Archives for January 2016

Vendor Spotlight: Bella Acento

January 30, 2016
Ask The Expert

Photo courtesy of F8Studio

A beautiful and creative way to showcase your personal style on your wedding day can be done through rentals. These rentals can range from chargers and china to luxury seating. These unique pieces and settings allow you to thread your style and design and pull it through each element of your wedding day décor. Our latest vendor spotlight features Bella Acento, a full-service event décor and design studio. Here is what fearless leader Leslie Cole had to say about weddings and event design!

Photo courtesy of The Mamones

When and how did you get into the wedding industry?

Right out of college, I moved to Dallas and began working for a catering company, Daryl’s By Design, and worked out of the Dallas World Aquarium. After a year of working events and weddings on the catering side, I went to work for Cannon Ball/Ducky-Bob’s Party Rentals. As Executive Director of Bella Acento I have a combined 22 years of experience in the wedding industry.

Photo courtesy of Amy Karp Photography

Where are you based and where do you meet with clients?

We are based in Dallas, Texas. I mainly meet with clients in our showroom in the Design District, as this is where we showcase all of our products.

What makes you different at what you do?

My experience and eye for design. For those who don’t come with a concrete vision, I can help them create a beautiful setting for their event/wedding. I like working with people who are direct and know what they want, but are open to new suggestions and ideas.

Photo courtesy of Brian Leahy Photography

Why do you think your clients hire you or what are some of the best compliments you’ve received from your clients?

A lot of my clients I have worked with for many years, they trust me and know I will go above and beyond to make their event special.

Photo courtesy of F8Studio

Tell us about one of your favorite uses of color in a wedding. We recently did a wedding on the roof top of the Wyly Theatre. The bride chose to use a mix of both our black and white washed cross back chairs, it looked beautiful with her pops of bright fuchsia floral. It was a fabulous combination!

Quite a bit of Bella Acento’s inventory can be seen in their catalogue online. If you need help with the decor design and vision for your wedding, reach out to Leslie directly at Leslie@bellaacento.com or 972-982-2821!

Vendor Spotlight: Miranda Marrs Photography

January 20, 2016
Ask The Expert

All photos courtesy of Miranda Marrs Photography

Choosing a photographer to capture your wedding day and the events leading up to it can be a challenge. The perfect fit includes the right mix of talent, personality, and the artistic style that best expresses who you are as a couple. Allow us to introduce you to a talented photographer who has PLENTY of style and personality. We love working with her – she’s so sassy and fun! Here is what Miranda of Miranda Marrs Photography had to say about wedding photography.

When and how did you get into the wedding industry?

Initially…I wanted to focus solely on newborns and families. During that time, I did some second shooting at weddings for a fellow photographer friend and realized, “Holy crap … I LOVE this.” After I had gained some experience and confidence, I began photographing weddings on my own… Now I get to spend my weekends capturing some amazing memories with some awesome people!

Where are you based and where do you meet with clients?

I’m based waaaay up north in Gainesville. I find myself capturing weddings from the Red River to anywhere surrounding the Metroplex! I always love to meet face-to-face with clients, but never want to force my couples to drive up here…so some of the time we’ll just set up a FaceTime or Skype date and gab about fun wedding stuff in our own living rooms.

Describe your favorite type of client.

Oh man, describe my favorite type of client? So, I always seem to find something I absolutely adore in each of my clients, and I like to think that’s because the type of couple I attract are just awesome type of people! I absolutely, positively, beyond a doubt love people who love to laugh. They speak my native tongue of sarcasm and aren’t afraid to let loose in front of their close friends. I love my fellow high fivers, the ones who like to laugh at the awkward moments in life, the ones that are not quite sure if they can dance, but they do it anyway.

I love couples that open their hearts to one another: when you catch a glimpse of them looking at each other, and you can see their eyes soften and a little grin grow on their faces. There’s just something so poetic about a couple who are both so into each other and okay with everyone knowing that. It doesn’t have to be shouted from the rooftops, or written in a poem… it could be him lightly touching her arm, or her straightening his tie for him. Okay, okay, sorry, I’m getting a little over-romantic about my clients…

Why do you think your clients hire you or what are some of the best compliments you’ve received from your clients?

The common thing that comes up a lot in my wedding reviews is that my brides felt like we were just friends while shooting…and how at ease that made them feel. That always makes me feel like I need to give myself a high five, because dangit, I love them too.

What do you love most about weddings?

…That this day, this one day, is going to be one of the biggest, most important days of this couple’s life… It’s a declaration of love and family and the joy that comes from it spreads from the bride and groom to everyone in the room. You’ll catch a couple of 30 years holding hands during the ceremony or the father of the bride giving his wife a quick kiss on the cheek while they watch the first dance… It’s a chain reaction that affects everyone who’s lucky enough to be there.

Do you have a funny story to share about a previous event?

I have to say one of my favorites was this reception where EVERYONE was just ALL IN…GRANDMA was out on the dance floor putting people to shame. Taylor Swift’s “Shake it off” came on (it was #1 on the charts at the time) and this huge, nearly 7 foot tall linebacker looking guy SPRINTS off the dancefloor, nearly pushing everyone down on his way out. A minute later, he comes running full force back onto the dancefloor with a TAMBOURINE. Yes, this guy had what he called an “emergency tambourine” in his car for situations just like this. The crowd was at a 7 before and when that tambourine showed up that place went up to an 11, I swear. I think we all need an emergency tambourine in our lives!

Tell us about one of your favorite uses of color in a wedding.

I have discovered (through weddings) that I have a serious love for gold. My two favorite color themes I’ve photographed have been pink, white, and gold (with little touches of gray), and also maroon, gold, navy, with little hints of pink here and there as well.

Please reach out to Miranda via email at miranda@mirandamarrs.com, and check out more of her fabulous work on her website!

Venue Love: The Windsor at Hebron Park

January 15, 2016
Our Favorite Venues

For this month’s edition of Venue Love, we have one of Carrollton’s beautiful wedding venues. Allow me to introduce you to The Windsor at Hebron Park. This venue offers the ease of having your ceremony and reception all in one location. The traditional style chapel boasts soaring windows and rich wood accents. The reception space has plenty of room to celebrate your marriage while being surrounded by family and friends – and plenty of gorgeous windows! Here’s what the fab staff has to say about their gorgeous venue…

How long has your venue been open?

The Windsor at Hebron Park has been host to many wonderful weddings over the past 3 years and its recent renovations were officially revealed on January 6th, 2015.

Describe the types of weddings that work best at your venue (elegant, outdoors, intimate, etc.).

Our venue is perfect for couples who are wanting to have their ceremony and reception in one space. We are proud to offer our clients these multiple spaces for their weddings in an elegant setting that is both functional and beautiful. From our bride and groom suites to our spacious lobby and vine-laced patios, you have to come see it for yourself!

What do you think are some of the best characteristics of your venue? What compliments do you receive from brides?

The gorgeous NEW hardwood floor in the reception space is definitely a hit! For our clients that have a mid-day wedding, they love all of the natural light throughout the venue. Our chapel with wood paneling and large lanterns (which are included) is also a selling point. We are always receiving compliments from our brides not only about the space, but our delicious food, which is provided by our in-house caterer, CN Catering (EED: yummy!).

Theme of the month: Tell us about one of your favorite uses of color in a wedding?

We LOVE a neutral color palette with a pop of color. Classic with a twist.

To schedule a tour or for more information, please contact Ashley Walling at 972.306.3300 or info@windsorparkdallas.com. Visit them online at www.windsorparkdallas.com.

Photos by Manny Rodriguez Photography and Texas Tradition Photography

Archives for January 2016

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