Weddings in Dallas/Fort Worth


I want to start by saying that this is by no means a comprehensive "how to plan a wedding" guide. I am not an expert or a wedding planner. But, I am a photographer that has experienced over 50 weddings in DFW and my wife and I have planned a wedding in DFW. I hope that the following will help you along your way, so let's call this "A Wedding Tips & Tricks Guidebook for DFW".

Venues


I think this is probably one of the first things that comes to mind when you think about planning your wedding day. Where am I going to have it?! I have photographed weddings at several venues across DFW, so here is a list of my favorites!


*Note: Everyone has a different budget for their wedding day, I have tried to include a variety of venues in this list.

Two people walk hand in hand on a forest path during golden sunset, surrounded by tall trees casting long shadows.

Clark Gardens (Mineral Wells, TX)

My Favorite Venues

A couple walks hand in hand across a rustic farmland setting at sunset near a white barn-style building.

Magnolia Grace ranch

LEONARD, TX

The variety here is amazing, they have 3 different ceremony sites. There is also a beautiful bridal suite and a cool hangout room for the groom and groomsmen. Not to mention the staff here are some of the nicest people you'll meet! If you want a classy wedding with a little country feel then this is your best pick!

Rustic wooden pavilion decorated for outdoor wedding ceremony with white chairs lined up along stone pathway.

The Springs Venues

MULTIPLE LOCATIONS

While I have not personally photographed weddings at every location, I have photographed weddings at several of their locations. It is safe to say these venues are absolutely beautiful! The architecture of the buildings vary by site as well as ceremony/reception options.

A couple shares an intimate moment against a brick wall covered in lush green ivy during a romantic outdoor photo session.

THE 4ELEVEN

FORT WORTH, TX

If you are looking for something downtown and industrial this is the venue for you. It has beautiful greenery outside and an incredible industrial natural wood interior. You cannot go wrong with The Brik.

My Favorite Venues

Rows of white folding chairs set up for an outdoor wedding ceremony in front of a rustic stone and wood lodge building.

THE ORCHARD

AZLE, TX

The Orchard is a great middle ground between urban and rural. It's beautiful grounds scream countryside wedding but the venue itself is very classy. I would highly encourage you to go look at this venue!

Couple embraces at sunset in front of rustic Spanish-style church with ornate wooden doors and stone courtyard.

LOST MISSION

SAN ANTONIO, TX

Alright you got me, this one isn't in DFW. But Lost Mission is too good to leave off this list. This venue embodies everything San Antonio, the Spanish architecture of the chapel and the sprawling reception space are just two of the amazing things about this venue!

A modern gothic chapel with tall glass windows and pointed arch architecture stands among green trees in a park setting.

MARTY LEONARD

FORT WORTH, TX

This chapel is drop dead gorgeous! You will have to find a separate reception space which can be more expensive than an all inclusive venue but Marty Leonard is worth it!

Vendors


Your vendors can make or break your wedding day and that's why you want a team of the best in the business. Your vendor needs are entirely dependent on what you want your wedding day to look like but I've compiled a list of some of my favorites that I have worked with over the years!

Dark monochrome image of a bartender preparing drinks behind a bar counter in low lighting.

My Favorite Vendors

A wedding party of four people pose together at an outdoor evening reception venue with string lights visible.

MATT HUNTER

DJ

Matt is THE. BEST. His intentionality with each couple he works with and his engagement with your wedding guests is unmatched. I'd get married again just to have Matt as my DJ, he is seriously the best!

A cold brew coffee and an empty white paper cup from Breve Coffee Co sit on a dark wooden counter with a menu in background.

HIVE COFFEE CO.

COFFEE CART

The folks at Hive are truly top tier people. They have mastered their craft (trust me, I'm a coffee snob) and they have mastered serving people well. Coffee Carts are easily one of the biggest hit at any wedding I've been to and I cannot recommend Hive enough!

A person wearing a white knit sweater and jeans smiles warmly against a light background.

Happily ever hefner

COORDINATOR

Sierra is the best at what she does! I highly recommend a coordinator to all my couples for one reason, so you don't have to stress about timeline on your wedding day. Sierra is the perfect addition to your vendor team that will make your day as stress free as possible!

My Wedding Tips & Tricks


First of all, your wedding day is for YOU and your person! For some reason, more than any other event, when a wedding comes around everyone begins to think it's about them. My first piece of advice is to guard your day, make it what you want and don't do things just because other people say you "have to do this".

A couple stands together in a rustic field during golden hour as the bride wears a flowing white gown with long veil.

Wedding tips & tricks

A group of men in formal attire singing and celebrating together at what appears to be a wedding reception or party.

GUESTS

HOW MANY DO I PLAN FOR?

The age old question, how many people do I need to cater for? How many people are actually going to RSVP? How can I even get a close guess? The biggest piece of planning advice I give my couples is something I learned when planning my wedding. The number of invitations you send is approximately the number of guests you should plan for! So if you invite 250 people but only send out 175 invitations (because some of those people are in the same household) then you should plan for about 175 guests to be there on wedding day.

A black and white close-up of a bride and groom holding hands, showing her bracelet and his suit sleeve.

FIRST LOOK OR TOUCH

HOW DO I DECIDE?

The real answer here is it's 100% up to you! But there are advantages and disadvantages to both. From a purely logistical standpoint a first look makes the day flow a lot smoother. It opens up time before the ceremony to take couples portraits and full wedding party pictures. However, my personal preference is a first touch. There is nothing quite like an intimate moment spent with your partner, holding their hand, praying together, or reading letters to each other before walking down the aisle!

A bride wearing a floral off-shoulder wedding dress with long veil smiles in golden sunlight during sunset.

IT IS YOUR DAY

DO THINGS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO!

You should never have to please anyone else on YOUR wedding day. Whether it's a super unique dress, something different during your ceremony, or just a traditional wedding day you should never let anyone else make these decisions for you and your future spouse. Wedding planning can be stressful and it most definitely is not easy, but you will thank yourself for taking control of your day when you look back at it years from now!