Weddings West Magazine Vol II 2020

PA R K E R C O U N T Y, H O O D C O U N T Y, E R AT H C O U N T Y

2020

COMPLIMENTARY | VOL II 2020

A NEW FRONTIER FOR THE TEXAS BRIDE

WEDDING AND EVENT VENUE (817) 243-6789 www.lcranchtexas.com lcranchlandri@gmail.com 4610 Shaw Road Tolar, Texas 76476

LC Ranch is a quaint country gem hidden in a ring of oak trees overlooking 40 acres of lush coastal fields. The ranch boasts an unforgettable venue where rustic truly meets elegance.

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of 2018 2019 2020

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s g n i d d e w e i W V A h t i W

call for a visit: 682-936-1200 621 East Pearl Street | Granbury, Texas 76048

l a k e g r a n b uryc on fer enc e c en t er . or g 2

JACQUE GORDON 817-243-4324 JACQUEGORDON@KW.COM

Your Friend • Your Realtor • Your Neighbor

3 | WEDDINGS WEST | 2020 Edition

Letter from the Editor K E L S E Y WAL L E N My hope is that you can rely on the information in this magazine so you are free to focus more on building your marriage than the planning of your wedding. Your marriage is so much more than the wedding, and any work you put into your marriage now will be time and effort very well spent. I encourage you to build a strong foundation with this person you’re committing the rest of your life. Work together to plan this day. Press through the disagreements to find a resolution. Encourage one another. Find out each other's love languages and love your future spouse well in their specific love language. Talk about the hard stuff and celebrate the wins.

My (now) husband and I were only engaged for three and a half months before getting married.

Luckily, I had been a wedding coordinator for several years before our engagement, so I already knew a lot of what I wanted for our wedding. Even still, three and a half months was not a long time to plan a wedding, and I would have loved to have a tool to use for planning all the details. If only I had something that could tell me what to do next and could spark creative ideas.

We have designed this magazine with that goal specifically in mind.

When the times get tough, remind yourselves that you not only love each other, but you like each other. Lean on this solid foundation you have built.

This edition of Weddings West is a beautiful and practical guide just for you. We hope you find it to be so pretty that you want to show it off to your friends, have it on display on your coffee table, and be available in your store. We hope that by the time you get to your wedding day, this publication is falling apart from all the dog eared pages and ripped out sections.

With so much love and encouragement,

Kelsey

We hope this magazine becomes a staple tool in planning your big day.

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Photo Credit: Kasey Cody & Co; Wedding Planner: Something Blue Weddings; Location: Trickle Creek Events

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Contents 10

50

16

54

Stories of Love: Kali & Colin's Story

Weddings Social Distancing Style: How to Social Distance At A Wedding

Stories of Love: Courtney & Tyler's Story

63

22

Why You Need A Day-Of Wedding Coordinator

26

Ask the Experts: Wedding Photographer

34

Ask the Experts: Wedding Guest Hotel Hotel Lucy

You're Married, Now What?

65

Ask the Experts: Wedding Venue - La Bella Luna

30

Wedding Planning Timeline

Financial Matrimony For Newlyweds

By Hayden Hill

70

You're Married, Now What?

First Time Home Buyer Tips

74

You're Married, Now What?

Hosting Your First Gathering

78 38

Ask the Experts: Wedding Planner

What I Wish I Would Have Known

88

Weddings West Cover Contest

42

2021 Trends

7 | WEDDINGS WEST | 2020 Edition

A NEW FRONTIER FOR THE TEXAS BRIDE

ABOUT THE COVER

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Cover Photo by Kaitlin Rodgers

Kelsey Wallen

Kaitlynn Cassady

of Mary Kaitlin Artistry

Freedom Noble

Mary Kaitlin Artistry

Hayden Hill

McGowan Images Nancy Farrar Norman & Young Photography Raegan Buckley Sabel Moments

CEO

Eric Wilkins |

MANAGING EDITOR

Zeke Dorr |

K e l s e y Wa l l e n |

JUNIOR PROJECT MANAGER D I G I TA L D I R E C T O R

COO

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ti m J u s t i s

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR

Michelle Cooper |

Aaron Meeks |

CFO

Lindsey Powell

ACCOUNTING

SENIOR WEB DEVELOPER

Chad Boyd |

SOCIAL MEDIA

O F F I C E A S S I S TA N T

Kim Justis

Dustin Beaty

Brittney Lopez

Laci Clark

Weddings West is created and published by GreenFox greenfox.io weddingswestmagazine.com (817) 330-9015 307 West Pearl Street Granbury, Texas 76048 All rights reserved. Copies or reproduction of this publication in whole or in part is strictly prohibited without expressed written authorization from the publisher. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein. Advertising is subject to omission, errors, and other changes without notice.

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About Weddings West Weddings West is distributed free of charge to local businesses, bridal events and visitors centers west of DFW. Our experienced creative team blends current trends and real life situations to create a publication that sparks joy and is a reliable resource for brides and families planning a wedding and uniting families.

Look forward to Weddings West 2021.

Stories of Love KALI & COLIN’S STORY

P H O T O G R A H P Y B Y K A I T LY N N C A S S A D Y

E

ngaged three months before Corona Virus came into America, Kali and Colin had no idea what an adventure it was going to be to look at each other across the aisle or if there would be an aisle at all! We had the opportunity to hear their encouraging experience and advice with us and how their big day went!

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work mentioned to him, so we go and search for it.

We finally see it and I say, “Alright let's go.” That’s when he suggests we look around a little more. As he says that, I notice a couple following us closer than a normal couple would. We start taking all these turns and they don’t leave. At All! We get back to the spot his “friend” wanted us to see, which was the reflection pond overlook and part of it was roped off. That’s when the girl from the couple following us says very loudly “Don’t worry I can crop that rope out of the picture” to her spouse.

Colin and I met in high school. I was a senior and he was a junior. I was a teacher’s assistant for my drill team director during the boys’ dance class that Colin “just happened” to be in. We got to know each other better in that class and officially became a couple in October of my senior year and have dated ever since!

We got engaged in October of 2019. I had been dying to go to the Dallas Arboretum to see all of the pumpkins and so one day after work (I work nights and went on ZERO sleep) we went on a day date.

I had to go to Dallas that day anyway, so it worked out well!

Colin then started getting antsy and nervous and led me back to that pond while the other couple started going the other way. That’s when he turned and popped the question! Turns out the other couple following us was the secret photographer and her husband that he had hired! He got the engagement all on film as well as a small photoshoot afterward!!

Wedding planning was stressful! Everything was going as expected until COVID hit. Once that happened, I had to postpone a lot of planning because no vendors were able to meet in person. We had to delay the main meeting with my day of coordinator until a month before the wedding, so it felt like all the

I had a feeling it was coming soon, but I had a false alarm the previous weekend, so I wasn’t trying to get my hopes up too much. We get to the arboretum and I was trying to discreetly look at his pockets to see if I noticed a ring box sticking out, but I had no luck!

We walked around for a few hours looking at all the pumpkins and flowers, talking, and enjoying the day.

He eventually says he’s ready to go home and I agree because I had been awake for a long time at this point. Colin casually mentions that there's one more place we have to go see that someone from his

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little important details got done at the very last minute.

It was especially difficult not knowing if our wedding was even going to happen or if we were going to have to postpone it completely. Everything was up in the air until the week of!

Our wedding ended up being absolutely perfect. All of our vendors came out and did the most wonderful job.

My day-of coordinator, Carrie Ebbesen, was amazing.

She made sure all of my vendors had a mask and gloves and the correct additional paperwork that was needed proving they hadn’t been around anyone with COVID. She made sure everything ran as smoothly as possible. I could not have done it without her! We didn’t have one issue come up. If we did, I didn’t even know about it because she had it taken care of!

We got married at Dove Ridge Vineyard in Weatherford, TX. Almost everyone we originally invited came, with only a few unable to attend because of fears of getting sick. We had masks and hand sanitizer set up multiple places. For the ceremony, we had the rows spread out more from front to back to give people more room. For the reception, there were fewer people at each table and the tables were more spread out than they normally would have been. We did a buffet type service with servers, so no one had to touch anything but their plates and glasses. Other than those small adjustments, it felt like a normal wedding!

The best part of the planning was finding my dress! It is such a magical moment when you put on "the dress”!

You know instantly that it is your dress! The most challenging part of wedding planning would be knowing what vendors to choose. There are so many options and so many great people to go with that I was nervous about picking the right ones. In the end, they all ended up being amazing and I wouldn’t have picked anyone different!

Reflecting on my own experience planning my wedding, I would encourage other brides to pick a solid budget and stick to it. There are a ton of great vendors within smaller budgets, you don’t have to break the bank to have a fabulous wedding!

Another tip is, it is YOUR day. Not your mom's, not your mother-in-law’s, but your day. If it’s what you and your fiancé want, then go with it. Don’t worry about what anyone else has to say! You only get to do this day once, so make sure its how you envision it! The day of don’t stress, just take it all in because you’re not going to want to miss anything!!!

Just have fun!!!

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Stories of Love COURTNEY & TYLER'S STORY

PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAITLIN RODGERS

C

ourtney and Tyler have had quite the roller coaster to reschedule their wedding just two weeks before their big day! We got a chance to hear all the details and their experience having a wedding amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Just as we were getting excited to enjoy our big day, we discovered we had to reschedule our wedding due to COVID-19. We were only two weeks out when we had to change our date. Tyler is big into hunting, and I am not big into winter weddings, so our rescheduling options were limited. We chose August 29th because we were also coordinating with 23 other weddings we planned to attend or be a part of, so we had to make sure we didn’t overlap.

Tyler and I met through mutual friends. One of my best friends (Lauren) and I were in college. I was going to Tarleton, and he was going to Kingsville. Lauren owned property that had two houses, and his best friend was renting one of them. Tyler would come to his friend’s house to go hunting all the time. Our paths never really crossed, but his friend Colton kept saying, “you two need to meet, you would be perfect for each other.” And we both kept saying, “yeah, whatever Colton...”

One day, Colton said to me, “by the way, Tyler is coming into town again, and I am going to set y'all up to meet each other.” I told him no. Tyler will tell you that when I saw him pulling down the driveway through the kitchen window, I ran down the hall to Lauren, saying “oh my gosh, that’s the guy I am supposed to meet, what am I going to do? They are all coming here!” That night we stayed out till 3 am just talking to each other, and from there, we learned we both love the outdoors and that we clicked in most of our hobbies, and we started dating May of 2015.

When we first started dating, we were long-distance, which we weren’t excited about. We had many friends who would break up and get back together, and early on, we decided that wasn’t us. Since that decision, we’ve never broken up. We don’t go to bed mad, and we support each other through everything. He always has a hunting partner, and I still have a shopping partner which is not his favorite thing to do, but he does it to be together and laugh together.

Our proposal fits the two of us perfectly. Tyler and I would often go hunting together, and he was into hog hunting. One day we went out shooting together at a property we call “Mr. Cotton’s.”

There is an overlook of the river there that I love. As we walked along, Tyler said: “I think there’s a pig over here… if there is, you should shoot it.” I said ok and started looking. The sun was setting and shining right in my eyes, so I had to look hard. I told him, “I can’t see it! Just do it for me!” I turned around, and he was on one knee! He says, “jokes on you there’s no pig!” and asks me to marry him.

March 28th was the first date we selected for the wedding. We had one last meeting with our vendors before the big day, when we had the realization we might have to move our wedding due to COVID-19. Our vendors were terrific through this challenging decision and assured us they were ready to do whatever was needed to make sure it happened. We decided to move the date, and we are so thankful for our vendors and their help. We looked to our parents for advice, and they were kind enough to defer to our judgment. They offered perspectives but did not tell us what to do. Tyler and I decided between ourselves that we would move it. I narrowed it down to August 8th or August 29th. Our vendors all could move to August 29th, and after consulting my sister, we chose the 29th. I was so glad to have someone help me decide the date easily.

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It was a unique experience postponing our wedding. Everything was already planned since we were supposed to be married in March. Once we got close to August 29th, things just continued pretty seamlessly. The only significant change was that we had to get an “outdoor gathering permit” for having over 100 people. We also had to adjust our guest list. Our original guest list was 335 people, and we had to cut it down to 200. It was tough to choose who could come and who couldn’t. A good portion of Tyler’s family are doctors out of state, which meant their hospitals wouldn’t let them leave to go to the wedding. It was hard to picture our wedding day without a lot of his family there.

We had many people cut themselves from the list because they didn’t want to be exposed, and a lot of people offered their seats to make sure that if someone needed to be there, they could be. Overall, everyone was very supportive, and no one was negative. We got the list down to 250 people, and then it got even more challenging. I can’t tell you it was precisely 200 people there, and it might have been a little over. You try your best to contact everyone, but that’s a lot of people to reach.

All the hard work of rescheduling our wedding, contacting everyone, cutting down our guest list, and coordinating all the vendors was all worth it because our wedding day was perfect!

Our colors were navy, coral, and grey. The guys were in white shirts and jackets with jeans. I felt terrible about the jackets since August in Texas is HOT! But Tyler loved the look, so the guy’s dealt with it great.

We got married in a rustic barn. We could only have 90 people in the barn, so we had to get creative in making space for everyone to see our ceremony.

During our planning, Tyler was adamant that the first look woud be down the aisle. I also wanted to have a first look with my dad before the wedding. It was such an incredible and memorable moment!

At the end of it all, to be together with family and friends and to feel that atmosphere of love and support was terrific.

The most challenging part about planning our wedding was that guest list. The best part was preparing the gifts for the bridesmaids and groomsmen. The compassion they had for us was astounding, and showing our gratitude to them was special. Also, working with Kaitlin, our photographer was a dream. Knowing I had her alongside me to make sure we had the best day, and that she would be capturing it all with incredible pictures was vital.

Having gone through planning my wedding, I encourage other brides to incorporate your other half in the planning. He has more opinions then he may show! Make sure you work together and see what matters to them too. No matter how much they say “it’s your day,” it’s their day too, and planning it together is a great way to start your marriage. Also -

Book Kaitlin for your wedding!!!

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©2019 HEB, 20-1470

Image courtesy of: Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC

WHY YOU NEED A DAY-OF WEDDING COORDINATOR W O R D S B Y K E L S E Y WAL L E N P H O T O G R AP H Y B Y K AI T L I N R O D G E R S

I have been a wedding coordinator for over a decade. I have just about seen it all. One thing most brides say at the beginning of our first consultation is something along the lines of “I don’t think I need a coordinator, but my mom/best f riend/cousin/whomever said it’s necessary.”

I always share with them the benefits of having a day-of coordinator.

Here is how those conversations typically go: You are the incredibly organized, color-coordinated spreadsheet queen.

You have every last detail of your big day planned out, cross-referenced, and highlighted in multiple shades of highlighter. You have your wedding party briefed on the plan for the day. Everything is set up for the utmost success. Why on earth would you need a day-of coordinator?

Below, we give you five reasons you need a day-of coordinator.

To begin, what is a day-of wedding coordinator? The most significant difference between a day-of coordinator and a wedding planner is that a planner starts when you get engaged and walks you through every detail. We help with the design of your wedding and all the planning.

Not all brides can afford (or want to have) a wedding planner. We get it!

A day-of coordinator is necessary, however. We step in towards the end of the planning, generally about a month or so before your big day. We f requently provide vendor recommendations from the start, but our job is really to tie up loose ends just before your wedding. We catch the vision you have created for your wedding and make sure the day goes smoothly. We coordinate all vendors, all last-minute issues, any emergencies, and all the other things you wouldn’t think of.

Which leads us to five reasons it is essential you hire a day-of coordinator:

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1 2 3 4 5

We handle all the finances. No one wants to talk about money on their wedding day. No one wants vendors approaching them just after putting their wedding dress on, asking for a check. And you certainly don’t want to be keeping track of all the tips for vendors; pretty sure your dress doesn’t have pockets! Your wedding coordinator will collect any checks or cash for tips about a week before your wedding and disperse the money as needed, leaving you to enjoy all your hard work!

We handle the setup, tear down, and everything in between. We do everything from calling vendors who aren’t there on time, steam the tablecloths that still have wrinkles, and take the trash out when it fills up. We are there early, we stay late, and make sure everything gets done - something you don’t want to put on a friend or family member! Our job is to work that day; it is your organized second-cousins job to enjoy the celebration.

We create your day-of timeline. Trust us, leave the day-of timeline to the professionals. Do you know know how long it takes to get 200 people through a buffet line? Do you know how long it takes to cut and distribute 100 pieces of cake? Do you know how long it takes to get all the pictures done? Do you know the order the reception should go in? No, chances are you don’t have experience with these things. We have years and years of experience writing and planning wedding days. Leave the timeline to us.

We will run the rehearsal. We know all the tips and tricks on how to get your bridal down the aisle and to the right place. We work closely with whoever is officiating your ceremony to make sure we get all the elements of your ceremony that you’ve been dreaming of.

We cover any emergencies that arise. I have a Wedding Coordinator friend that shared a story where the DJ had a heart attack during the ceremony. The coordinator was able to get him into a different room, called an ambulance, and had her assistant stay with him to make sure he got taken care of. She went back to the wedding where she became the emcee for the evening and made sure the party went on. The bride and groom had no idea what had happened, and no one noticed the DJ was missing. Talk about saving the day!

(And the DJ was okay!)

The bottom line is - do you anticipate things will come up on your big day? Probably not.

But no matter how much planning you have done, there will always be things to be done on the day of your wedding. Your job is to get married, not to coordinate the day. Leave that to the professionals.

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You are my

Today and all of my

Tomorrows.

- Leo Christopher

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Ask the Experts: Wedding Venue La Bella Luna PHOTOS BY NORMAN & YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHY

"New world feel" WW: Chloe, thanks so much for taking the time to talk with us!

Will you share what your area of expertise is when it comes to weddings?

LBL: I run La Bella Luna, and we are a wedding venue.

WW: What advice do you have for brides choosing the perfect venue for their big day?

LBL: The best advice I have is to find a venue that fits the feel you want. For example, we have a “new world feel” at La Bella Luna. If you are looking for a rustic barn, we aren’t the place for you. I also recommend you find out what the venue has to offer you. Some venues include tables, and some don’t. That has a significant impact on your budget. Find out how involved the venue is on your day. In our experience, the more the venue coordinator is involved, the smoother the day goes.

Another piece of advice we have is to always find out from the venue what the backup plan is. If you are getting married outside, what is the backup plan if it rains? Find out what your options are.

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"Will you hold my hand?"

WW: What are things that a bride (or those helping plan the wedding) can communicate to you that will help create the end goal that they want?

LBL: We must know any expectations a bride has. We want to do everything we can to meet those expectations, and we will communicate if we aren’t able to. But knowing what those expectations are is incredibly helpful.

WW: What is a funny story about hosting guests that you'd like to share?

LBL: Oh, there are so many! One of the things I love is the children that are in the wedding. There was a flower girl one wedding that insisted on having each person walking in hold her hand. It was the sweetest thing, hearing her say, “Will you hold my hand?”

WW: Anything else you want brides to know?

LBL: Here at La Bella Luna, we do everything we can to spoil our brides completely. This is your day, and we are here to help your day be flawless!

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OUT OF THIS WORLD

PHOTOGRAPHY

Close to Home

mcgowanimages.com /mcgowanimagesfb mcgowanimages 254.592.1645 (text friendly)

"Ask your mom what family pictures are needed"

Ask the Experts: Wedding Photographer PHOTOGRAPHY BY KAITLIN RODGERS

KR: I'm always all ears when it comes to any specific photos that a bride or groom wants. For example, at one wedding, the bride asked if I could take a picture of her dad's hand on her back during the father/daughter dance. Of course, I was more than happy to get that shot, especially since I knew it would mean a lot to her! However, there is a fine line between requesting specific photos and not trusting your photographer to get great images.

At another wedding I photographed, the bride gave me a list of about 25 particular photos that they wanted. As always, I was willing to do what I could to get those photos, but I couldn't help but think, "this bride doesn't trust me or my creative ability to get great photos.” Again, you ultimately hire your photographer so you can enjoy your wedding day knowing that you will soon have photos delivered to you that you love!

Probably one of the most important elements of a wedding are the memories you take with you - and Kaitlin Rodgers knows this better than anyone. Besides being the featured photographer for our cover, we asked Kaitlin to share some of her experiences that can elevate your wedding day and the memories you keep.

WW: Kaitlin, you are an expert wedding photographer; do you specialize in any other type of photography?

KR: Outside of wedding photography, I do engagement photos, bridals, and even proposals!

WW: That’s great! As brides choose the perfect photographer for their wedding, do you have any advice for them?

KR: Ask them what the wedding photography process looks like from consultation to delivery of photos. This will tell you precisely what you should expect from that photographer, and make you feel much more comfortable knowing that everything is going according to plan.

I also suggest doing your research beforehand and take the time to look through your potential photographer's website and social media accounts, as well as looking at what other people have to say about them via reviews. If you like what you see, then you know you can trust them to get the photos you want!

On the other end of specific photos are family photos. These are important to be specific on! About a month before a wedding, I get with my couple, and we create a detailed and precise family picture list so that on the day of the wedding, we aren't trying to remember who needs to be in what photo because I already have the plan with me. I always tell the couple, "ask your mom what family pictures are needed,” moms are great at knowing this kind of stuff! Having this information is such a helpful and worthy task to do before the wedding, and it saves SO much time.

WW: Moms are the right person to give that task! Speaking of family, are there any funny stories about shooting a wedding that you'd like to share?

KR: I can’t think of a specific story, but I often giggle - and cringe - thinking back on the first weddings I photographed.

I'm thankful for growth and change, and the people who hired me liked my work well enough to hire me. But looking back, I had no idea what I was doing. I was just too excited to photograph a wedding that nothing else mattered! Humble beginnings are not something to be despised, and I'm glad I can look back and laugh.

WW: Anything else you want brides to know?

KR: I want brides to know that we (wedding vendors) are passionate about you and your wedding! We are in the wedding industry to make our couples' weddings successful!

WW: Kaitlin, thank you so much for the insights. I know a lot of couples might start writing down those family lists as soon as possible!

WW: What can a bride ask you or tell you that will help to create the end goal or picture that they want?

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PH OTOG RAPH Y BY KAITLYN N CASSADY

One way to elevate your wedding guests’ experience is to set up a block of rooms at a hotel you recommend near your wedding venue. Guests traveling from all over have enough logistics to figure out. By providing a hotel recommendation, you help alleviate one of those logistics.

When choosing the hotel, we recommend that you look for things like amenities this hotel offers your guests, the experience they will have staying there, and the distance from the wedding venue.

If you want to truly spoil your guests, arrange with the hotel to have welcome packages in the rooms of guests who book at that hotel! This extra thought from you goes a long way for those traveling. Some ideas of things you can include in a welcome package - a note from you and your fiance, bottles of water, a few snacks or treats, a schedule with any relevant information for the wedding weekend, maybe even a bottle of wine!

"North Texas' most stylish new hotel beckons..."

Ask the Experts: Wedding Guest Hotel Hotel Lucy P H OTO G R A P H Y BY N A N C Y FA R R A R

If you are getting married in Granbury, we highly recommend treating your guests to Hotel Lucy. Stephanie Allmon Merry from CultureMap Fort Worth said, “With a dozen plush suites, well-appointed common areas, full kitchen, cocktail lounge, coffee bars, resort-style pool, sunny courtyard, and party-ready event spaces, North Texas’ most stylish new hotel beckons for romantic escapes, bachelorette excursions, and destination wedding weekends.”

Whether you choose Hotel Lucy or another upscale hotel in the area, your guests will indeed thank you!

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GROOMSMEN GIFT IDEAS 1. YETI Can

2. Watch

3. Sun Glasses

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Ask the Experts: Wedding Planner

We had a chance to talk with Tina from Serendipity Events by Tina about wedding planning. She has been in the industry for 15 years, so we could glean some great wisdom from her to help you with your wedding planning!

WW: Tina, thank you for taking some time to talk with us today! To start things off, what is your field of expertise?

TD: I am a wedding planner! My company does everything from proposal planning and execution to full wedding planning and month-of coordinating.

WW: That’s great! It sounds like you do it all! What advice do you have for brides on choosing the perfect wedding planner for them?

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TD: Your personalities need to mesh. You will be spending a lot of time with this person, planning one of the most important days of your life with them. It is essential to make sure you get along and can spend a lot of time together. At my company, we have several people on staff, and each one of them meshes with different personalities. I will meet with a bride, and after talking with them, I may recommend an additional staff member for them to work with simply because I feel their personalities would go better together.

That is one huge benefit of hiring a company versus an individual.

Look into the planners’ education and experience. Ask things like if they are certified? Find out how many weddings they have done. Check on their reviews; how do they look? Do you know anyone that has used them before? If so, how was their experience?

What is the planners’ backup plan? Do they have staff that can fill in if they aren’t able to perform their responsibilities?

Every good planner should have a good back up plan.

WW: That is excellent advice! What things can a bride communicate to you that will help create the end goal they want?

TD: That’s a hard one to answer here because we cover so much in our first consultation. We ask all the questions, we find out all of the details, and we dig into it all to make sure we catch the vision you have for your wedding.

TD: Well, this story isn’t amusing, but it sure was memorable.

Partway through a ceremony one time, the DJ had a heart attack! I discovered this was going on and was able to get him to a separate room. I was able to call an ambulance and have my assistant support him while I went back to the wedding. I filled in as the emcee and continued the night right along. The bride and groom, and most guests, had no idea what had happened and didn’t notice anything was different at all! Luckily the DJ was okay, and my assistant was able to stay with him until the paramedics arrived!

WW: Goodness, gracious! Talk about handling any emergency that comes up! Anything else you want brides to know?

TD: There is a big difference between a venue coordinator and a day-of coordinator. A venue coordinator is there just for the venue. They are there to make sure the heat or AC is on. They are there to handle a toilet if it gets backed up or any other venue-related issue. They are NOT there to run the ceremony or reception. They are not there to make sure everyone gets down the aisle in the right order. They are not the ones that coordinate set up and tear down. They are not responsible for coordinating any of the other vendors. It is great to have a venue coordinator, but you also must have a day-of coordinator to handle all those things and more.

WW: Thank you so much for all your wisdom and insights into wedding planners, Tina!

WW: That is understandable and great that you cover it all in that first session. What is a funny story about a wedding that you'd like to share?

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2021

Trends Boy, did 2020 throw us all off or what?! As the wedding season comes to a close, we know this year’s effects will last well into 2021. From postponed weddings to brides ready to go big after extra time to plan their weddings, 2021 will be a unique year for weddings. Here are some trends we see emerging for this next year.

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Colors:

Dusty rose, peach, grey, rust, rose gold, and sage tones.

Florals:

Heavy on greenery

PHOTO CRE DIT S A B E L MOME NTS

Textures: We will continue to see gorgeous textures used throughout all aspects of weddings. From linen paper invitations to beautiful seals on the envelopes, unique textures and tones will be used to elevate weddings in 2021.

PHOTO CRE DIT S A B E L MOME NTS

Buying Local: Shopping and buying local has always been popular, but in light of the COVID-19 shutdown, we will see more and more brides choosing to support local businesses in these challenging times. For what it's worth, we think this is great!

PH OTO C R E DIT KAI T LIN R O DGE R S

Vow Books:

PHOTO CRE DIT KA IT LIN RODG E RS

Writing your vows has always been a sweet tradition and has become extremely popular in the last few years.

We are seeing a new trend emerge with vows - Vow Books. These are small, beautiful books with your vows written in them to use on your wedding day and to have as a keepsake for years to come. Imagine curling up with your spouse on a cozy couch, celebrating your anniversary by re-reading the promises and commitments you made to one another on your wedding day!

Sign me up!

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PH OTO C R E D I T S AB E L M O M E N TS

Entertainment:

Playing off of the trend in extravagant weddings, we will also see entertainment emerge as a priority. Games for guests to play, live bands, DIY Gin bars, and anything else the couple sees fit to keep their guests engaged and happy will be a highlight of weddings in 2021!

Custom Neon Signs:

What is better than a new last name? A new last name in neon lights! Thanks to Instagram, 2021 will showcase a lot of custom neon signs as they continue to grow in popularity.

PH OTO C R E D I T S AB E L M O M E N TS

PH OTO C RE D IT T H EN EO N I ST.COM/ WE DDING-NEON-SIGN /

PHOTO C R E D I T RA EG A N B U C K L EY

Alternate Desserts: Not everyone likes wedding cake, and that’s okay! We’re seeing many brides moving towards alternative desserts. Fun things like donuts, cupcake bars, build your ice cream sundaes, and all the pies you can think of are hot this season!

PH OTO C R E D I T S AB E L M O M E N TS

PH OTO C RE DIT KAI T L I N RODGE R S

PH OTO CRED IT SABEL M OM ENTS

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PH OTO C R E D IT SA BE L MO ME NTS

Wedding Sizes: In light of COVID-19, we will see an uprise in micro weddings. These weddings will be perfect for intimate gatherings of just a few friends and family members to celebrate the couples’ nuptials, social distancing style.

We predict that the more predominant trend will be extravagant weddings. Couples have been cooped up for months on end, they have had extra planning time and are more ready than ever before to celebrate big with all their loved ones!

PHOTO CRE DIT SABEL MOME NTS

PHOTO C R E D I T S A B E L M O M E N TS

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"AND WHEN E V E RY T H I N G E L S E F A D E D AWAY, I T WA S O U R L O V E T H AT R E M A I N E D . "

WE DDINGS

SOCIAL DISTANCING STYLE H OW TO HAVE A S O C I A L LY DI STA NCE D WE DDI N G

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic we are in the middle of, a new trend in weddings has emerged Socially Distanced Weddings.

Never would we have thought things like masks and color-coded bracelets would become standard for weddings, but here we are… it’s 2020.

Here are some ideas to help you plan your Socially Distanced Wedding:

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Live-stream your wedding - chances are you are going to have to reduce your guest list drastically. Live-streaming your wedding for guests that cannot attend is an easy way to help others feel included. If you want to go above and beyond, send a little package ahead of time to the guests unable to join. You can include some bubbles, a few sparklers, a wedding ceremony program, and a gift card for some cake! Encourage your guests to partake in all that they can while watching your wedding.

Communicate with your venue - find out what precautions they have in place.

Are they sanitizing more often? Do they have extra rooms for your guests to spread out? Do they have an outdoor option? Chances are, you aren’t the first bride trying to get married there this season, so they may have tips and tricks from previous experience.

Personalized masks - embrace the mask. Get some cotton masks imprinted with your wedding date or your names on it, and have those available for guests. These aren’t very expensive and can easily turn into a wedding keepsake!

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4 5 6

Colored bracelets - at your guest book table, have a sign that gives instructions accompanied by color-coded bracelets. Encourage your guests to choose a bracelet based on their preferences - a green bracelet means “come on in for a hug.” A yellow bracelet means “let’s stick to fist bumps or elbows.” And a red bracelet means “keep your six-foot distance; thank you very much.” This helps to eliminate the guesswork of how your guests should interact with one another.

Hand Sanitizer - it’s a new staple. Find cute dispensers and incorporate them into your centerpieces!

Toss it all out the window and hire The Metro by Serendipity Events by Tina! This is a unique way to have a 100% COVID-19 safe wedding! Their Drive-Thru Weddings allow couples to make an appointment to get married at a drive-up converted van. Think Vegas style that’s mobile! You must have a marriage license three days before your appointment date.

a. W hen making your appointment, you can add items like hair flowers, a bouquet, a boutonniere, a vintage car to the drive-thru in, a photographer, an Elvis impersonator, live streaming, and more! b. At the time of your appointment, you will drive up to the service window of the van, and the ceremony will be performed, the marriage license will be signed, and you will receive the marriage license back with a commemorative keychain with a photo of the drive-thru wedding. c. They will also have a Wedding Delivery service where they will come to you! They will perform the ceremony in front of your home. All you have to do is walk outside and approach the van. The officiant will stay inside the van and will officiate the wedding through the service window. d. Serendipity Events will be launching The Metro in mid-September, and locations will be posted on their website and social media. e. Follow them on Facebook and Instagram at "Serendipity Events By Tina" for more information.

However you choose to incorporate social distancing into your big day, just remember that this day is for you and your husband first and foremost. At the end of the day, you get to be married; you can throw a big party later!

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Wedding Planning Timeline C

ongratulations on your engagement! It’s time to get planning your wedding, and you may have no idea where to begin, start here! We have provided an overall timeline meant to guide you through the next several months leading up to your big day. If you don’t have 12 months to plan your wedding, no worries! Just work on the items in each step of the timeline up to the milestone. Then keep going from there! Don’t let this overwhelm you; let it help you. Take a deep breath, remind yourself this is FUN, and let’s get going!

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11-12 Months Out • Determine your budget • Make a guest list • Hire a wedding planner • Decide formality and overall theme • Choose a color theme and overall design • Select the venue • Select the caterer • Hire vendors who book up quickly, including your photographer, band, DJ, and videographer

9-10 Months Out • Start shopping for your wedding dress • Book hotel-room blocks for your guests • Create your wedding website • Take engagement photos • Start looking at invitation designs • Buy your wedding dress - It's time to say "yes" to the dress if you want to avoid rush fees.

• Send Save the Dates

7-8 Months Out • Select the bridesmaids' dresses and schedule fittings within the month

• Meet with potential florists • Book the rehearsal dinner venue • Hire the ceremony musicians • Order rental items, such as specialty chairs, linens, any additional furniture, dance floor, etc.

• Hire an officiant

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5 Months Out • Book Your transportation for your wedding night (limo, specialty car, etc.)

• Book the honeymoon • Buy or rent the groom’s tuxedo • Select the groomsmen's attire and schedule fittings within the month • Begin premarital counseling • Choose your cake • Book a photo-booth rental

4 Months Out • Have your final tasting with the caterer • Buy wedding bands • Hair and makeup trial

3 Months Out • Order the invitations and hire a calligrapher • Create or plan your menu • Brainstorm guest favors and gift bags • Write your vows • Select readings for the ceremony • Meet with the officiant and invite him or her to the rehearsal dinner • Start crafting any DIY items if you haven’t already

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2 Months Out • Send the wedding invitations (with RSVPs due one month before the wedding)

• Send out rehearsal-dinner invitations (these can be included with the wedding invitations if you like) • First dress fitting • Buy wedding-party gifts • Do a floral mock-up with your florist • Give the song selections to Your Band or DJ and ceremony musicians • Buy all small items - this include table numbers, toasting flutes, cake topper, cake stand, cake knife, guest book, card box, ring-bearer accessories, flower-girl accessories, a cute hanger for your dress, and a garter. Don’t forget your signs (“Welcome,” “Guest Book,” “Dancing Shoes,” etc.).

1 Month Out • Assemble gift bags • Pay your vendors in full • Create a seating chart • Order or make your escort cards and place cards • Have a final venue walk-through • Put cash in tip envelopes for your planner to distribute

• Break-in your wedding shoes • Prepare your day of survival kit • Pick up your marriage license

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Final Week hew! You made it to the week of YOUR wedding! All the hard W work of planning is over at this point, so you can just focus on the nitty-gritty details to make sure your wedding goes off without a hitch! Here are some things to get done:

• Refresh your hair color • Get your eyebrows done • Get a manicure and pedicure • Getting a massage • Final dress fitting (pro tip: a friend or bridesmaid should come

with you so she can learn how to bustle if your dress requires it) • Pack your bags for the honeymoon (don’t forget your passport if you’re leaving the country), and confirm your travel arrangements • Get your ring cleaned • Chase any RSVP stragglers and deliver the final headcount • Clear your work to-do list so you can only focus on wedding festivities and take it all in • Practice your vows out loud • Write your partner a note

Night Before • Eat a healthy meal • Pack a clutch or small bag of personal items • Drink water • Get a good night's sleep • Put any boxes, suitcases, bags, and survival kits to bring to the ceremony or reception in the car (you'll thank us tomorrow)

The Morning Of • Drink water • Stay off your feet as much as possible • Eat breakfast • Drink even more water • Take your dress and veil out of the bag early on and have someone steam them if needed

• Layout all the items (rings, invitations, etc.) that you want your photographer to capture

• Exchange notes with your partner • Enjoy! This is your day!

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YO U' R E M AR R I E D,

NOW WHAT ?

All the planning was worth it. Your day was gorgeous and just how you’ve always imagined it. Was there some family drama or some sort of catastrophe? Probably, but you had the time of your life.

You went away on a beautiful honeymoon trip, and now you’re back to reality.

Chances are, planning your wedding has been the main focus for you and your new husband for quite some time. Now that it is over, what is your focus?

Sure, you have thank you cards to write (btw - the acceptable amount of time for you to send those bad boys out is three months - so get writing!), but you actually have

some time to dream about the future and enjoy time together!

Along with dreaming, there are a lot of practical things to do. Over the next few pages, you will hear our advice on finances, buying a home, and hosting friends.

Be sure not to forget to change your last name! Check out missnowmrs. com for great tools for doing just that.

Just remember, this is new territory for you and your new husband.

Give one another tons of grace, have an amazing amount of patience, and laugh as much as you can! Hang on tight, this ride called marriage is a blast!

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Financial Matrimony for Newlyweds WO R D S B Y H AY D E N H I L L

I

n November of 2018, I had the privilege of marrying my high school sweetheart. We had dated for ten years prior to getting married, so history was on our side in terms of "getting to know" one another. Being a couple of kids in college was when we learned the most about each other and what it takes to make a relationship work. What they say is true; communication is essential. Going periods of time without effective communication can lead to potential problems down the road.

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Communication The best piece of advice I could provide to a young couple is to communicate before marriage, not just about finances, but about everything! Discuss where you see yourself in ten years, discuss your career goals, discuss your current goals, and discuss any expected or current challenges. If you feel like things are getting serious or an engagement party is coming soon, then it is time to discuss the more personal details of your relationship, which could be family, religion, and last but certainly not least – finances.

Over time it is important to address each of these topics to ensure you both are on the same page.

When it comes to finances during marriage, full transparency and communication are very important.

Make it clear to one another that you will be transparent and included in big decisions regarding finances. Typically, with baby boomers or even Gen X, there is usually one spouse who takes point in handling finances for the entire family – this is what many of us grew up with and are accustomed to. Still, the millennial generation has gravitated more toward comanaging household finances. There is a statistic from Ramsey Solutions that shows money-related fights are the second leading cause of divorce, behind infidelity. (Cruze, 2020) That is a staggering statistic, which highlights what I mentioned earlier – be transparent, work together, and communicate effectively. Financial topics should be discussed and mutually agreed upon between spouses. Keeping each other informed will help you build and maintain a solid financial foundation.

A good target is to discuss financial goals together, at least on an annual basis. Just as you should discuss personal, health, and spiritual goals with your spouse, make sure finances are a part of this discussion as well. If a goal of both spouses is to buy a home within the next two years, then both need to discuss how to make this happen. How much do you need to save each month to make this a reality? What neighborhood do you want to live in? What schools do you want your kids to go to? What kind of payment can you afford? etc. Make sure that your spouse always feels included – no matter the conversation. Mutually defined decisions are key factors in having a healthy relationship. The keyword here is “decision” – it’s okay if one spouse is more financially knowledgeable than the other and handles bill paying, budgeting, or investing, but when it comes to decisions on any of those issues, both spouses should have an equal say!

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Financial Unity Once you are married, it is time to consider combining your finances. Typically, a commonly used option to increase transparency during marriage is to have jointly-owned accounts. You also have the option to keep accounts separate, which is fine, as long as you still communicate and are transparent. It’s important to note that money you have accumulated in a checking account, investment account, etc. before marriage is technically separate property. Therefore, if you are hesitant to combine these assets, that may be understandable – especially if the particular property is an inheritance.

Money accumulated during marriage is automatically considered joint property due to Texas being a community property state. Bottom line: it is crucial to be transparent with your spouse, and sometimes transparency can be improved with joint accounts over the long-term rather than separate accounts. Both are feasible options to consider in a marriage, as long as you agree on how you will manage joint finances. As with anything else, be open to compromise. You have both lived lives on your own and are now coming together as one, so it is imperative that you respect your spouse’s past life experiences and do your best to meet them in the middle. When it comes to your marriage, a mediocre

financial strategy that both spouses agree upon is better than the greatest financial strategy embraced by only one spouse.

Budgeting as a Couple Budgeting, I hate this word! No one I know, even in the financial planning profession, gets excited about the word budgeting. It is a necessity, especially for newlywed couples, so try your best to make it fun! My wife and I like to blare music and drink wine while we review our budget. It’s silly but helps make a mundane task more enjoyable. Don’t feel like you need to throw on a green visor and act like an accountant - make it fun!

Just for a quick example on how to budget: Let’s say you both have a goal to save for a down payment on a home.

First, identify how much money you will need and how much time you will allot to achieve this goal. From there, you will be able to break down how much you need to save each month. Next, develop a budget that will allow you to meet this monthly savings goal. If needed, seek out resources that are available to help guide you through this process. If you are still having trouble, talk with a Certified Financial Planner™ practitioner who can help guide you through the necessary steps. Additionally, there are a multitude of online resources and apps that can help you tackle a budget. Find what best suits your style and leverage the technology to make life easier and more organized.

Till Death Do Us Part The vow “till death do us part” is much more than a somewhat morbid way of saying you are romantically committing to your spouse for your entire lifetime.

Most people have heard the saying about life’s only certainties being death and taxes. So regardless of your relationship, you can enter your marriage knowing that you will pay taxes, and eventually you will die. It’s the latter part of that statement that may not have enough of your attention early on in your marriage. You are going from one person – a single unit – to a family. Two people that must die to self (figuratively) and operate as a unified couple.

the first few months of marriage in addition to changing your maiden name on your bank accounts: ·B eneficiaries: your retirement accounts and life insurance have beneficiaries. It’s time to revisit those named beneficiaries to determine if you should update to your spouse. ·E state planning: what happens to your assets if you die? What about your half of the community property?

What if you are incapacitated? Ideally, you should visit with an attorney about at least having a basic estate plan drafted: wills, power of attorney, etc. ·U ntimely death or disability: in the event of your death or loss of income to a disability, you don’t want to leave your spouse straddled with debt or without resources to move forward. Now is a good time to review your life insurance, disability insurance, and any other coverage or employee benefits you may have. ·L ooking to the future: one of the greatest gifts you could give one another in the initial stages of marriage is a written financial plan. You can bring all the concepts and ideas from this article together with a clearly defined path to move forward. Consult with a CFP® professional to make a plan!

Conclusion Overall, the couples we work with that have the most success are the couples that communicate. If it means sipping on wine and laughing, going on a weekend trip together, going on a date night, or just sitting in a car and talking, it needs to happen! Life will get busy, times will get challenging, kids/family/friends will occupy most of your time, but still finding the time to communicate will lead you to personal success and longterm financial success.

Cruze, R., 2020. Money Ruining Marriages In America: A Ramsey Solutions Study. [online] daveramsey.com. Available at: <https://www.daveramsey.com/pr/money-ruining-marriages-inamerica#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20new%20survey,cause%20 of%20divorce%2C%20behind%20infidelity.&text=Those%20 who%2 0say %2 0they %2 0have,%E2%8 0%9D%2 0or%2 0 %E2%80%9Cin%20crisis.%22> [Accessed 26 August 2020].

What that means for you is – you have someone else to look out for now. You likely never cared much about what would happen to you or your belongings in the event of your untimely demise while you were single, but with marriage comes the responsibility of planning for someone else’s future. A few things to consider in

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FIRST TIME

HOME BUYER TIPS

Now that the wedding is over, you may be looking towards buying a home. For many couples, this is the first time they will purchase a home, and it will be the first big financial commitment they make together.

Here are some tips featured on the Dave Ramsey blog titled “Tips for First Time Home Buyers.”

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Pay Of f A l l Debt a nd B u i ld a n E m er gency F u nd Owning a home is expensive—much more expensive than renting, even if your monthly house payment will be similar or cheaper than your current rent amount.

That’s because when you own a home, you’re responsible for all the maintenance and upkeep costs. And those can add up fast! So, before you even think about buying your first home, make sure you’re debt-free and have an emergency fund of three to six months of expenses in place.

Determin e How Mu ch Ho u s e Yo u C a n A ffo rd Before you get emotionally attached to a beautiful house, check your monthly budget to determine how much house you can afford. You need to leave room in your budget for other things, so make sure your monthly housing costs (including HOA fees, taxes, insurance, etc.) are going to be no more than 25% of your monthly take-home pay.

Save a Down Pay m ent If saving up to pay cash for the total price of a house isn’t reasonable for your family’s timeline, at least save for a down payment of 20% or more. Then you won’t have to pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI), which protects the mortgage company in case you can’t make your payments and end up in foreclosure. PMI usually costs 1% of the total loan value, and it’s added to your monthly payment.

Save for Closing C o s ts Along with your down payment, you’ll also need to pay for closing costs. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, you may be wondering how much it costs to close on a house.

On average, closing costs are about 3–4% of the purchase price of your home. Your lender will give you a specific number so you know exactly what to bring on the closing day. These fees pay for important steps in the home-buying process, including appraisal, home inspection, credit report, attorney and homeowner’s insurance.

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5 6 7 8 9 10

G e t P reapproved for a Lo a n Once you’re confident you have enough cash saved to pay for closing costs and 20% of your home, you’re ready to handle the other 80% by talking to a mortgage lender.

Get pre-qualified for a loan and take the extra time to get a preapproval letter before starting your home search. Pre-approval shows sellers that you’re a serious buyer, which is an excellent way for first-time homebuyers to get ahead in a competitive market.

Find a Home for Sale in Yo u r P r i ce Ra nge According to recent data reported by the National Association of Realtors (NAR), most buyers either found the home they purchased online or through a real estate agent. Doing both sets you up for success!

R e searc h Neigh borh oods fo r B e s t F i t After you’ve found some homes for sale in your price range, be careful not to make a decision based on the property alone. According to a NAR survey, home buyers are more willing to compromise on a home’s condition and size than on the quality of its neighborhood and distance from a school. So make sure you factor neighborhood quality and location into your decision.

Atten d Open Houses and Th i nk L o ng Ter m Once you’ve narrowed down the neighborhoods, attend a few open houses. Looking at homes that are for sale—even if they’re not a perfect fit for you—is a great way to learn more about the area. When you eventually find a house you love, you’ll know how your place compares to better or worse homes in that neighborhood.

When it comes to buying, a good strategy is to find the most affordable house in the best neighborhood. If you buy at the bottom of the price range in a good neighborhood, you’ll have more room to build home value.

Make a Compet it ive Of fer ( Th a t’s Wi th i n Yo u r B u d ge t!)

Let’s say you found the home you want and can afford. Since you’re already pre-approved for a loan, you’re ready to make an offer. If you’re a first-time homebuyer, it may be hard to know how much you should offer. That’s when you can rely on the expertise of your real estate agent.

Ask your agent to help you make sure your offer is competitive and within your budget and the home’s value. Be careful not to make an impulsive offer that’s higher than you can afford just to knock out the competition. A personalized letter might help your offer stand out among multiple bids in a hot market.

Prepare for Closing Once a seller accepts your offer, the closing process will begin. Keep things running smoothly by knowing what to expect when closing on a house. The average closing process takes 43 days, which gives you plenty of time to tackle closing items. A real estate agent will schedule the remaining steps from the home inspection to the final walkthrough, and they’ll keep you informed about any roadblocks.

Buying a home is an exciting and potentially stressful time for anyone. Be sure to involve a realtor you trust early on in the process. They are there to walk you through every step of the process, and you can truly rely on their expertise.

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"The Z eke D or r Team lead s the market w ith professional integ r ity and moder n transactions. O ur team researches and anticipates the best strateg y to execute in order to s ell homes quicker and for the best pr ice for our clients. The cur rent climate of the real estate market i s competitive . It i s our goal to make you comfor table and conf ident throug h e ver y step of the process. We are committed to getting the results you deser ve."

303 W Pearl St. Granbury, TX 76048

M A G N O L I A R E A L T Y. C O M 817-559-5812 | zekedor r@mag noliarealty.com

L U X U RY D E S I G N . FA M I LY A P P E A L .

CoutoHomes.com The values of the company have remained unchanged since 1984. Treat people right. Never go back on your word. Offer the highest-quality home, alongside quality service, for the best value. Our dedication to our craft is why we're one of the finest custom home builders in North Texas.

H O S T YO U R

FIRST GATHERING

One of my favorite things to do is host our friends for a meal at our home. My style of hosting has significantly evolved over the years. I think back to our first few meals in our home with friends, and I remember how incredibly stressed out I was. In my head, everything had to be perfect. That mentality is entirely unrealistic. Here I share some lessons I have learned over the years to thoroughly enjoy hosting gatherings.

1 2

Carefully choose your menu and prepare as much food in advance as possible.

Use a recipe that you have made a hundred times, and that you know just tastes great. This isn’t a great time to try a new recipe, as that will likely heap stress onto you! Choose something that you can easily make parts of ahead of time, eliminating the last-minute scrambling to get dinner on the table.

Master the art of the quick clean up. About 30 minutes before your guests arrive, walk through the house and tidy up anything you can. I am not talking a deep-clean of the coat closet - I am meaning putting the extra papers and receipts on the counter into a nearby drawer. Here are a few things I always check: a. Make sure there are some hooks or hangers near the door for your guests to use. b. Ensure the bathroom is stocked with extra TP, fresh hand towels, hand soap, a candle, and a small vase of flowers. c. Plump the cushions and pillows on the couch and put a few small decorative items on your coffee table. d. Toss any kids’ toys that are strewn about into their rooms or a storage compartment. Keep a close eye out for those pesky LEGOS - you certainly don’t want a guest stepping on one of those bad boys

3

Set the table in advance. This is a simple step you can complete well before your guests arrive. Having the table set is an excellent way for your guests to feel welcomed into your home.

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4 5

Set the mood - dim your lights a bit, light a candle in each of the main gathering areas you and your guests will be spending time in, and put some background music on.

Have a special drink made up in a pitcher, ready to be served to your guests when they arrive. This drink doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to be alcoholic (though that is typically my style!), but it can always be fun! Offering a fun drink to your guests is a great way to break the ice.

The most important thing to remember is to relax and enjoy your time. It is such a sweet and memorable time, having friends fill your home. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss it! There is no need to fret over the dinner or the little details. Your friends are there to be with you, so be present and engaged and enjoy the time!

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Offering private dining for your wedding rehearsal or private party, Restaurant Anise adds a bit more flavor to your special day!

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WHAT I WISH I WOULD HAVE

KNOWN Most married couples wish they would have done things differently. Several married women gave us their words of wisdom from their experiences to share with you. Our hope

is their words of wisdom can help guide your decisions for your own big day.

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J E S S I E O. “I am so glad we did a destination wedding with a big reception back home for the family. I wore the dress and all! I wish more extended family could have joined the ceremony, though. Make sure you have the wedding YOU want and not the one you think everyone wants you to have.”

DENA A. “I wish I would have done pictures the way I wanted (before the wedding). I didn’t want to make the guests wait & take a bunch after. So, in the end, we ended up having minimal pictures; it makes me sad! I'm glad we did a traditional American ceremony and a Nigerian reception that gave people a look at both of our worlds.”

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KAJSA R. “I wouldn’t have worried about what the families wanted, and I would have done things our way instead. We ended up with 300 guests when 100 would’ve been more than enough.”

JENNIFER C. “Hire the videographer. Try not to stress about every little detail.

J AC Q U E L I N E H .

Don’t be afraid to delegate.”

“It's not very common, but right after our ceremony, we went to a private room to

L A I S H A D.

eat, just the two of us. Our coordinator set out such a sweet little buffet for us

“We got it right on the venue,

so we could eat, talk, and reflect on the

catering, photography and up-

ceremony for about 30 minutes. That

lighting. Money well spent! I do

allowed us to then join our guests with

wish we had a videographer for

energy and then walk around and talk

the wedding ceremony. The words

with everyone.”

spoken by those who married us were so good, and I wish I had captured that rather than relying on memories.

For those who may have tenuous/ difficult/toxic relationship with their father, you absolutely can walk yourself down the aisle.”

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A M Y D. “Spend money on what you want people to remember. For us, it was weddings that had bands were the most fun and pictures (you can’t redo the day). So that’s where we spent money. My flower budget was minimal. If you get married in a beautiful place, you do need to bring in a ton of stuff.”

M I S T I W. L AC E Y S .

“I was so unbelievably glad we hired a day-of coordinator! She made me feel like I had no "small things" to sweat!

Something I'd change is making sure I got all of the split family pictures that I didn’t get. I never got one with just my mom. I would suggest you stay with your bridal party the night before! It's like one last bash without it being the big bachelorette weekend. It was fun for us all to have a wedding weekend together.”

“We had a private meeting before the ceremony. My husband waited at the front of the sanctuary, just like he would later, but it was empty. I walked down the aisle. We met, prayed, cried, and had some awesome moments that I’ll always cherish and remember. Then we took pictures, and we had a great time hanging with our wedding party and family while everyone arrived. Those private moments were precious, and we had so much fun waiting after that point because we were all together.”

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TRICIA B. “It was a perfect day, only 80 people invited, and all came. Family, church family, and close work friends. We shared communion and made a covenant to one another in front of all witnesses. It truly was the perfect day, because I did not doubt that God selected Roy for me. Our wedding was a gift of God restoring the gift of having a wedding in the church to a man

K E L LY C .

who was chasing after God with all his heart. Such a blessing to me.”

“I am so glad we did alcohol-free. I was

ANDREA C.

not worried about things getting out to

“This may sound weird, but I would

we didn’t miss it at all. Our guests may

hand, we saved a bunch of money, and

have included my mom more. I

have wished we had it, but I don’t regret

found a dress pretty early on and

it at all!!”

decided to buy it, and my mom wasn't present. Looking back, and being a mother myself now, I realize how difficult that must have been for her, and I wish I would have waited for her to come back with me. Huge regret. I also would have eaten less and worked out more the year leading up....but it is what it is!”

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AU R E A T. “We had family from near and far. Like from Ireland, Canada, Australia, etc. with so many out of town guests, we held four casual parties for them to attend. Since the actual wedding day is so busy, this was a huge blessing.”

OLIVIA B. “We purchased our flowers at the

R I TA G .

farmers market for decorating the wedding site and reception. It

“I wish we would've had a better

saved us a ton of money, supported

photographer and a bridal party. Take

a local farmer, and it was gorgeous.

some quiet time with your new husband and take it all in. I didn’t see my husband

We got gobs and gobs of flowers.

We did get the bouquets and

much after the ceremony. The day is

boutonnières done by a florist, but

about the two of you and no one else. A

everything else was from a farmer

wedding doesn't make a marriage. And

from the farmers market.”

lastly, marriage is tough. It isn’t 50/50.

It's 100/100, 40/60, 80/20. It ebbs and flows. You have to choose each other every day actively, and that can be HARD. Your spouse should come before everyone, including kiddos.”

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W E D D I N G S W E S T I S C R E AT E D A N D P U B L I S H E D B Y G R E E N F O X .

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Destination Weddings in Granbury…

Spend your special day in a grand ballroom overlooking the clear water of Lake Granbury…

Enjoy a cozy banquet venue where guests can warm by the lakeside firepits… Breathe in the fresh air at a beautiful rustic barn, making a perfect place for your reception. With a timeless Town Square centered around an historic courthouse bustling with character and charm, Granbury has no shortage of venues. Some large, some small, formal or casual, on the lake or countryside, select the perfect place today for your destination wedding in Granbury, Texas.

Photography by McGowan Images

To Find Your Perfect Venue

Visit Granbury – City of Granbury Convention & Visitors Bureau

201 E. PEARL STREET SUITE A101 GRANBURY, TX 76048

Vintage Old World Charm... Modern Luxuries La Bella Luna is nestled in a heavily wooded 10 acres, just 7 miles from the historic granbury square.

Close to town yet feels a world away, you will discover gardens, a pond, fountains, and open fields. At La Bella Luna we want to assist in making the most anticipated day of your life all youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve dreamed of.

For your wedding or next celebration, La Bella Luna is here to make it a lifetime memory.

7700 Glen Rose Hwy. Granbury, TX 76048

(817)964-4073

www.labellalunatx.com