Dallas Weddingbee Meetup – Thursday, May 31st at 6:15 PM
16 May 2012 Leave a Comment
Howdy hive! I hope everyone’s wedding planning is going along splendidly.
This post is for any Dallas, Texas area bees! We have a Meetup planned for Thursday evening, May 31st, at Times Ten Cellars in Dallas.
Everyone is welcome (new to the boards, old to the boards, not yet married, already married)! Here are the details:
Thursday, May 31st
6:15 P.M.
Times Ten Cellars
6324 Prospect Avenue, Dallas
http://timestencellars.com/home_dallas.html
Here’s the thread with additional discussion.
I can’t wait to see some friendly faces and meet some new ones. I hope you will join us!
End of the (Tight) Rope
06 Feb 2012 1 Comment
Dearest Hive,
I guess it is time to step off the tightrope, move down the ladder, and on to other circus activities.
Personal Photo
The recaps are done, and I’ve shared just about every single solitary detail that I can muster about our wedding.
Weddingbee will always remain a huge part of my life. I’ll never be able to think about our wedding without thinking about Weddingbee. You all were a huge source of support and inspiration to me, and I’m so thankful I was able to be a part of this wonderful community at first as r.elliott on the waiting boards, then as Miss High Wire, and then finally, a Mrs.
If you’d like to take a trip across the tight rope of our wedding planning journey, I’ve set up our Wiki page for easy browsing.
I’ll still be around the hive on the boards and in the comments, and maybe I’ll pop in for a post now and again. I just know I can’t quit you!
This community has been the absolutely most supportive and friendly online community I’ve ever been around. I’m really proud of what we’ve all built here, and I hope it will always be a place of kind suggestions and thoughtful critique. Thank you for all that you contribute to this wonderful hive.
I hope you all have perfectly perfect, magical wedding days. If you need anything, I’m here. Like, you know, maybe a virtual 5-five? Here’s one to start with.
Photo by Joy Neville Photography
When I’m not buzzing around here, I’ll be busy with daily updates over at my personal blog, Really Rachel E. There are all kinds of goodies on there to enjoy, if you need some new reading material. I talk about silly things like my zombie apocalypse plans, my yoga journey, and married life.
Photo by Joy Neville Photography
Good-bye!
All my love,
Rachel
Highwire Vendor Reviews
01 Feb 2012 2 Comments
Very Highly Recommended
Clark Gardens – Venue
We had an absolutely magical wedding day at Clark Gardens. With Texas facing one of the worst droughts on record, I couldn’t believe how lush and stunning the gardens were for our wedding day. To make it extra perfect, the staff even replanted and ordered thousands of extra flowers for our specific area of the gardens. They also updated and replaced the chandeliers in our reception tent the day before the wedding.
When I needed an internet connection to post to Weddingbee the night before the wedding, the event coordinator picked me up and drove me to her office so I could use her computer. Talk about amazing customer service!
The staff at Clark Gardens went way above and beyond all of our expectations. It is a little far out from the metroplex, but absolutely worth the drive, 100%. I would recommend to anyone looking for a beautiful garden wedding.
Joy Neville Photography – Photography
I was so pleased to work with Joy Neville of Joy Neville Photography. Her work was stunning, and we had a really great time having her as a part of our wedding team. She did a wonderful job bringing our retro engagement session to life, and was an irreplaceable asset on our wedding day.
She brought two additional assistants to help with the wedding day, and we were extremely satisfied with their professionalism and talent.
Her turn around time was extremely quick for our engagement session, and we got an early delivery of our wedding day photos as well. She was always available via e-mail or phone to go over details and answer questions. She also had an extremely soothing personality, which was vital during the hectic wedding day.
Escada Weddings – Day of Coordinator
Shelley with Escada Weddings went above and beyond! She was always extremely prompt and responsive to any questions I had leading up to the wedding. We met a couple of times beforehand and she was always very professional and easy to work with. During the rehearsal she did a wonderful job giving direction and orchestrating where everyone needed to go. On the wedding day, she took all of our wedding "stuff" and put everything exactly where it needed to go. She kept everything on perfect schedule and was extremely flexible when we needed to change the timeline up at the last minute. She helped keep me totally stress free on my wedding day, which was exactly what I wanted. I have nothing but good things to say and would definitely recommend her to anyone needing a wedding planner! You are getting a steal of a deal when you hire her.
Blue Mesa – Catering
I had a wonderful experience working with the catering manager, Brenda, as we planned our wedding. She met us at a Blue Mesa location and hosted a wonderful tasting for me, Mr. HW and my mother.
She even met us at the venue before the wedding day to discuss the floor plan.
Everyone had rave reviews about the food. We thought it was absolutely delicious! At the end of the night, they sent all the leftovers home with us and the wedding party enjoyed a delicious midnight snack later on.
Blue Mesa also provided bartenders who poured delicious drinks all night. Brenda also helped me put together an order for glass rentals for the wedding day.
They also cut and served our cake at no additional cost. What amazing customer service!
Amazing food, very responsive and available contact person, and pleased guests. Couldn’t ask for more!
Hair by Jessica - Hair Styling
Jessica was a last minute addition to our wedding day vendor team, and she did a wonderful job. We met a few weeks prior for a trial run and loved her personality. She arrived to the venue on time and worked diligently to get everyone’s hair done in time. I was extremely pleased with the outcome and affordability of her service.
Recommended
Complete Music – DJ Services
We loved having Rick at Complete Music DJ our wedding! He was very responsive and kept the dance floor rocking all night long. Would definitely recommend!
The Retreat at Clark Gardens – Accommodations
The wedding party stayed at the Retreat at Clark Gardens (the guest house on the property), which provided an absolutely calm and serene place to gather during the wedding weekend. I felt relaxed and rejuvenated the whole time.
David’s Bridal – Bridal Gown, some of the bridal party dresses
I had pleasant experiences during all of my appointments at David’s Bridal. All of the dresses were delivered on time, and the alterations were done for an affordable price in a timely manner. Many brides have different experiences depending on which location they went to, so I will share that I worked initially with the north Dallas location, before transferring up to the Frisco store because it was closer to my home.
Pneuma Center – Officiant
We had a wonderful experience working with Dr. Lon and Sharon Roberts of Pneuma center. They were extremely supportive and easy to work with. We liked that they were experienced in inter-faith ceremonies, and they provided lots of possible readings and ceremony words that we could use to craft our own ceremony. They delivered on everything that was promised.
Shop Ketubah.com – Ketubah
I was really pleased with how our Ketubah came out. All names were spelled correctly, and the shipment arrived seamlessly and on time. It is on display in our home and it makes me happy to look at every time I see it!
Overall, we were very happy with our vendors on our wedding day. They helped make it really wonderful!
Last Minute Projects
30 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
There were a few last minute projects that came together the week before the wedding that I wanted to share with you. I had sort of given up on any more DIY projects in the weeks leading up to the wedding, and then I got one final burst of inspiration in the last week.
First, I put together a simple ribbon bouquet from our shower gifts to use at our rehearsal.
My supplies: a bouquet holder, a Styrofoam center, and I used alteration pins to put all the ribbons into the bouquet.
And of course, a big box of ribbons.
I started by putting the big purple sheer ribbon on the bottom, and pulled it through so it stuck out of the end of the bouquet.
The rest of the ribbons found little homes all around the base of the bouquet, until I filled it up.
And then it was complete!
Finishing up our rehearsal
Next, I made personalized hangers for each of the girls to hang their dress on for the wedding day.
Supplies: Wooden hangers, Sharpie paint pens, and some scratch paper to practice
(Animal fur optional)
I practiced my lettering for a bit before starting to work on the actual hangers.
And then I moved on to the actual hangers themselves.
Ta-da!
This last one doesn’t really qualify as a “project” per-say, but I spent a fair bit of time on it, so I wanted to share our gift wrapping for the thank you gifts to our bridal party.
I took a couple of trips to the stationery store to pick out special wrapping paper for each of the gifts. Each person got wrapping paper that I thought matched their style.
All packed up and ready to go!
The gift wrap was kind of a splurge, but I hope it made the gifts feel a little more special to our bridal party.
Did you do any last minute projects leading up to the wedding?
Walk the Line: Ending Things Right
25 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
As the reception came to a close, I wanted to make sure the bridal party knew how to get back to the guest house in the dark, so I hopped onto a golf cart full of people and headed towards the house. I’m not sure if I had grand plans to return to the reception tent to say goodbye to people or what (I was slightly inebriated at the time), but I just carted out of there and never returned. So, for all the guests who I just left there without saying goodbye, my sincerest apologies!
We brought the two kegs we had supplied for the reception back to the house, and several people got to work attempting to float them before the evening was over. They were unsuccessful. I’d label most our 140 guests as pretty heavy drinkers (especially during a celebratory occasion) but with the margarita machine and full bar, we probably could have just ordered one keg instead of two. 
Everyone tried their best, but the next day there were still two kegs with beer inside!
The evening ended in the best way possible, back at the relaxing guest house by the pool with our best friends and closest family. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end the day.
All photos personal
And with that, our wedding day came to a close. The following day we slowly roused, cleaned up the house, and packed everything into cars. The weekend was surreal, and at first I had a hard time recalling any of the memories while we rejuvenated in Jamaica. I think my body and mind just needed a break from it all for a week. Once we returned from our trip, the memories came floating back and I’m happy to have them to cherish forever.
Photo by Joy Neville Photography
I’ve got a few more posts up my sleeves to share with ya’ll that we haven’t had a chance to chat about yet, so stay tuned for those.
Need to catch up on the High Wire Wedding?
- Our wedding weekend began
- We took a Friday morning hike and a had bridal luncheon
- We rehearsed
- We signed the Ketubah
- We started the day with some yoga
- The girls started to get themselves ready and the boys started working on getting the venue ready
- I shared our bridal party thank you gifts
- We took care of the last few preparations
- I put on my wedding dress
- We had our first look
- We took pictures with our bridal party
- We got married
- I shared some sights at the reception
- We had our first dance and cut the cakes, but were anxious to get the party started
- Everyone enjoyed the photo booth
Walk the Line: Photo Booth Fun
23 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
We had a photo booth set up in the tent for guests to enjoy. We supplied some of our own props, and our awesome photographer team brought some as well.
My great aunt and our photographer, Joy
Usher Matt, Bridesmaid Sara, and Groomsmen Russ
Bridesmaid Rivae showing off her tanning malfunction and her disgruntled boyfriend, Billy.
Our flower girl/diva Ava
Even our officiant joined in the photo booth fun.
My groom and I
My fabulous bridesmaids enjoyed themselves at the photo booth!
I’m glad everyone got into it.
My silly dad and I
Bridesmaid Sara and Groomsman Russ
My awesome co-workers
Mr. HW’s long-time high school friends
My awesome in-laws
Groomsman Jerrad and Bridesmaid Lisa
Thank you, good-night!
The party was supposed to wind down at this point. We needed to clean up and the bridal party needed to get back to the guest house for the night…
All photos by Joy Neville Photography
Need to catch up on the High Wire Wedding?
- Our wedding weekend began
- We took a Friday morning hike and a had bridal luncheon
- We rehearsed
- We signed the Ketubah
- We started the day with some yoga
- The girls started to get themselves ready and the boys started working on getting the venue ready
- I shared our bridal party thank you gifts
- We took care of the last few preparations
- I put on my wedding dress
- We had our first look
- We took pictures with our bridal party
- We got married
- I shared some sights at the reception
- We had our first dance and cut the cakes, but were anxious to get the party started
- We danced the night away
Walk the Line: Party Rockers in the House Tonight
12 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
With the majority of the reception “to-do’s” behind us, it was time to get the party started!
There was LOTS of two steppin’.
And a little bit of line dancing.
Mr. HW and I made sure to spend a little time at each table visiting with our guests and thanking them for coming.
Guests were definitely feeling the love. I just adore the picture below! She caught the bouquet…so maybe there will be wedding bells for these two soon!
More love!
Cousin love:
Mother-son love:
Love for only one night 
:
Bride and groom love:
Mr. HW was adamant about including the traditional Jewish Hora dance!
Our photographers knew how to get people to smile! They partied on the dance floor all night long.
Isn’t she stunning?!
After a few songs, it was time to throw the bouquet and the garter!
Mr. HW liked the surprise Dallas Cowboys garter I got for him! Let’s not bring up the Cowboys season this year. Phew. Rough.
After the garter toss there was lots more dancing and merriment.
By this point in the evening, my FIL was over the tuxedo thing. In fact, he was over it about 5 minutes after the ceremony ended. 
Occasionally, guests needed a smoke break.
As time went on, things started to get a little silly.
This a picture of me, my parents, and my MIL’s leg. I have no idea why we felt the need to expose this part of ourselves all at the same time.
He’s drinking a glass of whiskey. A GLASS.
Uncle D may or may not have taken a nap in the grass shortly after this.
Yes, this is my BIL doing a keg stand.
Our ring bearer spent the whole night on the dance floor showing off his mastery of dance.
When people needed a break from the dance floor, we had a little photo booth action going on in the corner…
All photos by Joy Neville Photography
Need to catch up on the High Wire Wedding?
- Our wedding weekend began
- We took a Friday morning hike and a had bridal luncheon
- We rehearsed
- We signed the Ketubah
- We started the day with some yoga
- The girls started to get themselves ready and the boys started working on getting the venue ready
- I shared our bridal party thank you gifts
- We took care of the last few preparations
- I put on my wedding dress
- We had our first look
- We took pictures with our bridal party
- We got married
- I shared some sights at the reception
- We had our first dance and cut the cakes, but were anxious to get the party started
