Steal This Idea

Real Dallas couples share the special touches that made their big day unique.

photography by Krause Studio

“I really wanted a fun, vibrant feel for my wedding. My husband got my ring from Tiffany’s, so I knew instantly that I wanted our main color to be ‘Tiffany blue.’ Each place setting had a replica of the Tiffany’s box, made by Stacey Murdoch from The Wildflower, with assorted candies inside. Luckily, our bright, bold colors helped disguise a rainy and muggy day.”
—Rachel Merkord to Michel Saint-Cyr on May 25, 2007

photography by Krause Studio

“We had a bubble machine to greet my husband and I as we left the reception. We wanted to send all of our guests home with something that was reminiscent of our special day, so that’s why we gave everyone a set of bubbles. We also wanted mini groom’s cakes. In addition to those that our guests could eat, we had some they could take with them. If they chose to take one with them, the cake was put in a white box with our monogrammed initials on it.”
—Karen Elizabeth Bates to Derrick Wayne Novakowski on June 23, 2007

photography by Carpe Vita Photography

“The personalized candy bars were actually my mother’s suggestion. My mom removed the original wrappers and rewrapped the bars in wrapping paper. Then she made labels with our names and the wedding date. We put eight bars on the tables around the centerpieces, so people could take them as favors when they left. It ended up being an elegant yet affordable alternative.”
—Kathleen Elizabeth Quinn to Tyler William Fultz on May 19, 2007

photography by Recollections Studio

“I really wanted my wedding to reflect my Mexican heritage. As keepsakes for our guests, we had authentic Mexican clay plates at each place setting with our names and the date on them. Over the dance floor hung papel picado, which is often used in Mexico as decoration for parties. We also had a paper flower centerpiece with very bright, vibrant colors.”
—Ana Ibarra to John Avila on April 27, 2007

(left) photography by Julie Collins/Christine Hall Photography (right) photography by Aspen Light Photography

“To me, the trolley is so iconic of downtown Savannah. Being from Savannah, I wanted to include something in our day that I associated with my hometown. I wanted my wedding party and immediate family to be transported together from the ceremony to the reception, so the trolley was not only a fun and accommodating means of transportation for us, but it also was very special.”
—Ann Marie Fickett to Mason Blackwell Bishop on May 5, 2007

“Instead of giving wedding favors, Mark and I wanted to do something more meaningful. We had cards at every table for our guests to sign, and we included those with 50 care packages, filled with specific, requested items, for our troops in Iraq.”
—Melissa Jane Burke to Mark Edward Baumann on August 11, 2007

(left) photography by JP Beato III Photography (right) Absolute Photography

“My husband and I knew we didn’t want a typical groom’s cake. So instead we had one that was representative of what was significant for us both. My husband works for a winery, and drinking wine together is something we really enjoy. Not many people at our wedding realized that it was a cake until we cut into it. The details on this cake were just fabulous, and it was so special for us.” —Sally Frances Street to Evan Reed Batt on June 9, 2007

“My husband and I were in the same third-grade class. We started dating our sophomore year of high school and have been sweethearts ever since. We both went to the University of Texas, and the Texas-shaped cake was totally my fiancé’s idea. He actually suggested putting the longhorn on the cake instead of the typical star that’s on our state flag. I loved it.”
—Shelly Lehr Rogers to Christopher Eckenrode on July 14, 2007