Summer Wedding Etiquette Do’s and Don’ts

summer wedding set up on a beach for a Bella Mansions blog on Summer wedding etiquette do's and don'ts

When attending or planning a summer wedding, there are etiquette guidelines to be mindful of. Bella Mansions has some essential do’s and don’ts to help you navigate summer wedding etiquette successfully!

Do’s:

RSVP promptly

Summer is a popular time for weddings and vacations. An accurate headcount is needed to plan accordingly. Respect the couple’s  RSVP request by responding promptly with your attendance status. 

Dress Appropriately

Consider the venue, theme, and dress code specified on the invitation when selecting your attire. Opt for light fabrics, such as cotton or linen, and choose comfortable yet stylish shoes, especially if the wedding is outdoors.

Stay Hydrated

Summer weddings can be hot and humid, so staying hydrated throughout the celebration is crucial. Consider bringing a water bottle in case the venue doesn’t provide any.

Be mindful of sun protection

If the wedding is outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. It’s also considerate to bring extras to share with others, especially if the ceremony or reception takes place in direct sunlight.

 

Don’ts:

Don’t be late

Punctuality is crucial, especially during the summer when delays can impact the overall schedule. Plan your journey, account for potential traffic or parking issues, and aim to arrive a few minutes early to avoid disrupting the ceremony.

Avoid inappropriate attire

While summer weddings may feel more relaxed, it’s essential to dress appropriately and avoid outfits that may be too revealing, casual, or attention-seeking. Respect the couple’s vision and maintain a sense of elegance and formality.

Don’t upstage the couple

As a guest, it’s important to remember that the wedding day belongs to the couple. Avoid wearing white or any attire that might draw excessive attention to yourself, taking the focus away from the bride and groom.

Don’t bring uninvited guests

Unless specified on the invitation, avoid bringing uninvited guests or plus-ones. Honor the couple’s guest list and respect their budget and seating arrangements.

Follow these do’s and don’ts to ensure a peaceful and memorable experience for all involved. Remember, it’s all about celebrating love and creating beautiful memories while showing respect and consideration for others. Have fun and enjoy the summer weddings!

Top 5 Luxury Wedding Estates in Texas

luxury wedding estates in Texas

We can’t think of a better way to make your big day shine than with a luxury wedding estate that is elegant, extravagant, and everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

Texas offers a wide range of wedding venues from grand chapels to antique mansions and we’ve rounded up our top 5 picture-perfect picks for your dream wedding destination!

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Canyon Lake (San Antonio)

Just north of San Antonio, you will find Canyon Lake and a 170-acre ranch and wildlife preservation called The Preserve. The Preserve is located in the heart of the Texas Hill Country, and it is surrounded by towering hillsides, tall trees, beautiful lakes, and more. If you’re looking to get married surrounded by breathtaking scenery and spectacular views, The Preserve is your perfect spot.

Dripping Springs (Austin)

Dripping Springs, Texas, is home to Dripping Springs Distilling and now a brand new wedding and events venue, Distillers Bar and Hall. Distillers Hall is a finely detailed facility that offers a range of options to accommodate weddings and parties of all sizes, from something small and intimate to something more grand and extravagant. The venue blends the best of upscale contemporary Hill Country styled with the artisanal craftsmanship that is behind the Dripping Springs Distilling brand.

Houston

As the largest city in Texas, Houston has no shortage of dreamy wedding venues. If you’ve always dreamed of a royal wedding, you can enjoy a fairytale experience unlike any other at the Chateau Cocomar.  The castle consists of a green garden, a grand foyer, a beautiful bridal suite, and two grand ballrooms. If you want to feel like a true princess on your wedding day, this is the place for you.

Buda

Nestled between San Antonio and Austin, you will find Le San Michele, a luxurious 12-acre country estate in Buda, Texas. Le San Michele features an elegant two-story limestone house inspired by original European architecture and styles. You can even party under the stars when you take the festivities outside to dance on the terrace, patio, or lawn.

Sanger (Dallas)

For 30 years, an abandoned mansion sat hidden away in the beautiful Texas landscapes of a quaint town called Sanger. The 27,000 square foot mansion showcases a 3-story floating staircase in the middle of the house, which makes for the perfect grand entrance and photos. The Sanger Mansion also features captivating landscapes for outdoor weddings and a beautiful vineyard where you will have full access to the ripest grapes. 

While the mansion is not currently open for bookings just yet, it is open for artistically styled photoshoots! Contact us today to learn more or to schedule a date.

We also invite you to follow along and watch our progress towards becoming one of the top luxury wedding estates in Texas. You can sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all things Bella Mansions.

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Need Photoshoot Inspiration? Three Questions to Spark Your Creativity

Photographs have a way of capturing a feeling at a moment in time without using any words. Photography is an art form that can awaken deep emotions and truly connect people by telling a story through images. 

As with any art form, getting started is usually the hardest part. It’s easy to get a creative block that keeps you from trying out new ideas or honing your craft. Don’t get caught up worrying about capturing the perfect photo or having the most original idea, just get started and go from there. If you need a little inspiration for your next photoshoot, try using these questions to get your creative juices flowing.

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Think of your favorite books and movies. Can you use that concept to style a shoot?

Using a book or movie as a theme is an excellent way to inspire imaginative ideas for a fun, styled shoot. For example, From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler is a classic children’s book about a couple of kids who run away from home and live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. The book draws on themes of adventure and childhood fantasy. If you wanted to create a photoshoot around this book, you could opt for a museum setting or a vintage New York feel for your wardrobe.


Other possibilities include Pride and Prejudice for a romantic and elegant style or Stranger Things for an edgy and cool 80s vibe. The options are endless! Have fun scouring through pop culture for a spark of inspiration.

 

 

 

 

Do you have a specific memory or emotion from your life that you want to convey in your images?

Car windows rolled down, the wind blowing through your hair, music blasting from the speakers…you know that feeling. Maybe the joy of a carefree summer day is the emotion that you want to communicate in your photos. Capture your images at a lake or carnival. You could choose light, flowy dresses for your model’s clothing.

Other feelings that could be captured in interesting ways through photography include loneliness, romance, or even rebellion. Feel free to explore a variety of emotions and decide which would make the most compelling photos that could truly speak volumes.

 

 

Are you inspired by a certain location? How can it be the basis for the story you tell?

It’s hard to find anywhere as breathtaking as Mother Nature herself. Majestic mountains, gorgeous beaches, and mystical forests all make for exquisite backdrops for photographs. Base your photoshoot on the patch of sunflowers that brightens your morning when you drive by on the way to work. Put your model in an outfit that compliments the colors of the flowers.

The possibilities are endless when it comes to location scouting. Each location creates a different mood for your shoot. Although the Sanger Mansion has not yet finished its remodel and isn’t ready for weddings, it provides the perfect setting for an artistic shoot in its current state. Wear a bold black dress or bring a ballerina as your model. There are endless ways to create captivating, artistic, and compelling photos with an alluring unfinished mansion as the backdrop.

Whether it’s a wedding photo or a fashion editorial, photography is in its essence storytelling. If you want to flex your creative muscles and try an artistic shoot, you can find inspiration everywhere you look. Let Bella Mansions be part of the story you tell and schedule a shoot at the Sanger Mansion today.

 

 

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5 Tips to Beat the Heat at an Outdoor Summer Wedding

Nothing is more elegant or romantic than an outdoor summer wedding with the gorgeous green scenery, sweet-smelling flowers, and flowy dresses. Unfortunately, odds are that without proper wedding preparation, your day will also include bug swatting, flower wilting, and lots of sweating. 

If you are dreaming of holding your wedding in the sunshine, we have a few simple tricks to help you beat the heat and make your day absolutely magical.

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Choose Your Dresses Wisely

Although that silk dress may be stunning, warm weather can easily damage the delicate fabric. Organza, linen, and cotton are all excellent summer-friendly alternatives for your gown and the bridesmaids’ dresses. These fabrics are lighter, allow you to stay cooler and avoid the dreaded sweat stains.

Light Citronella Candles

In the summer months, you can guarantee the intrusion of bugs at your outside venue. Kill two birds with one stone by opting for citronella candles to keep the mosquitos at bay while setting the mood. Candles also add romance to any situation, and they make for lovely wedding table centerpieces.

Opt for the Elegant Updo

Another simple way to keep the heat at bay is to choose an elegant updo for your wedding day hairstyle. Stunning braided updos or gorgeous low buns are a classic and stylish look to enhance the romance of your wedding while keeping your neck free from an extra layer of heat. We also recommend adding flowers or other hairpieces to accessorize.

Keep Flowers Inside

Those beautiful bouquets you paid an arm and a leg for? Unfortunately, they’re not a big fan of the heat, either. In order to keep your flowers fresh for as long as possible, leave them in a cool and dark location until right before the guests arrive. This will ensure that they are wilt-free and everyone can enjoy the lovely floral arrangements.

Have Water Readily Available

It’s easy to forget to hydrate when you are in a flurry of preparation for your big day. But it’s absolutely essential that you and your guests drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration in the sizzling summer sun. Make sure to set up cold water stations at the entrance of your wedding venue, and infuse the water with fruit slices to double as a pretty decoration.

When you are prepared to beat the heat, outdoor summer weddings are what dreams are made of. Bella Mansions provides the perfect outdoor all-inclusive wedding venue for a lovely day that you’ll look back on for years to come.
See what else makes us the premier wedding venue in the Dallas area.

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Bright, Bold, & Beautiful Summer Wedding Inspo

summer wedding inspiration

Summer weddings are right around the corner, and it has become one of the most popular seasons to say your “I do’s”. With so many weddings going on, you’ll want yours to stand out.

We’re here to deliver some summer wedding inspo that will help you make the most of the time of the year, and embrace the season on your big day.

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Bright Floral Mixes

Summer weddings are a prime time for gorgeous, bright, blooming flowers. No matter the vibe you’re going for, there’s sure to be flowers in bloom that perfectly match your aesthetic.

Hydrangeas

While hydrangeas can be found in traditional white and blue wedding hues, we also love to see them in stunning shades of pinks and purples. Hydrangeas offer a soft, lovely scent to any room, and it is truly and elegant addition to any arrangement.

Cosmos

Cosmos add a bold, and beautiful touch to any summer wedding. Cosmos are meant to be a bright and fun touch of color and pop of drama. 

*Pro Tip* Cosmos are quick to droop in high temperatures. Try to keep them as cool as possible.

Dreamy Dresses

If you’re planning a warm weather wedding, a light summer dress is of the utmost importance. These are just a couple of our favorite summer style favorites. 

Flowy Fabric

Summer weddings come with soaring temperatures, so it’s important that you select a dress that can help keep you cool. Chiffon and tulle are lighter than air, and they create gorgeous flowy movement as you stroll down the aisle and glide across the dance floor.

Airy Gown

Want a bold statement dress, but are afraid of the summer heat? An airy ball gown made with light fabrics keeps a voluminous silhouette cool and comfortable on the hottest of summer days.

Cool Cocktails

There’s nothing like a cool summer cocktail to help you and your wedding guests beat the heat. Mingling at a summer reception is a breeze with any of these cool concoctions. 

Mixed Berry Mojito

Try out this rum-based cocktail made with delicious crushed berries. You can add fruit and mint leaves for a sweet and earthy finish.

Blushing Bride Sangria

Take advantage of seasonal fruits like oranges, grapefruit, raspberries, and strawberries and mix it with some white wine to make a delicious Blushing Bride Sangria.

Summer at the Sanger Mansion

Are you looking for an all-inclusive venue to host your summer 2023 wedding?

The Sanger Mansion is currently undergoing extensive construction and renovations to become a stunning venue for all kinds of summer weddings. The Sanger Mansion will be complete with 3 floors dedicated to your wedding party.

We recently planted our orchard so that all of our beautiful Bella Brides can take a stroll down lover’s lane on their big day.

We invite you to grow in love with us and sign up for our newsletter to watch the Sanger Mansion come to life.