Unconventional Wedding Ideas

nontraditional wedding

From destination weddings to riding into a venue on horses or elephants, this is your moment. Why conform to the status quo? A wedding is simply a celebration of love to share alongside your loved ones, it doesn’t mean suit and tie is mandatory. While not every unconventional option is going to be accessible for you or your guests, there’s still things you can do to make this day memorable with some creativity. New non-traditional trends and quirks are gaining a lot of popularity and we’re here to share some of the best ones with you! 

Alternative Colors for Wedding Dresses

colorful wedding dress

The bride does not have to be in white dress. While black wedding dresses have been a big trend as well, you can dress as colorful or neutral as you want! Your dress should make you feel beautiful. Whether that means sticking with a more traditional color and style or stepping outside of the norms, all you have to do is make sure it does it’s main job, which is to make you smile.

Doggy Ring Bearer

cute dog

While kids make really cute ring bearers, dogs make even better ones. Have your furry friend deliver your rings at the altar and wait for the on cue “awe” as they waddle by everyone. This isn’t limited to just dogs, whatever your pet of choice may be, just train them to be the greatest delivery man!

Embrace Your Culture

cultural wedding

Cultural weddings aren’t technically considered ‘non-traditional’ to their specific culture. Though, not everyone is connected enough to their roots to pursue a wedding outside the standard norm. No matter your background, incorporating traditions outside a white dress and a suit and tie can be a beautiful thing and serve as a mix of your American and native culture.

Surprise Wedding

surprise

Surprise weddings are a growing trend that have recently gained popularity within unconventional traditions. Basically, this is inviting your friends and family over to an event but upon arrival, they realize they’re actually attending your wedding! If you’re sporadic and love a good surprise, this is for you.

Unconventional Venue

Like we said, not everyone can afford to take both sides of the family to an expensive island wedding, but a venue can take place anywhere. You can attend a music festival, dressed in white and some sneakers! Have a tent wedding in a spacious piece of land near nature and fill with possible decorative surprises inside. You can even host your wedding at your favorite cafe or restaurant. Anything is possible, don’t let traditional standards hold you back from considering certain places. 

While we’d love to host you in our beautiful Sanger Mansion, currently our work in progress is only open to the public for styled shoots. The mansion is free to use, just sign up to confirm availability!

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Your Go To Guide for a Spring Wedding

spring wedding

Spring time is officially among us! Spring is considered the best time to have an outdoor wedding. It is synonymous with “new beginnings” as the blooming flowers and beautiful colors are renewed around this season. The scenery, adequate attire, and color palettes that are used during Spring can create the perfect setting for your wedding. Your new beginning towards the rest of your life can start with a gorgeous Spring wedding. 

We’ve compiled some of our best tips towards planning your event:

Spring Holidays To Remember

As you set the date for your spring wedding, there’s a couple of holidays to keep in mind during this season:

  • Mother’s Day: Always a Sunday in May
  • Memorial Day: Always a Monday in May
  • Father’s Day: Always a Sunday in June
  • Palm Sunday: Typically in March or April
  • Easter: Typically in March or April

Do your best to plan your wedding around these holidays. Many of your guests may be avid celebrators of these events and it may conflict with your wedding attendance if planned on the same date.

Spring Weather

The spring season is known to have unpredictable weather. Sunny days may be followed by periods of rain and extreme weather changes. You should be prepared and consider incorporating a tent into your wedding venue in case of rain or any unforeseen circumstances.

Spring Wedding Color Palette

Spring marks the transition from winter to summer colors. Color schemes around this time of year usually revolve around light, airy, and pastel colors. Your color palette can range outside the ones we’ve provided but feel free to use any of these neutral, pink, or yellow based color schemes we have selected for your inspiration!

Cake Decor

The definition of Spring is encased in light colors and flowers. One of the best ways to see spring colors brought to life is through your cake. Whether you choose vibrant colors or a more neutral palette, your cake should represent you and your personal spring theme.

Everything Floral

Spring weddings usually involve everything floral. Flowers around this time of year are exceptionally fragrant and vibrant, so keep this in mind as it can be concerning to some guests. However, a strong fragrance can also help embody the true essence of a spring themed wedding. Always choose what is best for you and your guests. Make sure to research which flowers are in season and available around your wedding date. Consult with your floral designer to get the perfect floral vision for your wedding.

Bella Mansions

Though our beautiful Sanger Mansion is currently under construction, it makes the perfect location for a Spring themed style shoot. From artistically styled to romantic and floral themed shoots, our property is free to use! All we ask is to let us post some of your pictures to our website and social media. Use the link below to book a date and time!

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Tips for Choosing Your Dream Wedding Venue

tips for choosing a wedding venue bella mansions

If you’re newly engaged and you have  just started the wedding planning process, you’ll soon find that one of the biggest and hardest decisions you’ll have to make is where you’re going to host the big day. 

Finding the perfect venue isn’t easy. The venue you choose can set the entire tone for your wedding. With so many options and things to consider, choosing the right wedding venue can quickly become stressful. 

Many factors go into deciding on a venue, and we are happy to help you narrow them down. We want to help make your wedding venue dreams a reality, so we’ve created a list of the five most important factors to consider when looking at different venues.

BUDGET
tips for choosing a wedding venue bella mansions

First things first, the budget.

Before stepping foot in any  venues, you should have an idea of your overall budget and how much your vision and design would cost to execute. Divide your budget by categorizing wedding aspects and rank them by priority. Consider how many people you have to hire, decor, price per plate, etc. We recommend prioritizing vendors and staff first, prioritizing venues is going to lead to you spending more than you allocated for because you will still have other funds to consider afterward. \

GUEST LIST
tips for choosing a wedding venue bella mansions

Having a ballpark number for the amount of people you are expecting will help determine the type and size of venue you should be looking for. As you are visiting venues, envision the layout of your reception and how or if your guests would fit comfortably within that venue. Having a good idea of your guest list will also aid in organizing your budget because many costs are dependent on the amount of people attending. 

VISION
tips for choosing a wedding venue bella mansions

It is important to stay authentic to your individual style and stick to your wedding vision. Many brides can be easily influenced by the influx of wedding styles they see online, but it is important to remember that while a venue may look amazing with a certain theme, it may not be a good fit for your specific style or theme.

LOCATION
bella mansions wedding venue

Whether you’re looking at having a  hometown or destination wedding, location and accessibility are important factors to consider when choosing a wedding venue. If you have out of town guests coming in, or your wedding is held in an unfamiliar area, you want to make sure that accommodations and accessibility to the destination are facilitated. These factors alongside with the location itself will be deciding factors into your budget as well.

AVAILABILITY
choosing a wedding venue bella mansions

“Save the Date” are three words that every bride wants to share. Ultimately, you need to determine what you find more important, your dream venue or getting married at a particular time of year. Regardless of what you prioritize, we recommend you pick out a few dates before venue hunting. Have dates in mind that you find work with what you want and dates you know you would like to avoid because of conflicting events or holidays. Usually, finding a date depends on venue availability.

BELLA MANSIONS

Even when finally securing a venue, you have to worry about the little details like where you will get ready, if that is in a different location, how will you get there? The moving pieces that fall on your shoulders when the big day comes are things not all venues include. 

Bella Mansions on the other hand, offers you an all-inclusive luxury wedding experience that includes everything from bridal suites to a photographer. Our team is committed to helping you throughout the entire wedding planning process. 


The newly renovated Sanger Mansion is expected to be done by 2023 and can be the place where you hold your dream wedding. For more information and updates about the Sanger Mansion Venue please visit online and sign up for our email list!

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The Dallas Morning News: “What’s happening to the abandoned mansion in Sanger?” Curious Texas Investigates

sanger mansion

For three decades, a mansion sat vacant in Sanger. Now a new owner wants to bring it back to life.

The Dallas Morning News: “What’s happening to the abandoned mansion in Sanger?” Curious Texas investigates

By: Nataly Keomoungkhon

Published: December 25, 2021

For more than 30 years, a three-story mansion sat vacant in Sanger, an hour northwest of Dallas in Denton County. The mammoth building on South Stemmons Street can be seen atop a hill by drivers cruising along Interstate 35.

The 27,000-square-foot residence was built in the 1980s by the Powell family, who wanted to turn it into a ranch for breeding and selling horses. The property was originally 72 acres and called the Double JP Ranch.

After a set of unforeseen circumstances, construction stopped and the mansion remained unoccupied for decades. Then, in 2020, a new owner decided to bring it back to life.

Isabel Ramey stands with her son Brady Hobbs, 7, and her partner, Kevin Martin, outside Bella Mansions in Sanger.
bella mansions exterior shot
Sanger Mansion
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Credit: The Dallas Morning News

Gift Guide Your Bridesmaids Will Love

bridesmaid gift guide

The women standing next to you on your wedding day have stood by you through the entire wedding planning process, from the engagement celebrations and dress shopping to the bachelorette party and finally watching you walk down the aisle. 

Whether you are childhood best friends who grew up together sharing memories for years or coworkers who instantly clicked, you may be looking for a way to show your appreciation for their friendship and their part in your one-of-a-kind love story.  

Every bride and their group of bridesmaids is different, but we’ve come up with a list of our five favorite bridesmaid gifts that your friends are sure to love!

Bridesmaid Proposal Box

Start off the festivities by gifting your girls a proposal box when asking them to be your bridesmaid. You can personalize your own or purchase one already made on Etsy or similar websites. These cute gifts usually include small items like jewelry, makeup, or sparkling wine that they can enjoy and actually utilize on the big day.

You can work with both luxury and affordable items in your proposal boxes so that it fits your specific bridal budget. For first-time bridesmaids, a letter outlining the costs to come and duties of being in the wedding party can also be helpful to include in the box and may help you avoid surprises later on in the wedding planning process.

Matching Pajamas and Slippers

A matching set of pj’s and slippers helps to set the scene for the prettiest pictures as you and your girls are getting your hair and makeup done on your big day. You can even customize the robes or pj’s with each girl’s name to make it more personal and sentimental. Check out Etsy for a ton of gorgeous pajama and robe set options!

Personalized Champagne Tumblers

Weddings call for wine and celebration! So, what better way to enjoy that than a personalized tumbler. You can customize these wine holders by printing the name of your bridesmaid and their title in your bridal party. Not only will they be fun to use throughout the process, but they make a long-lasting gift for any drink of their liking later on in the future. Check out Bridesmaid Gifts Boutique for personalized tumbler shopping and inspiration!

Matching Jewelry Set 

Necklaces, earrings, or bracelets can create a loving memory to last you and your bridal party a lifetime. Matching sets of jewelry for your bridesmaids to wear at the wedding makes the perfect gift that they will treasure and keep forever while making accessorizing for the big event just a little easier and more coordinated.

Totes and Makeup Bags

The big event may require rehearsals, venue changes, and different locations on the day of the wedding in which you and your bridal party will have to travel back and forth and maybe even get ready on the go. 

To make all of that travel easier, why not gift your bridesmaids monogrammed totes and makeup bags?! The bags will help carry everyone’s things throughout your wedding process and will also be useful for their future travel and adventures!

Bridal Suite for the Big Day

On your big day, a bridal suite is where you will prepare both physically and mentally as you enter the first chapter towards the rest of your life. Bella Mansion’s new Sanger Mansion, currently under renovation, will offer you every aspect needed for your perfect day. 

The luxury estate will include a bridal suite within the mansion so you can get ready upstairs in private and then make a grand entrance down our spiral staircase to the main venue floor. You will have space to spread out, great lighting, and plenty of privacy to relax before the hustle and bustle of the best day of your life! 

We plan to include a floor-length mirror, snacks, and drinks of your liking, and hooks to hang your attire. On your wedding day, you deserve to be surrounded with love, joy, friends, and family, which is why we wanted to include a one-of-a-kind bridal suite in our Sanger Mansion. 

We are scheduled to be party-ready by 2023, so be sure to stay tuned. To learn more about the history of the mansion and to stay updated with everything happening, sign up to join our list of Bella Brides! 

Festive Ideas for Magical Christmas Weddings

The winter holidays are one of the most magical times of the year. If you are a holiday enthusiast, you may even be considering having a Christmas themed wedding.

Christmas wedding decor is a fun, creative space with which you can really get festive. The possibilities are endless when it comes to the colors and styles of all the different Christmas-themed decorations you could use in your venue.

There are plenty of winter wedding ideas that can transform your day into the wonderland of your dreams. We’ve put together some of our favorite festive yet chic ideas for a magical Christmas wedding below.

Decor

Festive decorations make the perfect focal point for any Christmas wedding. You can welcome and guide your guests with whimsical winter signage, or even line your aisle with delicate touches of wintery foliage.

Who says centerpieces need to be flower arrangements? Swap those floral centerpieces out for a candle arrangement or a mini Christmas tree. 

Dresses

From something simple and stunning to something more sophisticated and showstopping, there are plenty of winter wedding dress styles to choose from. 

Long Sleeve Lace

Stunning Satin

High Neck

Cake

From bright winter whites to textured showstoppers, there’s a winter wedding cake design out there for every couple.

Entertainment

You can fulfill your winter wedding fantasy by finding fantastic Christmas themed wedding entertainment. 

Hot Chocolate Bar

Christmas Cocktails

With lots of decor, dresses, cake, and entertainment to choose from, and holiday spirits being at an all time high, a Christmas wedding is a great idea for any Bella Bride. We can’t wait to host winter weddings at the Sanger Mansion in the near future!

Fabulous Fall Wedding Floral Inspiration

fall wedding floral inspiration

The fall season makes for one of the most stunning times of the year to get married. Fall brides find themselves lucky to have a wide array of flowers in bloom to choose from. From rustic and romantic hues to those brighter pops of color, you’re sure to find a bouquet that will highlight all the best parts of fall.

Florals in Season

Many of the season’s most popular blooms can be found in orange, red, yellow, purple, and brown hues. 

Dahlias

Dahlias naturally blossom between late summer and early fall, and they can be grown in many different parts of the country, which makes them relatively simple to source. The best part is that no matter your color scheme, you’re sure to find a shade of dahlia that works for you. 

Chrysanthemums

Are you on the hunt for the perfect flowers to compliment your rustic and romantic fall wedding theme? Chrysanthemums give wedding arrangements a whimsical look with their long statement petals, and they are available in a wide range of colors including pink, orange, yellow, white, and more.

Calla Lilies

Calla Lilies are best known for their elegance and beauty. From traditional white to blush and shades of deep plum, Calla Lilies come in a wide variety of colors. They are ideal for both indoor and outdoor weddings as they are known to hold up well in all weather conditions.

Every Season is Wedding Season at the Sanger Mansion

With fall wedding bouquets as beautiful as the ones we’ve gathered here, you’ll never want to let go of yours. You can check out our Bella Mansions Pinterest board for even more fall wedding floral inspiration.

See Pinterest Board

Check out our other blogs by clicking on the links below to learn more and find some other inspo:

Winter Wedding Nail Inspo

Spring Wedding Trends

Bright, Bold, & Beautiful Summer Wedding Inspo

Read More

Hauntingly Beautiful Halloween Wedding Inspo

halloween wedding inspriation from bella mansions

The leaves are changing colors, the nights are getting colder, and the pumpkins are popping up on porches, it’s officially a spooky season!

If your wedding date is anywhere near October 31st, you may be considering a Halloween-themed wedding or reception. We take all kinds of weddings gravely seriously at the Sanger Mansion, but there’s just something special and spooky about Halloween-themed weddings. 

What’s one of the first things that comes to mind when you think about Halloween? For us it’s that orange and black color scheme. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with it, but we are big fans of adding a little something extra to this spooky holiday. 

We’ve found that there are plenty of ways to incorporate and translate a Halloween theme into a hauntingly beautiful wedding. Check out our tastefully terrifying inspiration

Dark and Dreamy

Color Scheme

Decor

Dresses

Spooky and Sophisticated

Color Scheme

Decor

Dresses

Elegant and Enchanted

Color Scheme

Decor

Dresses

Every Season is Wedding Season at the Sanger Mansion

Aside from these spooktacular Halloween wedding ideas, we’ve also put together guides for our favorite summer, spring, and winter trends.

Check out our other blogs by clicking on the links below to learn more and find some other inspo:

Winter Wedding Nail Inspo

Spring Wedding Trends

Bright, Bold, & Beautiful Summer Wedding Inspo

Read More

Top 6 Wedding Color Palette Trends in 2021

trending wedding color palette trends

When it comes to wedding planning, there are tons of tedious tasks and details that need to be sorted before the big day. The color palette you choose for your wedding is the perfect way to showcase your style and personality.

The wedding colors you choose will ultimately guide many of the other decisions made regarding linens, invites, bridesmaid dresses, florals, and more. 

From lighter color palettes in the spring and summer to darker palettes for the fall and winter, we’ve put together a list of some of the top trending color schemes to inspire you!

Summer Color Palettes

Forest Green & Gold

You can never go wrong with a classic green, white, and gold color palette. The contrast of the crisp white on lush greenery with highlights of gold are one of the hottest trends right now.

Petal Pink & Dusty Blue

If you’re looking for a delicate color palette that creates an upscale garden atmosphere, the petal pink & dusty blue were made for you. 

Fall Color Palettes

Pretty Plum & Dusty Rose

A rich plum combined with a delicate dusty rose color wields a color theme that we can’t help but FALL in love with. You can even try mixing in a vintage copper color or gray to add some depth.

Rose Gold & Raspberry Red

If you’re looking for bold and beautiful color combinations, look no further than rose gold and raspberry red. This color scheme adds a little drama to your wedding look, while also still providing a chic and elegant backdrop for your big day.

Winter Color Palettes

Frost White & Ice Blue

Depending on where your wedding will be held, a snowy wintery landscape isn’t always readily available. The frost white and ice blue color combination brings a shimmer of snow and ice to mimic the frosting of the season. This palette is cool yet warm at the same time.

Black, White & Shimmery Gold

Black, white, and gold gives a nod to the festive wintery season while elevating the wedding look. These colors give any wedding an elegant and enchanting look and are sure to never go out of style.

Summer Color Palettes

Shades of Yellow

The color yellow represents happiness, optimism and hope, so what better way to bring back that summertime sunshine than with shades of yellow.

Lovely Lilac

Light pastel colors are a brides go-to for spring weddings, and one of our favorites is lilac. From lilac to lavender, you’re sure to find a shade that works for you.

Choosing the perfect wedding color combination is equally important as selecting your dress, venue, and decor. Each season provides so many great color options for when it comes to wedding themes and we hope that you find one that inspires you.

Check out our other blogs for more wedding tips, tricks and insights.

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Summer Styled Photoshoot Inspiration

style photoshoot

Summer means freedom and living a carefree life. Summer means adventures with friends and family, and summer means living life to the fullest and trying new things. Whether you know your camera like the back of your hand or you’re just getting into the world of photography, the summer season is full of inspiration to bring out the artist in you.

Here are some summer-themed photos that we love to get you inspired for your next shoot.

Wildflowers

One of the best things about summertime is all of the beautiful florals across the landscape. In many cultures, wildflowers represent happiness and joy–the perfect moods to describe summer. Not only are wildflowers meaningful, but their uniqueness makes for a stunning backdrop for your photos. Just remember that as tempting as it may be to pick them, don’t do it! Leave them be so that more people can enjoy their beauty.

Mirrors

If you are a novice photographer and you want some ideas to stimulate your creativity, consider using a mirror as a prop. You can play with the mirror’s reflection to create unexpected and interesting images. Frameless mirrors can make for incredibly unique photos that blur the line between reflection and reality.

Sundresses

Does anyone else agree that the summer wardrobe is the best wardrobe? The possibilities are endless, from light, flowy dresses paired with a cute pair of sandals to baggy tees plus some cool sneakers. Airy fabrics, bright colors, and new patterns can make for the loveliest photos. 

Colorful

Vibrant, spunky colors in photographs can’t help but catch your eye and make you smile. Colors also significantly affect the mood of the photo. Depending on what colors you use, they can remind you of the warm liveliness of summer, the cozy sleepiness of fall, the fresh renewal of spring, or the cold isolation of winter.

Edgy Looks

Are bright colors and bold patterns too flashy for your style? Try some neutrals and darker tones with cityscapes or unfinished buildings for an edgier vibe. There is something subtle and cool about wood, metal, concrete, and leather. Don’t be afraid to try different poses to see what works best for the story you are trying to tell through your photographs.

Searching for a new location for your next styled photoshoot?

Check out the Sanger Mansion for your summer-styled photoshoot location! Although Sanger Mansion is currently under construction and not yet ready to welcome Bella Brides, its current state provides the perfect backdrop for an artistically styled photoshoot. 
Hone your craft and take photos to your heart’s content. We’ll let you use Sanger Mansion for free! All we ask is that you allow us to share your talented work on our social media and website. Don’t worry; we’ll always give you credit for your images. We can’t wait to see your creativity soar! Contact us to schedule a free, styled shoot today.

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