If you’re in the throes of betrothal, you probably have what’s commonly referred to in the bridal biz as a case of “nuptial nerves.” Not to worry. Especially if you’re planning to say “I do” in Dallas. There are more wedding apparel boutiques, bridal gift registeries, reception sites, photographers, caterers, musicians and florists in the metroplex than you can shake $10,000 at. And that, dearly beloved, is the average amount couples will spend on weddings in Dallas this year. The figure, based on reports from The Wall St. journal and CBS’s “48 Hours,” is called to our attention by an engaged pair who spent so much time and energy researching Dallas-area wedding services that they felt compelled to produce “The Coopwood & Fields Guide to Planning a Wedding in Dallas.”
Denise Coopwood and Alan Fields completed research for “The Guide” in 1988, quietly going about their note taking and cake testing, leaving interviewees to believe they were merely researching services for their own wedding. As it turns out, the tireless efforts of these two lovebirds is to the benefit of anyone planning such an affair in Dallas.
Intended as a consumer reference guide, not an etiquette book or a fill-in-the-blank wedding planner, this first edition of “The Guide” includes reviews of more than 125 Dallas-area stores and services rated on a one-to-three wedding bell scale (one is good, three is excellent). Factors included quality of service, professionalism, price and creativity. Coopwood and Fields also included symbols for good value, unusual options and fast service in order to help engaged couples better find services they need. (It’s important to note there is no paid advertising in “The Guide,” nor did any company pay any consideration to be mentioned.)
During the first week of its release in late November 1988, the little blue, 200-page paperback found itself rated the number two attraction under the Local, Paperback General category of The Dallas Morning News’ Best Sellers listing. The book lists for $8.95 and can be found at any Dallas County location of Taylors or Bookstop bookstores.
And one final note: Coopwood and Fields plan a progressive wedding scheduled for the end of this summer, beginning in Coopwood’s Colorado home town, continuing in Dallas where the Fields clan resides, and wrapping up with one last hurrah in Austin, the authors’ current address.
EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK…
Once two people decide to get married, it’s not like they’re suddenly experts on the subject of planning a wedding. And it’s not something they taught us in school – at least not until now. Open to brides, grooms and mothers of each, a two-evening seminar entitled “Planning Your Wedding” will be offered in March through the continuing education departments at Eastfield and Richland Colleges.
Bernice Crudden and Melinda Mil-stead, professional wedding consultants and partners in Creative Traditions, will draw from their extensive research to inform you of what’s happening in the Dallas wedding market. Classes feature guest speakers and experts in wedding-related fields. Students receive a packet of valuable materials with money-saving ideas. Call Eastfield, (214) 324-7113 or Richland, (214) 238-6144 for more details.
DON’T FORGET…
The License
Records Building
500 Main Street, Room 301 (214) 653-7559 or (214) 653-7131 Monday -Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.
Applying for a marriage license is not optional, and whatever you do – don’t wait until a day or two before the ceremony to drop by the Dallas Records Building. You must wait 72 hours from the time you get the license until the actual wedding. The cost is $25 in cash and the two of you must be present with Texas driver’s license (or certified copy of birth certificate) and Social Security number in hand. No blood test is required.
Getaway Transportation
Want to make a memorable exit from your wedding or reception? Here are a few ideas:
Dallas Surrey Service -(214) 946-9911
DART (Charter Service)-(214) 828-6841
AMTRAK-1-800-872-7245
Metro Trolley Line -(214) 630-8008
How about being whisked away from your wedding in a hot air balloon or a helicopter? A sailboat or yacht? Limousine or Yellow Cab? Limited only by the location of your event, all of the above wedding getaway options are possible in Dallas. Check out the listings in your Yellow Pages.
TEN NEW WEDDING TRENDS IN 1989
Long Engagements. With all the planning needed for larger, more elaborate weddings, how could it be otherwise?
Larger Wedding Parties. Six, eight or more bridesmaids with as many ushers is not unusual. Brides and grooms are older these days, and they’ve made lots of friends.
Food stations. Instead of one long buffet table with one long line, there are several smaller tables each with a different course or fare. This arrangement offers variety and eliminates the waiting.
Ethnic and Regional Customs. How exciting to see individual traditions emerge as two families blend into one. Many couples integrate their weddings with tradition through music, menu, color scheme and floral arrangements.
Unusual Locations. From boats and barges to museums and mansions, unusual settings lend a special character to a special event.
The Wedding Weekend. When everybody is coming in from somewhere else, the couple, their families and friends want to spend time with special guests and make a weekend of it.
A Change in Menus. Heavy, meat-and-potatoes meals are out; lighter fare is in such as salads, pastas, seafood and regional specialties.
Romantic Touches. Whether large and formal or small and informal, all weddings these days are showing the attention to small details that make them both personal and “pretty.”
Larger Guest List. No longer just predominantly the parents’ friends, today’s guest lists are composed of “yours, mine, ours and theirs.” The wide range of ages and tastes means a couple has to consider them all when choosing locations, music, menu, etc.
Shared Expenses. The truth is that wedding costs have escalated. Now that brides and grooms are older and more likely to be working professionals, they may want to pay for all or part of their own wedding. Or their parents may agree to divide the expenses.
From Modern Bride Magazine
PLACES OF THE HEART Choosing the wedding site should be tops on your to-do list once you’ve set the date. You’ll want to reserve the spot of your choice early on as some locations are booked one year, even two, in advance. Following are some popular Dallas-area spots in which to say “I do” or celebrate that you did!
Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Society Headquarters, 8617 Garland Road. Overlooking White Rock Lake, five available gardens make this Dallas landmark a natural environment in which love can blossom. A full kitchen is available and you can provide your own caterer or choose from several they recommend. The space rents for $700, which reserves the spot for four hours, To make an appointment, call (214) 327-8263.
Dallas Nature Center, 7555 Wheat-land Road. This site features an outdoor pool and pavilion against a delicate backdrop of wildflowers. Prices range from $250 and up, depending on whether or not you use both outside and inside facilities. The Nature Center has a full dining and kitchen area, and food and alcoholic beverages are permitted. Contact Geoffry Tait at (214) 296-1955 for further details.
Old City Park, 1717 Gano. Nestled barely within reach of downtown, this quaint, historic spot features the tiny Pilot Grove Church, a nondenominational chapel built in the 1890s. Now equipped with central heat and air, the chapel seats 125 and rents for $300 plus a $50 refundable security deposit. Call Betty Kelsey at the Dallas County Heritage Society, (214) 421-5141.
Perkins Chapel on the Southern Methodist University campus, Mockingbird at Hillcrest. This red brick, Georgian-style church with its dramatic center aisle and arched stained glass windows seats 350 to 400 people. The chapel rents for $375, which includes one hour of rehearsal, the services of an organist, and directed parking for wedding guests. Perkins Chapel has four weddings a week, spaced three hours apart on Saturday only. To reserve the chapel, call Patsy Affleck at (214)692-3035.
OUT-OF-THE-ORDINARY SITES:
The Lagoon at Fair Park. Call Sandra Matney at (214) 670-8795 for information.
Dallas Museum of Art, 1717 N. Harwood. (Receptions only, and must be an associate member of the DMA.) Call Richard Suttman at (214) 922-0220 for details.
Union Station, 400 S. Houston St. for reservations contact Lisa Coughron at (214)651-1234.
Texas Queen Riverboat, departing from Elgin B. Robertson Park on Lake Ray Hubbard, I-30 and Dalrock Rd. Call (214) 771-0039.
Southfork Ranch, Parker Road at FM 2551, Piano. (214)442-6536.
Hotel Sites:
The Mansion on Turtle Creek, 2821 Turtle Creek Blvd. (214) 559-2100
Marriott Mandalay at Las Colinas, 221 E. Las Colinas Blvd., Irving. (214) 556-0800
The Adolphus, 1321 Commerce. (214) 742-8200
The Hotel Crescent Court, 400 Crescent Court. (214) 871-3200
The Grand Kempinski, 15201 Dallas Pkwy. (214) 386-6000
The Melrose Hotel, 3015 Oak Lawn Ave. (214)521-5151
The Westin at the Galleria, 13340 Dallas Parkway. (214) 934-9494
Loew’s Anatole-The Peacock Terrace, 2201 Stemmons Frwy. (214) 748-1200
*For information on park sites, contact the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department at (214) 428-2610. Contact the Dallas Historical Society at (214) 421-5136 and the Historic Preservation League at (214) 821-3290 for information on restored mansions available for reservations. Also, private and country clubs are often options – even for non-members – as long as you have a member sponsor.
YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY BABY
Traditionally, brides have been the overseers of all wedding preparations, but all that is changing as Americans marry later (the median age of first-time brides is 23, first-time grooms is 25), and weddings typically involve working couples with a combined annual income of over $40,000.
Beyond paying for flowers and the honeymoon, it used to be that the groom’s primary responsibility was simply to show up at the wedding. Today, however, wedding expenses are frequently shared by the parents of both bride and groom – and increasingly by the couple themselves.
Cele Lalli, editor-in-chief of Modern Bride, agrees that a growing number of today’s grooms want an equal role in wedding plans and don’t want to be viewed merely as “rent-a-groom” on the big day. “Weddings today increasingly reflect the couples’ lifestyle and tastes, and not simply their parents,” Lalli observes. “As a result, men are taking a bigger part in plans and decisions.”
“Today, grooms don’t shy away from accompanying their fiances to wedding showers. And they frequently help write invitations and thank you notes,” says Lalli. “Marriage means sharing, and the partnership begins when the bride and groom plan their wedding together.”
WhAT TO DO AFTER THE DATE IS SET
Once you’ve decided to get married you’ll need to start working out the details immediately. Here’s a quick check list to make sure the blessed event stays that way.
Location. Decide where you want to have your ceremony and book it now. Also, arrange for the clergyman or presiding official at the same time.
Reception. Ditto. Select and book the location as soon as possible.
Photographer. The best wedding photographers are booked quite a few months in advance. And be prepared to pay for quality photography. Most experts agree that up to one-third of your entire wedding budget will be spent on photography. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Like how long will the photographer be at the wedding and reception? What does the wedding package include? Agree to a final amount of photos – and a price – in advance.
Wedding cake. Order the wedding cake and arrange for catering if necessary. (Most hotels will handle everything, including the wedding cake, catering, and bartenders. Depending on the location of your reception you may have to handle all of this. So be prepared.)
Florist. Decide on decorations for the wedding and the reception. And don’t forget bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids, boutonnieres for the groom and ushers and corsages for mothers. Ask your florist to make several sample arrangements for you so you can choose the one you like.
Invitations. Before ordering, call around for bids. And once again, ask for samples before making a decision. When ordering, don’t forget to print napkins, thank-you notes, notecards or whatever all at the same time. (While we’re on the subject of invitations, it’s never too early to plan your guest list.)
Jewelry, Depending on your point of view this may be the first thing on your list. If you intend to have custom rings made, remember to allow for plenty of time.
Wedding dress. Don’t give up until you find exactly what you want. And please shop early enough, so when you do find the perfect dress you’ll have time for alterations. At this point you’ll also need to arrange for tuxedos for the groom and the ushers, and of course, dresses for the bridesmaids.
Gifts. Register with the bridal consultants at the department or gift stores of your choice.
Honeymoon. Unless you’re adept at planning vacations, you may want to turn this responsibility over to a reputable travel agency. It’s one less headache for
you.
Miscellaneous:
●Don’t forget to schedule a rehearsal for the day before the wedding. Decide in advance if the groom’s family is handling the rehearsal dinner or if it’s a joint responsibility.
●Do you want a limousine for the bride and groom or the wedding party?
●Don’t forget gratuities for clergy. And also, don’t forget gifts for the wedding party.
●Do you have out-of-town guests coming in? If so, you can probably make arrangements with the hotel hosting your reception. If your reception isn’t at a hotel, you can still get a better rate for guests by reserving a block of rooms at a time.
●Do you want a band at your reception? If so, book in advance and make sure you hire a band with a good reputation, or even better, one you have heard.
A few words of wisdom:
The bride and groom need to discuss every aspect of the wedding including budget and Individual responsibilities. Leave nothing to chance. Give yourselves deadlines and stick with them. If Mom and Dad are involved in the preparations be perfectly honest with them about what you and your intended want. Remember, it’s your wedding.
RESOURCES
Al’s Formal Wear
6713 W. Northwest Hwy. (214) 368-6439
5100 Belt Line Rd. (Addison) (214) 788-4472
7632 Campbell Rd. (214) 248-8686
1378 E. Belt Line Rd. (Richardson) (214)690-6431
260 Wynnewood Village (214) 943-4301
3255 West Camp Wisdom (214) 339-6333
2810 Trinity Mills (Carrollton) (214) 416-6679
1350 E. Northwest Hwy. (Garland) (214) 270-6567
2614 North Beltline (Irving) (214) 252-6504
641 West Piano Pkwy. (Plano) (214)423-1275
CHARLES JOURDAN SHOES
13350 Dallas Partway (Galleria) (214)934-2945
Crate & Barrel
13350 Dallas Parkway (Galleria)
(214) 392-3411
220 NorthPark Center (214) 696-8010
Ellis Enterprises
913 Canyon Creek Square (214) 247-4747 contact: Marcus Ellis
Fabsco
Inwood Village on Lover’s Lane, Suite 240 (214) 350-8246
Gingiss Formal Wear
2527 Royal Lane (214) 241-6860
NorthPark Center (214) 696-5796
Valley View Mall (214) 661-0557
Red Bird Mall (214) 296-2911
Town East Mall (Mesquite) (214) 270-5491
Collin Creek Mall (Piano) (214) 422-7572
Irving Mall (Irving) (214) 252-8544
Dallas Hilton Hotel
4801 LBJ Frwy. (214) 661-3600 contact: Lou Ann Freeman, Director of Catering
Jackson’s lemmon ave. Pottery-Florist-Garden Center
6950 Lemmon Ave. (214) 350-9200
Jim Allen Photography
4410 Lovers Lane (214) 368-0563
MARJ’S
Inwood Village on Lover’s Lane, Suite 240 (214)351-4921
Park Inn Plaza Hotel
1914 Commerce St. (214) 747-7000 contact: Diana Rhodes, Director of Catering
Terry Costa
3211 Irving Blvd. (214) 634-8089
Westin Hotel Galleria
13340 Dallas Parkway (214) 934-9494 contact: Carol Minden, Director of Catering
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