There are many details to think about when planning a wedding, and one of those details is the honeymoon. Where should you go? What’s the budget? How long will you take off from work? When should you leave? The last question is what Hidden Creek is here to address today. Although you might want to leave for your honeymoon the day after your wedding (like it seems like they always do in movies), we discourage you from doing that. We recommend waiting for a day or two after your wedding before you leave for your honeymoon. Here’s why…
Exhausted After the Wedding
We can guarantee you that you will be exhausted after your wedding. Even if it ends at 8 or 9 pm, you will be pulled in every direction throughout that day. From the very morning, you are getting your hair and makeup down, taking pictures, and chatting with the bridesmaids, and throughout the wedding, you will be interacting with all of your guests. A wedding is a beautiful celebration, but it will also be an exhausting day.
Take the next day off to recover, enjoy your husband, and take in everything that happened the day before. By taking a day to relax, you will get to enjoy your honeymoon even more. If you were to leave for the honeymoon the day after the wedding, you would waste that day recovering, sleeping in your hotel room.
Marriage License
If your officiant isn’t mailing your marriage license and you need to turn it in yourself, the last thing you want to do is take that marriage license out of the country. If you don’t turn that license in, then you are not legally married. So, if you lose that license, you are not married. Therefore, do NOT take that marriage license with you on the honeymoon. Instead, use this extra day in between to turn it in or to give it to a family member that can take care of it for you while you are away.
Brunch with Guests
If you have guests that traveled from out of state, it would be nice to do brunch with them on the day after your wedding. Or, instead of brunch, you could have them over at your house or your family’s house for another mini celebration. This gives you an opportunity to spend some more time with your guests before they travel back home.
Start the Next Chapter in Life at Hidden Creek
Hidden Creek is a top choice for couples looking for a Dallas wedding venue with a view. Our vintage wedding barn comes complete with an open floor plan, lush gardens, breathtaking vistas, and a natural wooded landscape. Our event coordinating team will ensure that your special day is magical, and an event your guests will remember forever. We want to help you pull off the wedding of your dreams, which is why we offer wedding planning services, a honed vendor’s list, gourmet catering, and designer favorite wedding decorations. Our dedication to perfecting weddings is exactly why so many engaged couples entrust us to host their special day. Give us a call to schedule your tour!
There are probably millions of questions running through your head when trying to plan your wedding. There are many moving parts, and that includes the rehearsal dinner. Some of the questions that might come up include: “When do you do the rehearsal?” “When is the dinner?” “Where are the dinner and the rehearsal at?” “What’s going on?” Hidden Creek is here to give you some clarification and help you choose a great location for your wedding rehearsal dinner in Rockwall, Texas.
The Wedding Rehearsal
The rehearsal is usually done a day or two before the wedding. Hidden Creek will confirm the date and time at the final walk-through appointment, one month before the wedding. The reason that we wait until then is that we have people booking dates and times up until that point, so we want to make sure we give you the correct availability.
The rehearsal lasts about one hour. You come with your family, your wedding party, the officiant, and anyone that is going to be active in the processional and at the ceremony. It’s okay if there are people that can’t make it. This rehearsal is for the people that can make it.
You will practice the ceremony a couple of times, so everyone knows where they are sitting, standing, and going, and all of those fun details. Then, to celebrate, you go out for dinner afterward.
The Wedding Rehearsal Dinner
Many people think the wedding rehearsal dinner takes place at the venue, but it doesn’t. If you are having your ceremony and reception at Hidden Creek, you want to save that dinner experience for the special day.
Location Recommendations
Instead, we have compiled a list of excellent locations for your wedding rehearsal dinner.
The Yacht Club
This location is only 5 minutes from Hidden Creek and is a stunning place. It is newly remodeled and overlooks the water.
The Rockwall Golf and Athletic Club
This is a country club that overlooks the gulf course and the lake.
Luigi’s Italian Cafe
If you are looking for something more casual, there is a Luigi’s in Rockwall that has a private dining room in the back.
TLC on the Lake
This restaurant has an outdoor patio that you can reserve that also overlooks the lake. There is also an indoor space to rent out too.
Giovanni
This Italian restaurant is delicious and is located on the harbor. There is a boardwalk and it’s perfect if you have guests that are staying at Hilton or the other hotels at the harbor.
The Oar House and Culpepper Steak Houses
These two restaurants are also located on the harbor and are high-end steak houses. So, if you and your party are meat lovers, these restaurants are a perfect choice.
DFW Harbor Lights Boat Ride
You can rent out this boat and it fits up to 90 people. It’s BYOB and it takes a sail in the water around sunset. It is also located at the harbor.
Your Beautiful Wedding at Hidden Creek
Hopefully, some of these locations caught your eye, and if you need more recommendations, don’t hesitate to give Hidden Creek a call. We are glad you chose us as your wedding venue and we are here to help you plan out the most perfect celebrations.
Your wedding day is a very important event in life and you want to celebrate it with all of your loved ones. However, sometimes, not everyone you love is around anymore. That doesn’t mean they can’t be there in spirit. If someone special in your life has passed away, and you want to honor a loved one on your wedding day, Hidden Creek has come up with some creative ways to do it. But remember, there is no correct way of doing it, so listen to your heart and follow your instinct. Your loved one will be happy to be thought of, no matter how small or big the gesture is. Do whatever makes you happy.
Picture at the Ceremony
Put a picture of your loved one in the front row of the ceremony. Place them on the first spot on the first pew and you can place some flowers around the picture or right next to it. Then, the person walking you down the aisle will sit right next to the picture. The flowers don’t have to be in the color scheme of your wedding– you can choose flowers in their favorite colors.
Memorial Table
A memorial table works best when you are honoring multiple people that have passed away. You can place a bunch of pictures of them scattered throughout the table. You can also add some of their belongings or anything they gave you, such as a book, a necklace, a letter, etc.
Candle
You can use a candle to honor a loved one as well. All you have to do is light it, and you can place a picture next to the candle too, or just a name. The candle can go right at the entrance of the venue, near the head table, or on a memorial table.
Toast
Another great way to honor a loved one is by mentioning them in a formal toast. So, when your maid of honor, the best man, or a parent gives the toast, they can mention your loved one. They can either tell a story or mention how much they would have loved to be there and are looking down at you with happiness.
Incorporate a Family Heirloom
If you have a locket, a wedding ring, a handkerchief, or any other special item that belonged to your loved one, you can incorporate it into your wedding dress or accessories.
Charm on Bouquet
You can also add a charm to the bouquet with your loved one’s name on it. Then, they can be right there with you, walking down the aisle.
Hidden Creek Is Here For You
For more wedding planning ideas or for a beautiful rustic venue, get in touch with Hidden Creek today. Schedule a tour with us, so you can envision your dream wedding. We are located in Heath, Texas, tucked away within luscious greens. We also have an amazing event manager, Brett Welch, who will help you bring your ideas to life and give you advice for fulfilling your ideal celebration.
You may be wondering if a hair and makeup trial is worth it. After all, they are artists and know what they are doing. However, there are many factors that can arise and things that need to be considered before your wedding day. That’s why Hidden Creek definitely recommends having at least one hair and makeup trial if not more.
Every bride has a specific vision of how they will look and feel at their wedding. You need to know what you will look like before the big day because not looking like how you pictured yourself can be a big disappointment. Having these trials will guarantee that you feel the most confident and beautiful on your wedding day. Here are some tips as well as reasons to do these trials.
Get the Most Out of Your Money
Hair and makeup trials are usually $120 to $250 depending on the company. That might seem like a lot of money, but you can put those trials to good use. If you have an engagement party, bridal photos, or a bridal shower, you can use those as reasons to have hair and makeup trials and experiment with the looks. That way, you are getting started early and you can book the hair and makeup team that creates your ideal look.
What to Ask the Company
There are many questions a bride has when planning out her wedding, and that includes when choosing the right makeup and hair company. Be sure to ask “is the artist that is doing my trial the same artist that will be doing my makeup on my wedding day?” It is important to know that it will be the same artist, or else it defeats the purpose of the hair and makeup trial.
This is also the case if you connect with the artist. They are going to be right in your face for a couple of hours on your wedding day, so you want to ensure that you connect with that person. You don’t want them to be a drainer or a negative person or someone who adds more stress to that morning. Bigger companies may have multiple artists, which is why it’s important to verify that you will be getting the same one.
Discuss Your Options and Purchase Accessories
There are so many different looks out there, some more subtle than others. Everyone has different tastes and desires. Additionally, every person has a different head shape, face structure, skin tone, hair texture, and the list goes on. Therefore, one look does not fit everyone. When you do a trial, you can test different looks, the artist can get an understanding of what they are working with, and you can decide if you will need any hair extensions or specific hair products, or specific makeup products in case of allergies.
Start Your Happily Ever After at Hidden Creek
If you are still looking for a venue and a beautiful place to have the wedding ceremony, Hidden Creek is a great destination. We are booking fast, so make sure to schedule a tour with us as soon as you get a chance!
During the wedding planning process, have you thought about the grand exit? Or a fake grand exit? Maybe you have thought about the exit after the wedding ceremony when you and your partner walk down the aisle. Whether it’s rice or bubbles that your guests throw, the moment is always documented. But what about the grand exit from the reception? This one is harder to organize since it happens at the end of the night. However, Hidden Creek has a secret for you to capture this beautiful moment. Plan a fake grand exit at your wedding reception.
What Is the Grand Exit?
The grand exit is when you exit the venue while the guests line up, wave at you– or use the grand exit items, and escort you to your car. The exit items include bubbles, sparklers, glow sticks, or rice. Your guests cheer you and your partner on, wishing you the best as you begin your new chapter in life.
The Perks of Doing a Fake Grand Exit
Although every wedding has a grand entrance, many weddings don’t have a grand exit. Why is that? It’s not that the lovebirds don’t want one, it just involves more planning and creativity to get it done. That’s why Hidden Creek suggests doing a fake grand exit. For example, if the reception is over at 11 p.m., do the fake grand exit at 9 p.m. Why would you want to do a fake one? Keep reading to find out!
Guests Are Still There
Most guests don’t stay until the very end of the reception. If you want to ensure that you have pictures with all of the special people that celebrated with you, then we recommend having the grand exit earlier in the night. That way, all of your guests can enjoy that moment with you. Not to mention, your pictures will look a lot fuller, and your elderly guests won’t feel the need to stay until the very end. They can go home after the fake grand exit and rest with peace of mind.
Ensures That Your Photographer and Videographer Can Capture the Moment
Your photographer’s and/or videographer’s shift might end before the end of the reception. Therefore, if you wait until the end to do the grand exit, you won’t have the professionals to document it. You want to ensure they can get pictures and videos, so your photo album and wedding video are wrapped up nicely with the grand exit.
You All Will Still Be a Little Sober
If you have an open bar at your wedding, who knows who will take advantage of it. By doing the fake grand exit at 9 p.m., you can rest assured that you and your guests will be soberer than at 11 p.m. Get all of the cute grand exit pictures done as early as possible, so you can let loose for the rest of the night!
Celebrate Your Love at Hidden Creek
If you are in the process of looking for a wedding venue, schedule an appointment at Hidden Creek. We would love to host your wedding and help you plan out the day as smoothly as possible!
A lot of your guests are looking forward to the bar at your wedding. It’s the hangout zone– it gives your guests some courage to get on the dance floor! With that said, you might have a lot of questions concerning the operation of the bar. Hidden Creek has some wedding bar tips and tricks for maximizing its efficiency and making it a pleasurable addition to your wedding.
When Should the Bar Open?
The first of our wedding bar tips is that we recommend opening the bar immediately after the ceremony. That’s how you get people inside or how you get them to arrive at the reception on time. This gives your guest some direction on where to go next. There’s a reason it is called “cocktail hour.” If you have your wedding at our venue, we include security that operates for five hours, while the bar is open. If you want to keep the bar open for longer, you definitely can! All you need to do is add more time to your bar service and we will add those additional security officers.
How Long Should the Bar Be Open?
Five hours of open bar is a sweet spot! That’s plenty of time for your guests to loosen up and get on the dance floor. We all know how people can get when there’s too much alcohol in their system–you don’t want them to push their limits.
If your reception is six hours long, you might be wondering about that extra hour. No drinks for a whole hour? Although your guests might miss the free drinks, it’s a good idea to give them the last hour of the reception to sober up, drink some coffee, and be ready to roll out safely.
If you want to increase the amount of time the bar is open, you definitely can. We just recommend at least having the bar closed for the last 30 minutes before your grand exit. This will save you a lot of problems, guaranteed!
How to Stay Within Budget
If you are dealing with a tighter budget, you can limit the drinks your bar serves. For example, having a beer, wine, and signature cocktail bar will save you lots of money compared to a full bar. You won’t need to buy all the different mixers and hard liquor. Instead, pick out your two favorite wines, your three favorite beers, and then your favorite signature cocktail and your partner’s favorite cocktail. Then, you can have cute signs that say “His” and “Hers” signature cocktails, and you will only need to provide the liquor and mixers for those two drinks.
Late-Night Snack
One of our last wedding bar tips is to consider providing a late-night snack if you are providing alcohol at your wedding, especially if the bar is going to run for longer than 5 hours. People are going to need a little bit of something in their stomach if dinner was 5 or 6 hours ago, and they’ve been drinking that whole time.
Create Lifetime Memories at Hidden Creek
We hope these wedding bar tips were useful and we can’t wait to help you plan out one of the best days of your life. Schedule a tour at our venue today, and give our wedding tips and tricks a shot!
Wedding planning is a very stressful time. There are many decisions that need to be made and services that need to be scheduled. It’s no surprise that some factors might slip your mind, such as breaking in your wedding shoes. Brett Welch, Hidden Creek’s event manager, will relate her biggest challenge during her wedding planning, as well as how to overcome the obstacles you may face during this journey.
Finding Available Vendors…That She Loved
Brett’s biggest challenge was finding vendors that she loved that were also available on her wedding day. Let’s give her a little back story. She got engaged in January and started looking for a venue in February. She booked her venue for October of that same year. Therefore, they only had eight months to plan the entire wedding. This is a short time frame. These months went by very quickly and Brett felt a little stressed during these busy times.
October is a very popular month for weddings in Texas. That made finding vendors even harder. Additionally, Brett took her time looking for vendors. She believed she had a lot of time to research these vendors, so she didn’t book them right away. Instead, she searched for them online and went to open houses, and by the time she found vendors she loved, they were all booked. However, her biggest challenge now allows her to help people avoid the same mistakes she made.
Tips to Help Avoid These Wedding Planning Obstacles
The fall season is very popular for weddings in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. It is a time that isn’t too hot, and when the weather isn’t much of a threat. If your wedding is planned for those months, make sure you pick your vendors way ahead of time. Even if your wedding is planned for a different time of the year, make sure you book your vendors as early as possible.
It’s really hard to move on to a different vendor when you have already fallen in love with one. For Brett, the vendor she was most upset about not getting her first pick was the hair and makeup vendor. She had gone to three different vendors until she found one that could create her vision. However, when she told them her date, they were not available for it.
Ask for Availability First
So, the first thing you should do before you sample or do a trial with a vendor is to ask them for the dates of availability. If they aren’t free on your wedding day, don’t waste your time or fall in love with their services.
Prioritize Vendors
Some vendors might say you don’t need to book them until 3 to 4 months before the wedding. However, it is okay to book them even earlier, especially if it’s a vendor you really love. Make a list of the vendors that are a priority to you, and book them right away.
The Magic Begins with Hidden Creek
The main priority during the wedding planning process is booking your venue. Be sure to check out Hidden Creek. We are a beautiful venue nestled between luscious greens. We offer the comfort and privacy that you deserve on your special night.
Some people have been dreaming about their wedding since they were little kids. Their dreams are so vivid and detailed that they even know what they want their guests to wear. You need to let your guests know if you want them to dress for a glamorous ball, in long flowy dresses, or dress casually for a country-themed wedding. This information should be included in the invitation. It avoids any confusion and allows your vivid dreams to become reality. Your guests will be thankful too, for they won’t be left wondering what to wear or second-guessing their choices.
Different Types of Wedding Attire
Although formal/black-tie optional is the most common type of wedding dress code, there are dozens to choose from. Hidden Creek has explained some of the popular ones, to help you envision your wedding and your guests. The venue oftentimes sets the tone for the dress code, so keep that in mind when deciding the theme.
Black Tie
This is one of the most formal types of wedding dress codes. Men wear tuxedos and bow ties. A black vest or cummerbund, and patent leather shoes are also recommended. Women wear gowns that are long and cover their ankles. They can also wear elegant pantsuits.
Formal/Black-Tie Optional
This is a little less formal than the first dress code. Men don’t need to wear tuxes; they can get away with a dark suit, a white shirt, and tie. Women wear elegant dresses, but they don’t need to wear dresses that go over their ankles. They can wear dresses that are just below their knees or nice pantsuits.
Semi-Formal/Cocktail
Semi-formal and cocktail dress codes are fairly similar, which is why we have grouped them together. During these wedding dress codes, women can wear dresses up to their knees. Men don’t need to wear a tie, but they still need to dress appropriately. This can include khakis, slacks, and a button-up shirt. The semi-formal dress code gives your guest the flexibility to dress comfortably, but not too casual.
Casual
A casual wedding dress code usually means that the wedding will be held outdoors or on the beach. This means your wedding will be much more laid-back, especially when it comes to what your guests wear. People will most likely be showing up in jeans if you put casual on your invitation. If you don’t want your guests showing up in jeans, then do not list it as casual. When it’s casual dress, ties aren’t required but they are still welcomed. Summer sundresses and wedges are appropriate for the ladies.
Live Out Your Dream Wedding at Hidden Creek
So now that you have a better idea of what the different dress codes are, you can help your guests decide what to wear. Make sure to include the wedding dress code on the invitation, to avoid any confusion. This way, you can have the wedding that you envision. If you are in the process of looking for the perfect venue, schedule a tour with Hidden Creek. Our elegant venue is tucked away within the woods, offering privacy and the ability to celebrate all night long.
So, the love of your life finally popped the big question. You’ve got a dazzling diamond engagement ring on your finger and after soaking in the moment, you’re ready to get started with wedding planning. From choosing the perfect Dallas wedding venue to picking out or DIYing memorable favors– you have a lot of exciting decisions ahead of you.
As much as you’re probably looking forward to wedding planning, we know better than most how overwhelming it can be to get started. That’s why today, we’re sharing our exclusive wedding planning guide complete with timelines and tips straight from Hidden Creek’s skilled wedding coordinator, Brett Welch.
9+ Months Before Your Wedding
Create a Guest List
The very first step of wedding planning is creating a guest list. Without an accurate guest count, it’s hard to know which venue size will be right for you, request services from wedding vendors, or even keep track of your wedding budget.
Wedding Budget Breakdown
The second thing you need to figure out is the budget. Sit down and have a conversation with your fiancé, their parents, your parents, and anyone else helping you pay for the wedding.
If you’re financing the wedding yourselves, talk to your future spouse about how much you can afford, what you’re willing to splurge on, how much you can finance, and if you’re open to paying for wedding essentials on your credit cards.
Once you’ve had an honest discussion about all of these things, it will be much easier to start shopping for venues, vendors, favors, wedding dresses, and more without overspending.
Start Touring Dallas Wedding Venues
Now, it’s time to start scheduling wedding venue tours. If you don’t book your venue at least a year in advance, there will be slim pickings, and you might struggle to find a place to host your wedding at all.
In the past, you could book and plan a wedding in six months, but that timeline has greatly increased in recent years.
Everyone is booking in advance right now, especially because of the pandemic. Many weddings were postponed due to COVID-19 and most were rescheduled for 2022.
So book a Dallas wedding venue like Hidden Creek, put down a deposit, and reserve your date no less than nine to twelve months in advance.
This is essential since you can’t book any vendors until you have reserved a venue and claimed a date. If you don’t do this, your vendor will have no way of knowing if they’re already booked for your big day or if they can travel to you.
Create a Wedding Planning Email Account
This step often gets overlooked, but it makes your wedding planning so much easier. When you have all of your wedding-related emails going to the same place, it’s much easier to keep track of everything.
It’s also worth noting that if you give your personal email to potential vendors, they will continue sending you promotional emails for years to come.
Buy Your Wedding Dress
Hidden Creek recommends buying your wedding dress at least nine months before the ceremony because it generally takes four to five months to come in. Once the dress arrives, you’ll probably have to wait another few months for your seamstress to complete alterations. While most people don’t buy their dress right off the rack, we highly recommend it for brides on a budget or those who are in a bit of a rush.
For example, if you want bridal photos done before the wedding, you will need to book a photoshoot one to two months before the wedding. Otherwise, you might not get the pictures back in time to get prints and display them at the venue on your special day.
Start Booking In-Demand Wedding Vendors
Priority vendors are different for everyone. If having exceptional wedding pictures and videos is a priority for you, then book your photographer now. This increases the likelihood that you’ll get on your favorite wedding photographer’s books. Hidden Creek recommends you book your top three vendors now.
Whatever your top three priorities are, book vendors who meet those needs ASAP.
Engagement Party and Selecting Wedding Party
You will have your engagement party around this time and select your wedding party. Ask all of your girlfriends, the guys, the flower girl, and whoever else you want to be part of your wedding party to stand by your side at the wedding. Send them bridesmaid proposal boxes or a sweet card asking them to celebrate with you and help make your wedding even more special.
Envision the Overall Wedding Theme and Colors
The last thing you want to figure out during this timeframe is the overall theme of your wedding and the colors you want to use. Now is also a good time to decide if you want to go casual or formal and how your vision will complement your wedding season.
4 to 8 Months Before Your Wedding
Finalize Bookings With Your Non-Priority Vendors
Book vendors for catering, photography, floral decorations, videography, and anything else you want to have at your wedding. Don’t wait past the four-month mark. That’s when you will have trouble finding people with availability.
Dress Alterations
Complete wedding dress alterations and push your bridesmaids to select a dress if they haven’t already. Talk to your wedding party about the color, style, and sizes of their dresses, or let them know if you have already picked out a standard dress for all of them.
Find Wedding Tuxes
The guys also need to figure out what they’ll be wearing on your special day. Have them try on their tuxedos to find one they like. If they want to rent a tux, they can do so now. But rest assured, four months is more than enough time for the groom and groomsmen to find their perfect fit.
Wedding Hair and Makeup Test
Schedule a trial run with your hairstylist and makeup artist before the wedding to ensure that you love the look. Even if you completely trust your makeup and hair team, a practice run helps everything go off without a hitch on the day of the wedding.
Although wedding insurance is not required, we do highly recommend it, especially during these uncertain times.
Set Up Hotel Room Blocks
If you have numerous guests coming from out of town, you should look into setting up hotel room blocks for them. They will be super thankful that you gave them options for places to stay, especially if they are unfamiliar with the area.
Order Wedding Rentals, Finalize Catering Menu, Finalize Floral Selections
Order all of your wedding rentals, and don’t forget the plates, silverware, and napkins! You’ll also want to finalize your catering menu and floral selections. Chat with your wedding vendors and nail down those final details.
Plan Your Honeymoon
This is the last thing to do during the four to eight-month period of the wedding planning timeline. Honeymoon planning gives you a welcome break from all the wedding planning. Talk to your fiancee about where you want to go, accommodations, how many days you’ll be away, and research any activities you’d like to do. Go ahead and book the trip too.
Bonus wedding planning tip: if you will be using a credit card to book all of your vendors, pay for the dress, and more– make sure that you are using one that gives you miles or points. You can then use these miles or points towards your honeymoon.
1 to 3 Months Before Your Wedding
Finalize Wedding Accessories
Make sure that you have finalized all of your accessories including your earrings, shoes, the veil, headpiece, necklace, etc. Have all of that ordered or already in your possession.
Schedule Beauty Appointments
Schedule all of your beauty appointments. This includes getting your nails done, hair dyed, a spray tan, and whatever else you want to book to feel your best.
Hidden Creek highly recommends premarital counseling. You can even tailor it to your specific religion.
It is also time to get your wedding bands. This is separate from your engagement ring. You and your fiancé will both need wedding bands.
Wedding favors are optional, but if you want them, order now. Favors are a gift that your guests take home as a memory from your wedding.
Send Out Wedding Invitations
Your wedding invitations need to be sent out three months before your wedding. You need all of those invitations back within a month of your big day. That’s because you need to give your caterer a final headcount and the people decorating the venue. So, make sure you include in your invitation that you need it back a month before your wedding to plan accordingly.
Bridal Photos and Vows
If you will be taking your bridal photos before the wedding, take them a couple of months in advance. That way, you have enough time to develop the photos and print them out.
If you and your fiancée choose to write your vows instead of reciting traditional ones– start brainstorming now. This will give you enough time to reflect on what you want to say.
Bachelor and Bachelorette Party
Have your parties at least a month before the wedding. This is so you have enough time to recover from any accidents that can take place, such as someone getting stuck in jail, breaking an arm, etc. We know many cases where things have turned out unexpectedly, so you want to have enough time to plan around them.
Finalize Your Wedding Playlist
Talk to your DJ, orchestra, or band and finalize the playlist. This includes songs for your first dance, your father-daughter dance, and the reception.
Plan The Rehearsal Dinner
You will need to do a final walkthrough with the venue one month before the wedding and select a time for the rehearsal dinner. This will essentially be a scrimmage to ensure the floor plan, and every detail of the ceremony is perfect. The rehearsal dinner is usually held a day or two before the wedding.
Give Vendors The “Day Of” Timeline
Make sure every vendor knows what time everything is going to start. Hidden Creek will create this timeline and send it to your vendors to ensure that no one is late.
Final Weeks Before Your Wedding
Now that your wedding date is getting closer and closer, your hands may be a little sweaty. But don’t worry. Hidden Creek has you covered. Here is a list of final wedding planning details that you need to handle before your big day.
Get your marriage license (two or three weeks before the wedding)
Finalize seating chart (where people will sit, with who, etc.)
Confirm all vendors and finalize payments (don’t forget to tip!)
Practice walking in your wedding shoes (break them in before the big day)
Give the photographer a list of pictures you must have (with your siblings, the cake, etc.)
Get your dressed steamed (in case of wrinkles from the bridal shoot)
Get your beauty appointments in
Confirm your toast (let your loved ones know weeks in advance)
Have your rehearsal dinner (a day or two before the wedding)
Day of the Wedding
Our goal is that you have nothing to worry about on your wedding day. We want to help you be as prepared as possible, so you can relax and enjoy your big day. Make sure you delegate any issues that arise on your wedding day to someone in your wedding party. It is okay to ask for help and let somebody else take care of it.
Here are a couple of tips to make you enjoy your special day to the max and to show your appreciation:
Drink a ton of water
Make sure you eat (at least lunch before the ceremony)
Give out parent gifts (optional)
Give out bridal party gifts (optional)
Have fun!!
If something doesn’t go as planned, no one will notice. So, there is no need to worry. Just shrug it off and have fun!
Post Wedding
After your wedding day, make sure that you turn your marriage license in. It is not a legal marriage until the courthouse has it on file. You only have 30 days to turn in your wedding license. And don’t forget to return the tuxes after the wedding to avoid any fines!
We recommend having a family member take the wedding cake and freeze it when you leave for your honeymoon. They should freeze it that same night because it goes bad very quickly.
Finally, write your thank you cards to your vendors and anyone that gave you gifts. Additionally, make sure to leave a great review for your vendors if you enjoyed their services.
Hidden Creek’s Wedding Planning Guide Is Here For You
Now that you know everything about planning a wedding, it’s time to get started! Schedule your tour with Hidden Creek today, and check out our enchanting indoor and outdoor venue. We are here to answer any questions or concerns about the wedding planning process and ensure that everything goes smoothly. Get started with our easy-to-follow wedding plan guide to make your dream wedding come true!
‘Tis wedding season! And with that comes a whole slew of minute details that need to be checked off for that oh so wonderful wedding celebration, where two people come together to recognize and celebrate their eternal love for one another — and their vision for a life-long commitment. That being said, to make your dream comes true, it’s crucial that you and your partner ensure you set yourself up for success by obtaining all the legal documents, certificates, and licenses necessary to get married.
Take a look at Hidden Creek’s guide below in order to learn more about the acquisition of these materials. Once done, you’re only one step away from starting a new future with your loved one: saying “I do” at the best Dallas wedding venue there is (hint: it’s Hidden Creek)!
So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
The Rundown on Obtaining the Right Legal Documents
First things first, there are certain legal documents and forms of identification you’ll need to have at the ready before even applying for a marriage license. The items required for review by a clerk at the Dallas County clerk’s office are valid forms of identification, and those valid forms are listed below for your convenience:
A driver’s license
A certified copy of a birth certificate
A passport or military identification card
A Social Security card
Divorce decree if previously married and are now divorced
Death decree if previously married and are now widowed
The clerk’s fee
These items are required to be present in the clerk’s office by both partners. Other requirements that aren’t legal documents perse, but are required by Texas include:
An age of 18 to marry on your own. If you’re between 16 and 18, you must have parental consent or a court order granting permission to marry. If you’re younger than 16, you must have a court order granting permission to marry.
A 72-hour waiting period from the time of getting a marriage license to the marriage ceremony, unless waived for members of the armed forces or by a judge, or if the couple has completed a premarital education course.
Verification that either partner is not currently married to someone else.
Confirmation that both partners plan to live together in Texas after getting married, representing their union to others in the community.
Although not required, a premarital education course of at least eight hours is highly encouraged by the state. It should be completed in the year preceding the application for a marriage license.
Fun fact: you don’t have to be a resident of the state to get married there!
Tying the Knot—Officially
Some people think a marriage certificate and a marriage license are the same thing. In fact, they are not! A marriage certificate is a document that shows you and your partner are legally married, while a marriage license is a document issued by the county clerk that allows you and your partner to get married in the first place.
The certificate is a vital document and contains the full names of the parties involved in the marriage, as well as when and where the marriage took place, serving as a record of proof. A marriage certificate in Texas is the most common marriage record and is required for legal name changes, loan applications, taxes, and immigration purposes. And married couples in Texas can issue a request for their marriage certificate to be mailed to them via the county clerk’s office.
So basically, a marriage license is what you need in order to get married initially and a marriage certificate is what you show as proof of your marriage after the ceremony. That being said, let’s figure out how to obtain a marriage license in order to get this party started (and hopefully a life full of happiness with your significant other).
Got Certification? No Problem, We’ll Show You How to Put Your Stamp on Things
Marriage is an exciting thing — albeit a little nerve-wracking, too. But this guide is here to answer a lot of questions you might have about gathering the legal documents necessary to support a life-long bond between you and your partner.
In order to get married, a marriage license is required to authorize a marital union between two parties. It’s a requirement in Texas for a couple looking to make things official. As mentioned earlier, the two people getting married in Texas must fulfill all requirements and legal forms of identification, showing them to the county clerk. After meeting those requirements, the county clerk then issues a marriage license to the couple, granting an authorized officiant the permission to perform the marriage ceremony.
Depending on the county, licenses can be ordered in person, by mail or even online. If the couple prefers online ordering, they must also submit a completed Application for Marriage License form. The local county clerk’s office will have information on the required fee for a marriage license, as well as any other specific requirements. So, take one step closer to securing a life full of happiness and devotion to your partner today. And make it official at Hidden Creek, where your happily ever after can begin without a hitch.
