. While preserving the original architectural details, the property has been fully restored and thoughtfully designed to host intimate weddings and other private events. One Eleven East features the main open area, built-in bar, loft, skylight room and outdoor courtyard. One Eleven East is one of the few wedding venues in the Austin-area to host beautiful indoor ceremonies and receptions year-round.

RUSTIC ACRES EVENT CENTER 8513 Fox Rd. • Belton | 254-791-9010 | Rusticacreseventcenter.com Located between Belton and Salado and just minutes off I-35, Rustic Acres offers a beautiful venue that can accommodate your indoor or outdoor wedding and reception. They offer weekend rentals, so you have the flexibility of utilizing the venue Friday from 8 am to 11 pm for decorating and or rehearsal dinner, Saturday from 8 am to midnight, and Sunday from 8 am to noon. Tables and chairs are included in the rental, and there are no restrictions or hidden fees for using outside vendors.

SHADY VILLA HOTEL 416 S. Main Street • Salado | 254-947-5111 | Info@shadyvillahotel.com | Shadyvillahotel.com A magnificent setting filled with a rich history on the South bank of Salado Creek covered in giant oak and pecan trees. Spaniard explorers, gold hunts, and Tonkawa tribe legends just scratch the surface of what the original structure from the 1800s has been a part of. Now a beautifully remodeled property with accommodations, a variety of venue spaces, a full restaurant and bar, a year-round pool, and on-site catering are all located on Main Street for guest convenience to enjoy the small oasis of Salado. Shady Villa Hotel is a place for generations past and to come.

SNYDER RIVER RANCH 6106 FM-437 • Buckholts | 512-762-0964 | Snyderriverranchevents.com Snyder River Ranch is situated in the heart of 325 acres which provides a serene environment for your wedding day. The venue offers indoor and outdoor ceremony locations and a modern style reception space. The outdoor ceremony is canopied by three large Oak trees for amazing photos. This 4,000 sq/ft sprawling ranch house features a romantic Bridal Suite, a Groom’s Room, two Parent’s Suites, an oversized living space, and a full kitchen. Snyder River Ranch was created to provide a beautiful, modernized space for your wedding day that is packed full of character!

THE EXCHANGE EVENT CENTER 300 S. Jefferson Ave • McGregor | 254-236-8400 | Exchangeeventcenter.com The Exchange Event Center is a 3.5-acres property that includes the Main Hall and Cavitt Caufield Center. The Exchange is a 15,000 sq. ft. facility with variable lighting and a flexible floor plan. This rustic, but elegant, event facility can accommodate up to 600 guests seated around tables or 950 people at a cocktail event. The Cavitt Caufield Center is an 1,100 sq. ft. facility that can accommodate 65 guests seated at 60” round tables and up to 100 people for a cocktail event. The Exchange is available for weddings, private rentals, corporate events and more!

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VEN UES THE VINEYARD AT FLORENCE 111 Via Francesco • Florence | 512-572-7000 | Cheers@tvaf.com | Thevineyardatflorence.com The Vineyard at Florence is a romantic Tuscan-inspired vineyard resort that offers the perfect setting for your fairytale wedding. Choose from four venues to begin planning your perfect day. Enjoy on-property amenities including overnight accommodations, tasting room, restaurant, views of a working vineyard, and so much more.

Located just forty-five minutes north of Austin in the Texas Hill Country, The Vineyard at Florence is convenient, but miles away from ordinary. Beautiful thirty-three acres of vines, stream, wildlife and oak trees await you.

VINTAGE VILLAS 4209 Eck Ln. • Austin | 512-220-0185 | sales@vintagevillas.com | VintageVillas.com Vintage Villas is a full-service wedding venue offering outdoor ceremonies and indoor receptions with expansive views of Lake Travis, in-house catering and a 44 room hotel. With two gorgeous venues, and floor-to-ceiling picture windows in each space, you can enjoy the stunning sunsets over the lake from any point on the property. The experienced Vintage Villas staff will assist you with every aspect of your wedding, from ceremony and reception details to rehearsal dinners and overnight accommodations.

WEDD I N G IN S U RA N C E FRONT ROW INSURANCE 424-329-2446 ext. 1005 | Events.frontrowinsurance.com/us | Usevents@frontrowinsurance.com Insuring your US Wedding with Front Row Insurance Brokers is a fast and simple process so you feel confident that your big day is protected – you deserve to enjoy it worry free. Your wedding planning to-do list is long enough… the insurance part should be easy! Front Row makes getting insurance for your USA wedding quick and painless with no need to talk to an insurance broker. Buy an affordable wedding insurance policy online in 5 minutes to protect against accidents at your marriage ceremony.

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