Creating a wedding website has become a MUST for engaged couples! Wedding websites are essentially the hub for all things involving your big day. From your love story to your registry, your guests have everything they need to stay in the loop and get excited about attending. But how does one go about building a wedding website? Well, here’s a guide to help you get started!

Choose How You Want to Build

There are three options when it comes to building your wedding website. The easiest option would be using a site with free customizable webpage templates, like Zola and The Knot. They are simple and straight forward but have limited design choices. Option two would be hosting platform with all-in-one services, such as Wix and WordPress. This allows for more freedom in personalization but often comes with a small fee. The most advanced option would be to self-host your site. This means you create your own site with your own coding and pay a hosting company for space and availability to the public. Like I said, this is definitely advanced, but it will give you complete control over your site! Fabulous wedding websites can come from all three options, it just depends on the level of customization you prefer.

Customize the URL

Make your website easily searchable by purchasing a custom URL. They are relatively inexpensive and save your guests from having to remembering a long URL or filtering through all the search results to find it. Plus, it looks classy!

Create a Password

Your wedding website will be providing locations, addresses, times and personal information about you, your fiancé and maybe even your bridal party. If you are not entirely comfortable with sharing all those details with the entire world, create a password for your site! Doing this will only allow your wedding guests to access your wedding website, which is who it’s for anyway!

Simplicity is Key

From the design of the website to the structure, remember simplicity is key. When it comes to the design, this doesn’t mean boring! Choose whatever template, color scheme, fonts and extra features you’d like. Just stick to your theme, and don’t go overboard. Adding too much froufrou can be distracting and make it difficult for your guests to find what they’re looking for. This brings us to the structure of the site. Keep in mind that your guests are both young and old. Your site should be easy to navigate and easy to read (consider the font size). The more simple and straight-forward your site is, the better!

Include the Essentials

Your website can have whatever you think is necessary, but don’t feel like you have to have it all on there at the beginning! It’s okay to start with the essentials and add to it later. So, what are the essentials? Below are the basic page tabs you’ll find on any wedding website:

• Welcome Page: There’s a variety of ways your welcome page can look, but most include a photo of the happy couple and key information, such as date, time and location. Maybe you write a little “we’re happy you’re here!” note or a countdown till the big day! Whatever you want it to look like, remember that it will be the first page people see!
• Our Story: Writing about you and your fiancé’s love story is always a crowd favorite. It helps your guests connect with you, especially in the case of big weddings where you might not know everyone. It also gets people excited to celebrate the two of you! Maybe even include photos of moments mentioned in your story or monumental events you’ve shared together.
• Registry: Having your registry on your website makes the lives of your guests so much easier. Provide them with links to sites where you’re registered, and all they can do all the shopping from their home! If you are having a honeymoon or house fund, this is a good place to include information about that as well.
• Events: This could be a list or calendar of all the events that will take place leading up to the wedding and, of course, the wedding itself. Just remember not to put down any exclusive events, like lunches or the rehearsal dinner.
• FAQ: You can only fit so much on an invitation. Use this page to answer all the potential questions your guests might have, like what to wear, if children are allowed, what the parking/transportation situation is like, etc.

Other pages to consider:

• Travel suggestions info. for out-of-town guests
• “Meet the Wedding Party” with a picture and short bio of each wedding party member
• A place for guests to RSVP (while this sounds much easier than mail, consider how many Facebook events you say you’ll attend and never do… Do with that what you will)

Wedding Hashtag

Everyone loves a good wedding hashtag. It gathers all posts about your wedding in one spot, and is a fun way for your guests to interact. If you are planning on using a hashtag, let your guests know by incorporating it somewhere on your site! This could be in the header, footer, or even on your welcome page.

Keep it Updated

Keep your site updated! As decisions are made and the wedding comes together, make edits and/or additions as necessary. If any changes occur, make sure you update your site and notify your guests. The more updated you keep your site, the more helpful it will be to your guests!

Ready to kickstart the wedding plan? We’ve got your guide for all the wedding planning lingo you need to know here!

One of our favorite fall wedding events is right around the corner! The Big Fake Wedding is hosting its first ever micro wedding style event in Dallas! This is not a typical bridal show by any means. The Big Fake Micro Wedding is a wedding show alternative complete with a meaningful ceremony, signature cocktails and a dance-party reception. The BFW team hand selects the very best vendors from the DFW area, bringing them together for a night of wedding planning bliss. Not only will you receive wedding inspiration you can see and taste, but also a swag bag filled with over $500 in discounts and freebies. Throughout the evening, you will have the opportunity to bond with each vendor and witness them in action before making an investment toward your big day. Need we say more? Take a peek at the inspiration board below to see what this season’s event has in store for you!

*Check out the social distancing guidelines here.*And… as a lucky Brides of North Texas subscriber, you automatically receive FREE TICKETS for you and one guest to this event! Use code “BRIDESOFNORTHTX” at checkout here, and be sure you’re subscribed to our mailing list – sign up here!

Use code “BRIDESOFNORTHTX” for FREE tickets!

Still staying in? We’ve got you covered too! Due to COVID-19, The Big Fake Micro Wedding is now offering digital passes! $10 digital passes are now available here.

One of the more arduous tasks of wedding planning is pinning down the guest list. It’s an amazing feeling to have everyone you love and care about in the same room celebrating you and your hubby. Unfortunately, you more than likely will be limited by space and/or money, and a cutoff must be set. The fear of causing tension or stirring up bad blood might be nagging at you, but your wedding is about you and your fiancé’s happiness. If you’re needing to cut down your guest list, consider some of our tips below!

Photo // Ellen Ashton Photography,  Vella Nest Floral, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Make an A- and B-List

The first step in creating your wedding guest list is writing down who instantly comes to mind. This will be your A-list. These are people you can’t imagine your day without. The next step in constructing a B-list. This list includes people who you’d love to be there, but they may or may not expect or desire an invitation. Put this list in order of priority, and then send invitations out in waves. As people decline their invitation, send another round out to the people at the top of the B-list. Parents typically enjoy inviting some of their close friends as well, especially if they’ve watched you grow up. Discuss this with your parents and in-laws and decide together who makes the A-list and where certain people should go on the B-list.

Ask Yourself, “Would I be offended if I wasn’t invited to their’s?”

When there is a question about whether to invite someone or not, ask yourself if you would be offended if you weren’t invited to their wedding. If the answer is “no,” chances are they probably will feel the same way. If your relationship isn’t at the level of inviting each other to life-altering events, that’s okay! Usually, the feeling is mutual.

3-Year Rule

You and your fiancé are about to start your future together, so invite people you know will be a part of that future! If you haven’t seen or even spoken to someone in three years, it’s obvious they aren’t a part of your present and will most likely play a very small role in your future. However, there are some exceptions, like if they made your A-list or live far away. You’ll know which people to be more lenient with, but it will help you knock a good amount of people off the list.

No Plus-Ones

While offering your guests a plus-one is a nice gesture, it’s more important to be able to invite everyone you desire. You might still allow your bridal party to bring a date out of courtesy, but don’t feel obligated to extend the option to every guest. Choosing who can and can’t bring a date can get complicated as well. It’s safer to just have a set rule for all attending.

Adults-Only Wedding

Another quick way to shorten the guest list is by inviting adults only, no children. You may ask that guests not bring children under a certain age. Whether it’s a matter of space, money or just for the sake of the atmosphere, most guests will understand and respect your request. You can always consider providing a childcare room where kids would stay during the ceremony and, possibly, the reception. Be sure to make it clear if parents should retrieve their children for the reception or if the children are expected to remain in the childcare room through that time as well.

Now that you have your guest list cut down, it’s time to send invitations! Check out some of DFW’s best invitation and save-the-date designers here!

After all the planning, stressing and excitement, your wedding day has suddenly come and gone so quickly! A bride’s wedding gown is the most expensive, gorgeous piece of clothing she’ll ever wear. She also puts a lot of thought and money into creating the perfect bouquet to carry down the aisle and toss to her girls. Parting with these items can be hard, but preserving them lets you keep them to reminisce on forever! If you want to keep your gown, it’s important to take the necessary steps to preserve it. Otherwise, your dress will most likely turn yellow, develop brown spots from oxidation, grow mold and mildew and/or have permanent creasing. You also can’t just put your bouquet in a vase and expect it to last a lifetime. There are several ways to preserve your wedding dress and bouquet that will keep them looking brand new and also help preserve your memories of your special day. Keep reading to find out how!   

Photo // Ben Q. Photography

Preserving Your Dress

Taking or sending your dress to a preservationist is the easiest way to preserve your dress. They will clean it and package it using special methods to ensure safe, long-term storage. Just ask your bridal boutique where they suggest! However, it can also be pretty pricey. If you’d like a cheaper option, preserve it yourself with these steps!

Get it cleaned

Getting your gown cleaned is essential to preserving it. Have your dress professionally cleaned within six weeks, unless it’s silk, which should be done immediately. The less time stains have to set in, the better. If you’re going on your honeymoon right after the wedding, make arrangements with a family member or bridesmaid to take your dress to the cleaners right away. 

Do your research to ensure your dress is in the hands of specialists who know exactly how to manage delicate fabrics and embellishments, like pearls, beads, sequins, etc. Find out whether they use a virgin or recycled solvent. Recycled solvents can cause your dress to acquire an odd smell. Check the label on your dress for any cleaning directions as well. Lastly, take a look at their policies. What’s their warranty like, and do they guarantee a refund of the cost of the dress AND the cleaning should any damage occur? Notify the cleaner of any and all stains. Be aware of clear, invisible stains, like sugar, alcohol, soda and oils, and places you might have sweat as these stains will oxidize, discolor and become noticeable over time if not treated. 

Seal it, box it, or bag it

*Before handling your newly cleaned dress, make sure you’ve washed your hands to get rid of any lotions, oils and anything else that could transfer onto the dress. Wearing cotton gloves is strongly advised!*

Most preservationists either seal, box or bag dresses. Sealing it involves vacuum sealing your dress in a bag. While this might seem like the most protective route, sealing your dress can actually cause the permanent creases, yellowing, molding and mildewing we’re trying to avoid. It also prevents you from being able to check on it regularly. Most people prefer boxing or bagging their gown.

Boxing your dress first involves folding your dress and wrapping it in white acid-free tissue paper to help prevent creasing. If the tissue is any color besides white, it will dye your dress! Consider stuffing the dress with tissue paper to help it maintain its shape. Then, place your dress in an acid-free box made from acid-free board. Acid-free wedding chests are highly recommended! Boxing allows your gown to breathe and to be accessed easily. If you box your dress, it is advised to refold it every two to three years to avoid permanent creasing. 

If you decide to bag your dress, hang it on a padded hanger by the loops inside the dress connected to the strongest seams. Then, bag it in a cotton or acid-free plastic bag, NOT regular plastic. While hanging your dress offers the best air circulation and permanent crease prevention, long-term hanging of your gown is not ideal.

Find a good place to store it

Where you store your dress is just as important as the cleaning and the packaging. Cool, dark and dry environments are best, such as under your bed or in a dry closet. Places with extreme temperatures, lots of light or humidity, like attics, garages, and basements, are a no-go. You might put some silica desiccant packets inside your packaging to help control humidity. 

Preserving Your Bouquet

Preserving your bouquet lets you get in touch with your creative side! We’ve listed a few popular options below, but they don’t stop there! However you choose to preserve your bouquet, make sure you do it while your flowers are still fresh for the best results.

Press them

Do your research on your flowers before you press them because certain flowers press better than others. For example, there are flowers that quickly fade in color, have petals that easily fall off, or have a higher water content, which makes them more likely to mold and brown. Some flowers take longer to dry, and bulkier flowers might need the middle petals removed or turn out best when separated into individual petals or flowers. 

When it comes to the actual act of pressing flowers, there are a number of ways you can do it. Stick them inside the pages of a big book, like a phone book or textbook or between two pieces of bolted plywood. Either way, you’ll need to make sure to sandwich the flowers in between materials that soak up moisture. Cardboard and paper often work well for this. Parchment paper is common, too, but doesn’t always work due to its inability to soak up moisture. When they are ready, arrange them how you’d like, maybe around a picture or two, and frame them! Another option is placing them throughout your wedding photo album! 

If you are looking to press your flowers but would rather have a professional create a beautiful preservation, look no further than Designs by Andrea, The Botany Society and Pressed Posy Haus.

Dry them

Drying your flowers keeps them in their original shape and is easy to do! There are multiple approaches to this as well. The most common is tying the bouquet together tightly and hanging them upside down somewhere temperate, dry and preferably dark to preserve color and perfume. Covering them with silica gel in an airtight container also produces a beautiful dried flower! After they’re dry, frame them how you’d like or put them in a cute silk bag as a keepsake. 

Turn them into a paperweight

Another popular idea is to preserve them in epoxy resin and turn them into a globe or paperweight! This allows your flowers to look exactly the same as they did on your wedding day! It’s possible to do this from home by getting a prism, sphere or cube mold, placing your flower in it, and filling it with resin. Most do the process in layers. Put the resin in first, then the flower, then add more resin until the mold is filled up. To prevent ruining your flowers, try it first using non-sentimental flowers or just take your flowers to a florist or business that does flower preservation. 

If you are looking to preserve your flowers but would rather have a professional create a beautiful display, look no further than Designs by Andrea, The Botany Society and Pressed Posy Haus.

Dip them in wax

Dipping the flowers of your bouquet is another great way to preserve your beautiful blooms. However, keep in mind that wax only extends a flower’s life temporarily, not permanently. The process first includes melting the wax using boiling water and then letting it cool to a warm temperature. Next, gently dip the flowers one by one into the wax, pulling them out right after. Hang them upside down to dry and allow all excess wax to drip off. Then, voila! Your flowers will thrive for another six months or so!

Paint them

While painting your bouquet isn’t preserving the flowers themselves, it still preserves the memory of your flowers in full bloom in an artistic way. Search around for a local artist that does custom paintings or drawings of bouquets. There are several artists on Etsy as well that do a magnificent job! 

If you are interested in preserving your dress, check out some of our bridal gown salons that provide preservation services here!

After five days of counting down, we are THRILLED to unveil ONE shiny new cover! Introducing our brand new Fall/Winter 2020 cover captured by Megan Kay Photography! It’s no surprise that former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, Lacey Munoz, and former The University of Oklahoma and Texas A&M quarterback, Trevor Knight’s backyard wedding caught our attention! Like many couples getting married during the global pandemic, the new Mr. and Mrs. Knight celebrated their marriage with a re-planned and re-sized backyard wedding at the bride’s parents’ home. Lacey wore a sheath Allure Bridals gown with illusion lace sleeves over a plunging sweetheart neckline from Lulu’s Bridal. Trevor was dashing by her side in a steel blue suite and a single white rose bout by The Shabby Rose Florist, matching the all-white bridal bouquet. The bride’s ensemble was completed with a half up-do pinned with a trailing veil and paired with a dramatic golden, smokey eye and peachy-red lip. If this isn’t #bridalbeautygoals, we don’t know what is! And congrats to Megan on scoring her very first Brides of North Texas cover, and a beaut at that!

Be sure to pick up a copy to see Lacey and Trevor’s wedding on page A39 (also featuring rentals from Warehouse Rose Events). And in honor of the cover reveal, we’re offering free shipping on any order of two or more mags! Cheers!

We are just a day away from the Fall/Winter 2020 cover reveal – HOORAY! Along with revealing the new and highly anticipated cover, we also can’t wait to share all of the wedding inspiration that’s included in this mag. Today’s sneak peek includes two of the happy couples that were featured in the upcoming issue. Get inspired by Alexus and Kallan’s elegant mansion wedding and Melanie and Taylor’s garden-esque ballroom soiree below, and stay tuned for the big reveal TOMORROW!

Alexus & Kallan – Elegant Mansion Wedding

The Lockharts | The Olana | Alba Dahlia Floral | Melange Bridal | Styles by Vero | Glitter and Glue Weddings and Events

Melanie & Taylor – Garden-esque Ballroom Soiree

Sami Kathryn Photography | Brite Beauty | Hilton Dallas Park Cities | Lovely Bride | Petals + Pastels | Culwell & Son

Can’t wait to get your hands on the new Fall/Winter issue?! Preorder your copy and have it delivered straight to your doorstep before it hits newsstands this month! AND in honor of our countdown to the cover, we’re offering FREE SHIPPING on orders of two or more mags.

Today’s sneak peek is full of sweet treats! While we continue our countdown to the Fall/Winter 2020 cover reveal and mag release, we’re giving you a look at all the eye candy in this new issue. Check out these three decadent treats made by DFW’s finest wedding cake and dessert bakers. Filled with floral designs, one-bite wonders, and icing techniques, these incredible treats are just a peek into what this issue has to offer!

Butterfly Cakery | The Olana | Gathered Events | Haute Floral | Angelica Marie Photo

Savor Patisserie

LiLi’s Bespoke Sweets | The Big and the Bright for Brandlink Media | The Lumen Room

Can’t wait to get your hands on the new Fall/Winter issue?! Preorder your copy and have it delivered straight to your doorstep before it hits newsstands this month! AND in honor of our countdown to the cover, we’re offering FREE SHIPPING on orders of two or more mags.

Let’s talk about all things beauty! Our countdown to the Fall/Winter 2020 cover continues today as we share four elegant wedding looks that can all be found in the newest issue. These glam looks range from soft and ravishing to bold and bright, all done by a handful of our favorite local vendors. Explore these stylish beauty looks and stay tuned for more sneak peeks of the upcoming issue!

Etoilly Artistry | Courtney Leigh Photography | Unbridaled | The Creative Chateau | Sojourn Weddings | Jade Magnolia | Lindsey Leigh Jewelry | Erin Rhyne

Jennifer Trotter – Lip Service Makeup | Bella Bridesmaids | Valerie Thompson Photography | House of Dirt

The Styling Stewardess | The Olana | Allen Tsai Photography | Elizabeth Leese Bridal | Keestone Events

Grand Slam Glam | Stephanie Brazzle Photography | LeAnn’s Bridal | Firefly Gardens | Lindsey Zamora Events

Can’t wait to get your hands on the new Fall/Winter issue?! Preorder your copy and have it delivered straight to your doorstep before it hits newsstands this month! AND in honor of our countdown to the cover, we’re offering FREE SHIPPING on orders of two or more mags.

It’s our favorite time of the year… time to kick off our countdown to the cover! In just five days we will be releasing our Fall/Winter 2020 magazine along with the long-awaited new cover. To make the wait a little easier, we will be giving you a sneak peek into the new issue over the next five days. Fall in love with these five floral arrangements created by some of our favorite local florists, and of course, found in the upcoming issue. Cheers!

Alba Dahlia Floral | Alexa Kay Events | The Styling Stewardess | 4 Eleven Fort Worth | Elizabeth Leese Bridal

TR Floral | Brik Special Events Venue | Chelsea Kaye Photography

Tami Winn Events | Stephanie Brazzle Photography | Beyond | Grand Events Texas | Stage Works

Something Pretty Floral | Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon | The Olana | Ivory and Vine Event Co. | Maitee Miles

Lizzie Bee’s Flower Shoppe | a&bé bridal shop | Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden | Keestone Events | AR Photography

Can’t wait to get your hands on the new Fall/Winter issue?! Preorder your copy and have it delivered straight to your doorstep before it hits newsstands this month! AND in honor of our countdown to the cover, we’re offering FREE SHIPPING on orders of two or more mags.

Not having access to your regular gym or studio right now can be SO challenging. Your wedding fitness routine is all out of wack. Your regular gym is closed or you are being put on class waitlists for the few open studios. Not to mention the “bored in house complex” causing you to make trip after trip to the kitchen for snacks. This is what my team and I have been hearing from the new brides and grooms we’ve been signing up lately, and it inspired me! Why not put together a few tips that have helped me and our Bells & Barbells Wedding Fitness clients stay on track during this pandemic. These tips will help you get motivated and stay motivated! 

(guest post by Katherine Bahlburg of Bells & Barbells Wedding Fitness) 

Stay on Track in The Kitchen

Plan your meals out. Every week, or every few days, take a moment to sit down and map your food out — breakfast, lunch, dinner, and of course, snacks. The act of writing it down and or typing it out will make it easier to follow through on and mentally set you up for success. Another great tip is to only keep healthy options in the house, if it isn’t there, you won’t be tempted. Having a few things in the house that are healthier substitutes for your less healthy sweet and salty cravings will help you find balance and keep you from falling off the wagon. Here are some examples: Opt for dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate. Try opting for fruit as opposed to fake fruity candy. Gluten-free crackers and pasta made out of chickpeas, lentils, and or veggies is an excellent alternative for garb rich dishes and snacks. Here are a few brands our brides and grooms love, Banza and Cybele’s superfood pasta. 

Enlist an Accountability Buddy

Having an accountability buddy can be so helpful! Here at B&B, each bride and groom is paired with their very own accountability buddy/personal trainer, who is always just a short call or text away seven days a week. We know how hard it can be to stay on track even without everything going on today, and having someone there to keep you accountable is a game changer! So whether it is a personal trainer, a friend, or your partner, find that buddy and start getting after it! 

Find a Community

Surrounding yourself with individuals who have the same goals will significantly affect your ability to stay focused on your own goals – similar to having an accountability buddy but in higher numbers. One thing our clients always mention is that training at the studio around other men and women going through the same thing as them is comforting and extremely motivating. Some ways to do this on your own would be too create a group chat with friends and family so you can have a place to celebrate your achievements and find support amongst one another or create a motivating Facebook group.

Keep things interesting!

A fun playlist can help keep you energized and motivated while working out. Changing up your workout style is another GREAT way to steer off boredom and loss of interest. When it comes to effective programming to see the best results, repetition needs to happen so that you can test yourself and your capabilities and ensure that you are making progress. You should always keep your primary lifts/movements the same (squats, bench, deadlifts etc), but you can always rotate through different variations such as using dumbbells vs. barbells. Change up your accessory exercises now and then as well. This will not only keep you from getting bored, but it will also work to your benefit by challenging your central nervous system and helping you avoid training plateaus. Brides often mention that they have stopped seeing results with their current workout routine by the time when they reach out to us and are feeling frustrated and ready for a change. The halt in results is because they have been taking the same class over and over and have just been repeating the same workouts and movements and don’t have an effective system in place for testing and monitoring the weights they are using. Your body needs change, just like with anything else, it will adapt, so you must keep challenging it.

Consider a Personal Trainer

In case you’re curious about my studio Bells and Barbells, and because we get asked a lot of questions that I am sure a few of you already have been wanting to ask, YES, we are open. And because we offer our personal training services in a private studio setting, we never have more than 4-5 people on our studio floor at any given time. Luckily, crowds have never been a thing for us, and keeping our studio germ free and clean has, fortunately, been easy for us to manage. We also get many questions about scheduling. The answer is “YES!” if you are a B&B client, will you be able to reserve your preferred training time and can always count on it being there every week. 

Whether you want to find a studio to help you with your wedding fitness journey or your good rocking it out at home, my goal is to help you with your success! I hope these tips have helped!  Remember, the wedding is just your first goal, and the effort that you put into your health and fitness now will affect your habits and overall health long after you say “I do!” So, let’s get after it, ladies! 

If you have any more questions for Katherine and would like to book a complimentary phone consultation with Bells and Barbells, visit their website for more info!