It’s no surprise that our team has all the heart eyes for these three Insta-worthy desserts pulled straight from the pages of the Fall/Winter 2019 issue – they’re each so artfully made! With only 3 days until the cover reveal and the new issue’s release, these sneak peeks are giving us life. Stay tuned because we’ve got more pretties coming at you as our countdown to the cover continues!

Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery | Engaged Events | Stephanie Brazzle Photography | Nasher Sculpture Center

Savor Pâtisserie | Cactus and Coast Photography | The Greenhouse 817 | House of Dirt

Tart Bakery | Valerie Thompson Photography | House of Dirt

Can’t wait to get your hands on the 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.

Day two of our countdown to the cover is a go! And with that we’re sharing a sneak peek of four of the must-see wedding details featured in the upcoming Fall/Winter 2019 issue’s pages. From pretty paperie to the hottest catering trends, our North Texas wedding vendors wow us each issue with the incredible wedding elements they create. Take a peek at a handful of our faves and stay tuned for even more insider looks into the new mag next week! Happy Friday!

Vestals Catering | Silver Lining Events | Lush Couture Floral | Illustrated Weddings by Lola Lorena | AM Linen Rental | Belle Decor | Ben Q Photography | Dallas Arboretum

Illustrated Weddings by Lola Lorena | Jen Rios Weddings | Kate McLeod Studio | a&bé Bridal Shop | The Cliff House

The True Gem | A Stylish Soiree | Lorena Burns Photography and Films

Love Letters Handmade | Dyan Elizabeth Photography | Luxe Petals | House of Dirt

Can’t wait to get your hands on the 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 the time again… a new issue debut is just around the corner, and with that, we’re kicking off our countdown to the cover. First up, we’re sharing five fresh floral arrangements you’ll find in the shiny new mag. Our favorite florists have once again thrilled us with their incredible arrangements. Take a peek below and stay tune for even more sneak peeks from the Fall/Winter 2019 issue in the days ahead. Cheers!

Poppies and Peonies Design | Nate & Grace Photography | Bella Bridesmaids | House of Dirt

Alba Dahlia Floral | Jacque Manaugh Photography | Lawson Event Rentals | House of Dirt

Blushington Blooms | Meggie Taylor Photography | House of Dirt

Dirt Flowers | Lorena Burns Photography and Films | Warehouse Rose Events | House of Dirt

A Stylish Soiree | Sami Kathryn Photography | LeAnn’s Bridal | The Wildflower Wedding & Special Event Venue

Can’t wait to get your hands on the 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.

Happy Fourth of July! It’s only natural that we celebrate the holiday with our favorite wedding fireworks vendor, PrestoTechnics! This all-star firework show company is a favorite in DFW weddings because they don’t just shoot off fireworks at your event – they individually plan a show for each of their couples and integrate it smoothly into the reception. Co-founder, Preston Ward, is answering all our questions on their entertainment service and sharing what every bride needs to know before booking a fireworks show. Read on if you want to celebrate with a BANG!

Photo // Haley Rynn Ringo

When are the best moments to include fireworks at a wedding?

Usually I recommend waiting until the sun goes down. But that feels too obvious. We do a lot of displays at the end as a grand send off, but I always feel bad when the guest count has dwindled so low and nobody gets to see the show.

I always recommend around the toast time. Outdoor toasts and speeches work great!

What kind of space do you need to shoot off fireworks at a wedding?

Spacing depends on how big of a firework you want. The state requires 70 feet of distance between the audience and the firing site, per inch of the shell. We also look at things like trees, power lines, etc.

What is included in a package with Prestotechnics?

We offer three different package tiers: classic, premium and custom. They all include the product, show design, set up, clean up and at least two licensed technicians on site. The difference between the classic and premium is height of the effects and size of the firework. The premium and custom shows also include music of your choice during the display, for which we bring our own sound system.

With the custom show package we put the bride and/or groom in the driver’s seat, allowing them full customization of the display which is choreographed to music of their choice.

What tips do you have for a couple wanting to light up their wedding with fireworks?

Almost every time we do a display it is a surprise to someone. Unfortunately, more often than not it also ends up being a surprise to the photographer. My biggest tip is to make sure the photographer knows so they can prepare for those once in a lifetime photographs.

I would also recommend not checking the weather until the day of the event.  I have seen too many times where a bride stresses herself out because rain is in the forecast a week out, only to have the forecast change ten times prior to the wedding, and it turns out to be a beautiful evening.

My last tip is to be sure to book a display with enough time for us to secure the permits. We strive to never say no to a bride and make every display happen, but the amount of time it takes to receive a permit is out of our hands. Almost every city and county has a different procedure. Some can take 30 days while others may only take a few days.

What makes Prestotechnics so unique?

I think what really sets us apart is the reason we started doing wedding fireworks in the first place. I am a practicing licensed attorney who has a love for fireworks and providing that “wow” moment at weddings.  When I was getting married I wanted a display at my wedding, but being fresh out of law school and paying for the wedding myself, it definitely did not fit in the budget. It is the one thing I would go back and change if I could, so I want to make sure each bride or groom can have that moment.

The safety of the audience, facility, grounds, and operators is our top priority, so we do not cut corners. It takes a little longer to set up and clean up, but we feel it is important to shoot a show safely and leave a venue as clean as we found it. Also, many pyrotechnic companies usually do not assist their employees in obtaining licenses to avoid extra competition, but we do. We do not hire “seasonal” staff to set up for us; the staff that work for us are individually trained, and we help them become fully licensed. In addition to our site crew, either me or one of my business partners are present at every display that we put on.

What services do you offer beyond fireworks?

We offer a wide variety of special effects, such as sparkler fountains for exits, cold spark fountains for indoor use and exits, uplighting, lasers, cryo jets, flame effects, confetti cannons and sparklers.

How does weather impact a firework display?

Two questions almost always come up during booking – what impact does a burn ban have and what happens if it rains?

A burn ban does not prohibit the use of fireworks in a professional display. All our displays are permitted through the local authority having jurisdiction over the location, which is typically the city or county fire marshal. I’ve never had a local authority turn me down, even during the more stringent firework bans, due to the abundant safety precautions we take.

Rain isn’t as much of an impact as one would think. We’ve yet to have to cancel a wedding display due to rain. We just ask for flexibility in timing when shooting the display when rain is on the radar. We waterproof the product if there is a chance of rain, and we just need a small window so the audience doesn’t get wet. We understand a wedding show is a once in a lifetime event and cannot be rescheduled, so we put in extraordinary effort to keep the show going.

Thanks to Preston for sharing all his tips and insight on PrestoTechnics‘ fireworks displays. Reach out to Preston and the PrestoTechnics team directly on their vendor profile to get in touch about creating your own fab fireworks show. Cheers!

One wedding detail no wedding celebration is complete without? Dessert! And while the traditional wedding cake will always be our first love, we’ll never say no to any additional sweets, be it cookies, macarons or CHEESECAKES! If you haven’t experienced the delectable desserts from Val’s Cheesecakes already, you absolutely must try this DFW staple! Known for their grab-n-go desserts at The Shack and The Shop, Val’s also services all your wedding event needs from tiered cheesecakes and favor jars to custom letter or number designs. Get to know Val Jean-Bart, owner and head baker at Val’s Cheesecakes, and his incredible story behind how the bakery came to be below!

How did Val’s Cheesecakes come to be?

In June of 2008, my mom came from Haiti to visit me for a couple of weeks. During her stay, I noticed her breathing was not quite right as she took more time to climb a small number of stairs. Upon taking her to the hospital, my mom was diagnosed with stage 4 terminal breast cancer and given six months to live.

Being with her at every doctor appointment, I made sure that my mother was only made aware that she had a chronic cancer disease for which she had to get continuous treatment. I made sure that she never heard the word “TERMINAL.”  I believe and know that by my mother not hearing the word “terminal” and with the help of modern medicine right here in Dallas, as well as, the care I provided to her, she lived past four years which totally went against the initial prognosis given to us in June of 2008.

Each Sunday, during those four years, was a ritual for us to bake and try desserts. She would finish her desserts sometimes before touching the main course I would fix for her. She would stay at the house, and we’d spend the whole week discussing what kind of cake we would be trying on Sunday. This went on for four years through countless cheesecakes until her passing in August of 2012.

After her passing, I wrote a letter to the owner of Oddfellows (Matt Spillers) in Bishop Arts, and after tasting the many cheesecakes I brought for him, he decided to carry the cheesecakes at two of his establishments. From that point, I decided to start a business by selling our cheesecakes to other restaurant establishments. After two years of moonlighting as a baker after my civil engineering day job in the kitchen of St Paul United Methodist church, I decided to open a storefront located at 3906 Maple Avenue which is now our first location called THE SHACK.

From the colors seen at THE SHACK and now at THE SHOP, the recipes and overall vibe, this story and journey are daily tributes to my mom, Marie Jose Labossiere, who was a phenomenal, strong and smart business woman. I hope to be at least half of what this woman meant to me in terms of perseverance, guts and sweet disposition.

Tell us about the name.

I wanted to name it Marie’s Cheesecakes but Matt Spillers and my mom both convinced me not to. They each mentioned Marie Callender’s Megs and the name being very popular already.

What services do you offer for weddings?

Our number one catering item is the cheesecake cupcakes as well as cheesecake shooters. We do provide cheesecake jars (twist jar or clamp jar) as well with customized labels depicting initials and wedding date. We are the only bakery offering tiered cheesecakes and large letter or number cheesecakes. We also offer sheets of cheesecake, cheesecake dessert bars and cheesecake brownies.

What can a bride expect when placing a cheesecake order with Val’s?

Expect a wonderful, fun tasting experience and special attention brought to each detail desired to make the day special.

How customizable can a bride get with her order?

There is no limit. We make every cheesecake dream come true!

Does Val’s deliver to the wedding site?

Yes, we do deliver!

Thanks to Val for sharing the tear-jerking story of how Val’s Cheesecakes came to be PLUS the great insight into all the bakery has to offer! Interested in serving cheesecake at your wedding or pre-wedding event? Get in touch directly via Val’s vendor profile here.

Ready to get in shape for the wedding AND the honeymoon? Bells & Barbells owner and lead trainer, Kat, is here to share an easy workout you can do from home or the gym. Watch below and scroll down for her quick explanation on each move to get working on your summer bod.

The Goal: These 6 exercises will help you burn calories while focusing on the areas that matter most.  When it comes to rocking your dream wedding dress and your honeymoon bikini, you can’t afford to get it wrong. So, let’s get after it! #fitbridetribe

Warm-Up: Elevate your heart rate and get your body warm with these two dynamic moves.

Two Rrounds of:

1. 10-20 (each leg) Skaters: While keeping your posture in check (shoulders back, chest up and core tight), lightly jump from side to side, alternating which foot you land on. When you land, focus on balancing. Keep your quads and glutes engaged and land on a flat foot, but be sure to spring up on your toes as you jump.
2. 10-20 (each leg) Squat Walks:  
   1. Lower down to a squat position. The goal is to have your booty in line with your knees. It will take strength and consistency to maintain this position. Don’t get frustrated if you feel your legs tiring out easily. Just keep practicing.
   2. While alternating from side to side and staying in your low squat position, walk forward and backward. Be sure to slightly bounce as you shift side to side, this will help you get more out of the movement just be sure to stay low as you move.

Workout: We are going to keep the glutes fired up, activate and strengthen the core all while toning the shoulders, arms and back. 

1. Elevated Rotating Planks:
   1. Keeping body aligned from head to heels, reach left arm up, elevating yourself up on the bench and or box. Bring your right hand up to meet the left.
   2. Return left hand to start position and repeat on the opposite side. Continue, alternating sides, for up to 2 minutes, or for as long as you can without sacrificing form. Rest for 30 seconds, then repeat once more.
2. Rear Delt Face Pulls + Low Lunge Hold: 8-10 (each leg)
   1. Set cable machine to a moderate weight. (One that you can do 16-20 reps of while maintaining correct form. )
   2. Attaching rope attachment to the cable machine and above you. Lower down into a lunge position, keeping your front knee stacked on top of your ankle. Create a solid 90 degree angle with your front and back leg.
   3. Holding either side of the rope in your hands and fixing eyes on the silver part of the rope (the center part attached to the cable machine) elevate your arms to a straight position. Keep your shoulders down.
   4. Slowly start to pull the rope toward you and all the way back until you can feel your shoulder blades squeeze together, hold for 2 seconds then, with control, slowly bring your arms and hands back to the starting position.

3. Standing Tricep Push-Down: 8-10 (each leg)
   1. Using the same rope attachment. Set your feet under your hips and knees in a soft position, not locked. Drop your shoulders, pull rope down so that your arms are resting in an “L”  shape position (your starting position).
   2. Push the rope down and slightly away from you. This is the key to really activating your triceps, down and slightly forward. Make sure your shoulders stay back, keep chest up and core tight.
   3. Bring arms back to starting position then repeat. Make sure not to rush through this movement. Control your movement and focus on your triceps doing the work.

4. Standing Bicep Curl: 10-15
   1. Using the same rope attachment and stance as above. Move cable so that your are pulling from below instead of overhead.
   2. Grab the rope in each hand, set shoulders then slowly pull up AND apart. Stopping at the top for ⅔ seconds. Do not bring your hands all the way up to your shoulders – this will close off your bicep and your elbows will move. The goal is to keep it all in the bicep. Repeat for 10-15 reps at a working weight.

Bells & Barbells is our go-to for wedding day fitness. Not only do Kat and her team provide customizable fitness routines, but an on staff dietician is on hand to create one-0f-a-kind nutrition plans and all B&B brides have access to the #BBClub?, saving 40-50% off other partnering services. Take a peek on the Bells & Barbells site to get started!

Hooray! Another New York Bridal Fashion Week is in the books! And it’s no surprise we’re obsessing over so many new trends to walk the Spring 2020 runway. While there was quite the laundry list of new fashions to take note of, below we’re sharing three of our faves from this past week. Then head to the @bridesofnorthtx IGTV to watch our Fashion Week recap video – you won’t want to miss it!

Swiss Dot

This dainty, spotted print made its way up and down the runway this season, and we can’t get enough. From studded and jeweled polkadot looks, to our favorite and more commonly seen Swiss dot fabric, these feminine gowns made quite a statement. Be sure to look for this fabulous Blush by Hayley Paige style from the Spring 2020 collection at a&bé Bridal Shop, De Ma Fille and Stardust Celebrations.

Stripes

Striped gowns were back this season, and in a BIG WAY! We spotted every look from bold lines, like in this Wtoo gown, to more subtle textures layered beneath traditional floral designs. This playful patters is a great option for any preppy, nautical-inspired, or whimsical wedding! Shop this look and other Spring 2020 Wtoo bridal gowns locally at a&bé Bridal Shop, Bridal Boutique, Leann’s Bridal, Stardust Celebrations and Wed Bridal Boutique PLUS their bridesmaid line at Bella Bridesmaids, Beside the Bride and Stardust Celebrations.

Shorts Suits

While pantsuits are nothing new to the New York runways, bridal short suits are! While we saw many short styles ranging from rompers to cropped top ensembles, we most often saw shorts paired with a blazer-cut jacket. This suit set from Ines di Santo is one of the more playful looks we saw this spring, with another major fashion week trend – 3D embellishments – on full display. Shop the all-new Ines di Santo collection locally at The Bridal Salon at Neiman Marcus and Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon.

Looking for other trends straight from the runway? Keep a look out for the newest designs to hit our favorite local stores in the months to come at Bridal Boutique, The Bridal Salon at Neiman Marcus, Stardust Celebrations, Lovely Bride, a&bé bridal, De Ma Fille, LeAnn’s Bridal, LuLu’s Bridal, Molly’s Bridal, Patsy’s, A Bridal Boutique, A Bridal Closet, Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon, WED Bridal Boutique, Grace Loves Lace, Bella Bridesmaids and Beside the Bride.

Straight from the pages of Brides of North Texas’ Spring/Summer 2019 issue, we’re taking you behind the scenes on all the gorgeous beauty looks that graced the editorials of our 10th anniversary mag. Meet DFW’s top beauty experts, and read their tip for each bridal look below. Cheers!

#WHIMSICALVIBE

“With a fresh and glowing face, a subtle pop of lilac was added to the lid and lower lash line. With no top liner and wispy lashes, it let the color really show up and pull the entire look and feel together. Going with more of a whimsical and romantic vibe, I didn’t want to do anything too heavy on the eyes, face or lips. So I chose the perfect soft matte peachy-pink for her lip color. With a soft, yet prominent highlight on the face, it really lets her natural glow shine through and pulls the entire look together.” – Lauren, byLomuns

See more from this look here. // Photos: Andrea Elizabeth Photography

#PLUMPALETTE

“I often mix multiple colors to get the look I want. Layering bright pops of color on top of a dark cream eyeshadow, a scatter of glitter over the eyelid – makeup should be fun! For this photo shoot, the focus was a plum palette. I immediately knew I wanted a bold lip but wanted to create an overall look that was unexpected.” – Taylor, Rouge and Rosé

See more from this look here. // Photos: Jacque Manaugh Photography

#MODERNROMANCE

“The look I was going for is romantic, elegant, with a twist of modern. For her eyes, I used a medium warm brown shadow with a hint of copper tones to enhance her gorgeous blue eyes and I paired it with full-long false lashes and a smudge of liner top and bottom. I finished with a white liner on the waterline to brighten her eyes and a soft shimmer shadow. Her brows were lightly filled in to achieve a more natural look. I accentuated her cheekbones by contouring and using a warm gold highlighting powder. The floral colors in the shoot inspired her lip color — a custom blend that worked well with her skin tone and surrounding colors. My team lead stylist created an upstyle that was romantic and modern. Parted down the middle with soft pieces to frame her face and a low twisted pulled out bun. It was soft and textured to complement the entire bridal look.” – Wendy, WZ Beauty Studio

See more from this look here. // Photos: Dyan Elizabeth Photography

#FALLBEAUTY

“My inspiration for this look was the season. I love when fall/winter sets in — that’s when you can play up your colors. I love using bold lipsticks such as burgundy, deep oranges and reds. They definitely make a statement. Being able to tie in the colors of the wedding day into your look is a fun way to bring everything together.” – Ashley, Ashley Drew Artistry

See more from this look here. // Photos: Deven Ashley Photography

#TOUCHOFMETALLIC

“For this look, I wanted to keep her look very fresh and clean. I wanted her to have the desirable glow that we all love, but mainly dial in on enhancing her natural beauty. I really focused on her skin with the makeup. We went with a metallic palette here — working with bronze, rose gold and champagne tones. I really feel like these accentuated her best features and would really convey the organic feel that we were hoping for. And lastly, LASHES! We really layered her lashes to give her voluminous and fluffy lashes to bring out her eyes. I love the softness of this look, paired with a really clean updo. It’s so chic and modern, yet also timeless.” – Brittany, Brittany Jones Beauty

See more from this look here. // Photos: AR Photography

#HAIRGOALS

“I wanted to give a new spin on a half up/half down with combining it with a low ponytail. For her makeup, we wanted to make her eyes pop! To make blue eyes pop, oranges and purples really achieve this.” – Kayleigh, The Styling Stewardess

See more from this look here. // Photos: Nate and Grace Photography

#HOLLYWOODGLAM

“A gold eye, dewy skin, nude lips and glamorous Hollywood waves was our look of choice for the natural beauty! We loved how the hair and makeup paired seamlessly with the illusion neckline and the ear tuck added a touch of elegance. This perfect nude lip was created with Taste Lip Paint in Exposed, MAC liner Boldly Bare, and Bite gloss in Honey.” – Kailey, Etoilly Artistry

See more from this look here. // Photos: Pharris Photography & Philms

#FLIRTFACTOR

“A chin length bob is curled away from the face, then brushed into place and pinned back on one side to create a gorgeous short hair ‘do with an Old Hollywood vibe. The shorter length gives this style plenty of volume, plus it works well with the high neckline of the gown. Bonus? It provides a bit of extra flirt factor! The look also features naturally glam makeup with warm, glowy skin, toasty coffee shades on eyes, a double layer of wispy lashes and flushed pink lips and cheeks to pull it all together.” – Jennifer, Lip Service Makeup

See more from this look here. // Photos: Alba Rose Photography

#COPPERROMANCE

“I wanted to emphasize the bride’s natural features using semi-dewy finish products on her skin. The key to achieving this look? Prep the skin properly! I used rose water, serum and deep moisturizer. I made her eyes pop using copper and gold colors and the right eyelashes to accentuate the romantic look in her eyes.” – Veronica, Styles by Vero

See more from this look here. // Photos: Laning Photography

#SLEEKUPDO

“Not all brides can rock the straight back look, but this bride could! I teased the top for the perfect height with a sleek updo. For the updo, I created volume first and put vintage pin curls around the volume to give it the perfect vintage glam! With a stunning hair pin and veil it was the perfect updo for such a beautiful shoot!”- Laci, Tease to Please Hair and Makeup

See more from this look here. // Photos: Jen Symes Photography

#NATURALBEAUTY

“We created a swoon-worthy, undone updo with face-framing tendrils to showcase the dainty lace embellishments of this gown. The bride’s makeup consisted of rose-flushed cheeks, a touch of highlighter, and a soft lip stain which come together to create a perfect no-makeup, makeup look.” – Jordan + Reilly, Grand Slam Glam

See more from this look here. // Photos: Stephanie Brazzle Photography

#COLORFOCUS

“I utilized all matte colors to keep the attention on the color scheme. I used a cream color lid with soft browns on her crease to transition into a warm rust color. Smokey brown liner created a more romantic affect. I finished with cream waterline under eyes to open up her eyes.” – Andrea, Tousled Studio

See more from this look here. // Photos: Madeline Shea Photography

Follow our BEAUTY Insta Highlight for MUAH tips from the pros.

Hello friends! If you haven’t already made your way through the pages of our 10th anniversary issue yet, you must take a peek at our anniversary section – the pink pages before the real weddings, starting on page 291 – where we’re honoring our incredible partners who have inspired 10+ issue of Brides of North Texas! Flip through to meet the 28 long-time creative partners who have shared their time and talent with the mag over the past decade. Then, pop over to our Instagram highlights (@bridesofnorthtx) to read up on the invaluable wedding tips these pros have to share! They are answering all your wedding questions on fashion, catering, decor, planning and so much more. We’ll continue sharing their advice on via Insta Stories over the weeks to come!

And while you’re there, be sure to check out the mag’s timeline (pg 292) and the story of how Kami and Ashley started it all (pg 302)! Cheers!

With so many ways to server dinner (or snacks) at your reception, it’s no wonder it’s a struggle to decide just how to do it! Thanks to our very favorite local wedding caterers, we’re sharing four options with pointers for each to help make your decision easier. Read on to see if you’re more of a heavy hors d’oeuvres, stations, plated dinner or family style feast kinda gal.

Snack at Stations

Use eating as a form of entertainment at your reception with creative stations strategically placed around the event space. These interactive stops even allow guests to customize their dishes!

Soulman’s Catering

Grilled Cheese Station – Hickory smoked brisket with melted cheese and drizzled Soulman’s BBQ sauce. Mason jar shooters filled with tomato basil soup.

Family Style Feast

Perfect for a cozy southern soiree, family style catering dishes up platters full of farm fresh food to each table so your guests can enjoy a delicious and relaxing meal without ever leaving their seats. Guests will love chatting as if they are sitting down to a family meal at home.

Gil’s Elegant Catering 

Broiled Sea Bass – Broiled Sea Bass over a roasted yellow pepper puree topped with roasted tomatoes buttered basil pasta and garlic roasted asparagus

Vestals Catering

Spice Pork Tenderloin – Carrot purée with spice pork tenderloin and fresh carrot salad

Wendy Krispin Caterer

Smoked Gouda Gnocchi – Creamy green chili smoked gouda gnocchi