From Perkins Chapel, to Royal Lane Baptist, to Highland Park Presbyterian and beyond, it is always a joy when our team gets the opportunity to work alongside our Dallas church coordinators! These fabulous women do so much to ensure that each and every “I do” runs smoothly from start to finish, so it was truly a privilege for our team to co-host an afternoon dedicated to “chatting outside the chapel” alongside Garden Gate!
[event photos: John Cain Photography]
Junior and Maria graciously treated guests to a luncheon menu catered by Terry Kranz of TK Culinary. Delicious bites and sips were enjoyed by all as conversation flowed around a table filled with richly-hued violet blooms crafted by Garden Gate.
With so many representatives of the wedding world in just one space, there was no sweeter way to conclude our luncheon than with slices of cake provided by Dallas Affaires. As a final surprise before waving goodbye, each attendee was given a beautiful floral arrangement and a candle from Junior’s gift collection, as well as a crystal wedding cake favor from Dean Driver of Consilium Lifestyle Collections!
As you’ve probably gathered by this point, the theme of our luncheon was centered around engaging in conversation that goes a bit deeper than the “hustle and bustle” a wedding day allows. Today, we’re building on that theme by sharing the answers to a few questions we posed to each guest. Take a peek at their responses below – we have a feeling you’ll enjoy getting to know our Dallas church coordinators on a more personal level just as much as we did!
MEET (A FEW OF) THE COORDINATORS
VALERIE BERGSTROM, Park Cities Baptist Church
What is your favorite memory from a wedding you’ve coordinated?
“The ring bearer was upset and the decision had been made that he wasn’t going to walk down the aisle. Whoever was supposed to be watching him wasn’t, and he got loose and ran down the center aisle during the solo. The problem was that he only had a shirt on…no pants! All four grandparents grabbed him and walked him out down the side aisle. Could have made a fortune on ‘America’s Funniest Home Videos,’ or if it had happened recently, on YouTube!”
“We were married at Park Cities Baptist 33 years ago and both of our sons married at PCBC. The church holds many wonderful memories for our family.”
photo by Perez Photography | see DFW Events weddings at PCBC here, here, and here!
SARA ALLEMAN, Highland Park United Methodist
What is your favorite memory from a wedding you’ve coordinated?
“It was a seven o’clock wedding on a Saturday evening and the tux shop was closed when the father of the bride realized his bow tie didn’t match what the others were wearing. I called my husband (we live five minutes from the church) and told him I needed his black bow tie. Five minutes later, he called and in the middle of Mockingbird Lane and Hillcrest, he handed off the bow tie!”
The number one item every bride needs in her wedding day emergency kit is… “Duct tape.”
photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer | see DFW Events weddings at HPUMC here and here!
DAWN HALL, Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church
What is your favorite memory from a wedding you’ve coordinated?
“In all my years here, the only wedding that beat my own daughter’s (which was last October) was the tiny chapel wedding of two 80-year-olds. As the Pastor who officiated said: ‘They were overwhelming with sweetness.'”
What’s a fun fact, hobby, or something about yourself that people might not already know?
“I met my husband when we were freshmen at SMU. On our first date, he toasted to our first child (no kidding) – he said the minute he met me, he knew I was the one. We were married the year after we graduated and have been married 35 years.”
photo by Andrea Polito Photography | Don’t miss this gorgeous PHPC “I do” from the DFW Events archives!
MERRIET LEWIS, Highland Park United Methodist Church
What is your favorite memory from a wedding you’ve coordinated?
“A couple who claimed German roots wanted a German tradition for the wedding. Apparently, the first act of a newly-married German couple is to do work together to prove they can make it in life as a couple. This couple decided to use the old German custom at weddings of sawing a log in half. After the ceremony, everyone gathered outside the front doors of the church to watch the event. The log was pre-sawed but only about a third of the way through. The wood must have been very hard because they took FOREVER and used a lot of elbow grease to complete the task – but they did it – ending up with sawdust all over them and their formal attire.”
The number one item every bride needs in her wedding day emergency kit is… “Breath mints.”
photo by Andrea Polito Photography | See more here!
SANDRA PRATT, Christ the King Catholic Church
“When the bride walks down the aisle, especially if there is a trumpet with the music.”
The number one item every bride needs in her wedding day emergency kit is… “A smile and a needle and thread.”
photo by Caroline + Ben Photography | More stunning weddings at Christ the King here and here!
Aren’t they just the coolest? Many of these women have been in the wedding world since Mary-Frances founded DFW Events 18 years ago, so needless to say, our entire team left the luncheon feeling inspired by the words of wisdom and fantastic stories everyone had to share! Biggest thanks to all of the vendors who made this event so lovely for our very special guests. Our “Chat Outside The Chapel” event would not have been possible without you!
Vendors:
Event host, floral design, and decor rentals: Garden Gate
Place card calligraphy: Pretty in Ink
Crystal wedding cake favors: Consilium Lifestyle Collections, Dean Driver
Catering: TK Culinary, Terry Kranz
Photography: John Cain Photography
Cake: Dallas Affaires
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