journal

Unless you have experience in event planning, you may not know the difference between seating charts, place cards, and escort cards. Southern Bash is here to help!

A Seating Chart is just that – a chart with names and table numbers. This can be on a mirror, large sign, list of the back of a program, or even a QR code. Seating charts are usually listed by table number, but if you have a large guest count, I suggest alphabetical order so it is quicker for your guests to find their names and tables.

Bailey and Connor’s wedding day was a colorful, beautiful, modern extravaganza at the Hotel Swexan – giving Texas as well as European vibes!

The Hotel Swexan was the perfect backdrop for this glamorous Downtown Dallas wedding. Millie May’s bright flowers accented the day while guests could observe the Dallas skyline as they waited for the ceremony to start, enjoying music by strings from Intensity Band.

First things first: congratulations! If you got engaged over the holidays, you’re likely still floating somewhere between champagne toasts, family hugs, and showing everyone the ring (as you should). Before you dive headfirst into wedding planning, here’s what actually needs to happen next — and what can wait.

1. Enjoy the Time

This season goes by fast. Before spreadsheets, Pinterest boards, and guest counts take over your brain, soak this in. Tell the story. Celebrate with friends. Take photos. Let it feel special.

Curious about veils? Southern Bash has got you covered!!

Type of Veils and When to Wear Them

Short veils are perfect for brides who want a traditional look without overwhelming their dress. These veils usually fall around the shoulders, making them lightweight and easy to manage. If your dress has statement sleeves, unique straps, or detailed bodice work, a short veil will let those features stand out while still giving you a classic bridal style.

Whether they are part of your wedding party or only attending, communication with your guests is important throughout your wedding planning process. Here are some of the best ways to ensure everyone is informed and on the same page.

Your save-the-dates will be the first wedding announcement and will include the initial details about your wedding weekend, sent out to everyone you plan to invite. They are typically mailed 8 to 12 months or 4 to 8 months before the wedding, depending on how far or close your wedding location is to the majority of your guests. You can also do this digitally to save money.

As a wedding planner, I have the opportunity to work at many venues across North Texas, but the Grand Ivory is always one I look forward to. The ceremony space is one of the most beautiful parts of the property because it creates the feeling of being both outdoors and indoors at the same time. The structure allows light and air to move through the space while still providing a defined setting for the ceremony. As couples exchange vows, the sun often sets directly behind them, which creates an incredible backdrop for both the moment itself and for photos.

Brooklyn and Dylan’s wedding day at Chandelier Farms was the kind of spring wedding that feels straight out of a movie — colorful blooms, golden sunlight, nonstop laughter, and two people completely and undeniably in love. Every detail reflected joy, but the heart of the day was always Brooklyn and Dylan themselves. Sweet, genuine, and so clearly meant for each other, they made everyone around them feel the love from the very beginning of the day to the very last dance.

Some wedding days are beautiful because everything goes exactly according to plan. Others are beautiful because of the way everyone comes together when things don’t.

Audrey and Ethan’s wedding day at The Nest at Ruth Farms was definitely the second kind.

As high school sweethearts and long distance partners, these two have already weathered years of life’s seasons together. So when rain clouds settled over North Texas on their wedding day, it seemed fitting that their celebration would become a beautiful reminder that the best things often come after the storm.

You know the feeling when you meet someone for the first time and you just know you’ll be fast friends? Well, that’s how I felt when I first met Nichole and Alex. Jovial, loving, and extremely generous, this couple stole my heart from the moment I met them.

By the time Southern Bash was brought on, Nichole had already gotten a lot of the main things knocked out, so we hit the ground running! Over the 9 or so months Nichole and I had with each other, we dreamed, we learned there were more shades of emerald green than we thought, scratched ideas, filled in with new ideas, and generally had a really fun time making this wedding day all she wanted.