One thing that you’ll hear from almost every couple is that everything will happen so fast it will be a blur! You will set the date, start arrangements and in the blink of an eye, you will be standing in front of all of your guests cutting the wedding cake. Throughout the planning process, you’ll hear talk about the budget, the logistics, and so much more – but here are 10 things no one tells you about your wedding day:

1.   10 minutes prior the Ceremony

Ten minutes just before you take your walk down the aisle you’ll be anxious. It’s natural, you are making the decision of your life, and about to take the stage before your loved ones and friends. Take this time to think about your soon to be better half. Do not forget he or she is the reason you are here, and all the other details won’t matter in years to come.

2.   The Perfect Part is The Ceremony

Do your best to be present and enjoy the moment. This is the part you’ll want to remember for years to come.

3.   Crying Moments

Face it, tears will happen at one point, so come so be prepared. Add some extra tissues, lipstick, and mascara for brisk touchups.

4.   Smiling will make your Face Ache

You may feel like you smiled for an entire 24 hours straight (and you have actually done so) – you’ll be overwhelmed by the joy of not only marrying your best friend, but also by seeing your friends and family who have all taken the time to celebrate you.

5.   You will be overwhelmed by the support and love of your loved ones

You will be the center of attention and likely overwhelmed by the camera flashes, hugs and support. Enjoy it. It’s your day.

6.   Spend some Moments alone

It’s your day, it is imperative to spend few moments (alone) with your better half to overcome your emotions.

7.   An Exhausting Day for Sure

The wedding day will be exhausting. You’ll be surrounded by people, overwhelmed by emotion, concentrating on the success of the event and more. Remember concealer and a planner will likely be your best friends.

8.   It will end up different

Your wedding day will never go exactly as you planned. Know this beforehand and keep your focus on enjoying every moment rather than stressing over the details.

9.   Magical Moments come Unannounced

It can be something completely unexpected, like a speech by a roommate, your dad’s hug or a stolen moment with your spouse, treasure these little moments.

10.  A different feel

Even if you have attended dozens of weddings, you will never know how special your big day will feel until it happens. Do what feels right for you and your soon-to-be spouse. Don’t worry about what’s expected of you, make your day yours.

Downtown Dallas Venue

We’ve hosted hundreds of weddings and events at our downtown dallas venue – so we’ve learned a thing or two when it comes to the do’s and don’ts of stationery etiquette. Here are some basic tips to keep your guests (and the etiquette police) happy:

1. Leave off the registry info! It is recommended to leave information regarding your registry off of your printed stationery pieces. Do you plan to include a wedding website for your guests to read more about your story or the event details? If so, this is a great place to list your registry info without offending anyone.
2. Allow your guests to bring a plus one! Your guests are looking forward to celebrating you and your soon-to-be spouse – so go ahead and let them bring that plus one. After all, your celebration will be more fun if everyone is happy!
3. Stamp the RSVP! You don’t want your guests to have to pay for a stamp to tell you if they are coming or not – go ahead and stamp those return envelopes before sending them out to your guests.
4. Send out early! You may have already sent out a save-the-date, but it is recommended to send out your invitation 6-8 weeks before the big day to give your guests enough time to plan ahead and respond to you.

Dallas Wedding Venues | The Empire Room

As you research Dallas wedding venues, it can be tricky to find a location that allows you to truly express your own style. Today’s weddings are beautifully personalized occasions—from custom stationery to unique tabletop displays, the cookie-cutter approach to wedding planning is long gone. It’s important to choose a space that lets you craft a personalized event, tailored to your unique style. When we created The Empire Room, we made customization a priority. Our venue is designed with personalization in mind!

The Empire Room’s blueprint features an open-concept venue with a spacious layout. We designed a roomy indoor area, complemented by modern amenities (including our chic bridal lounge). Then, we added an open patio, with plenty of room for outdoor seating, ceremonies, and/or reception mingling. Overall, the open concept space lends itself to personalization for every event. Take a look at a few of our favorite reasons to invest in an open-concept wedding venue:

• Personalized décor: with a blank canvas venue, you can bring any creative aesthetic to life. Instead of being pigeonholed by the venue’s distinctive style, you have the opportunity to craft a memorable event design—completely unique to your celebration.

• Custom layout: an open concept also allows a custom layout, perfectly tailored to your event. Whether you’re hosting an intimate gathering or a huge celebration, we can customize the table set-up to facilitate your event flow. Create an experience for your guests as they enter the reception and move from one area to the next.

• Flexibility: finally, an open-concept ensures flexibility—even in a worst-case scenario. If you encounter a hiccup during the planning process, it’s easier to switch gears. With indoor and outdoor space, flexible seating arrangements, and plenty of décor options, The Empire Room can accommodate any unforeseen issues with ease.

 

We hope you’ll keep these benefits of an open-concept space in mind as you tour Dallas wedding venues. Of course, we’d love to show you The Empire Room so you can see all the possibilities for yourself! Contact us to schedule a tour and begin envisioning your dream day right here at The Empire Room.

Dallas Fort Worth Wedding Venue | The Empire Room

Recently engaged? Congratulations! We’re excited to meet 2017’s engaged couples and help them create a dream wedding day here at The Empire Room.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, a little extra love is in the air. What’s on your list for your fiancé this year? No need to stress about finding the perfect gift; we’ve got you covered with a Valentine’s gift guide for engaged couples:

For her:

• The Mrs. Box: she’s sporting a gorgeous sparkly ring—why not give her a beautiful place to store it? The Mrs. Box is a major trend this season, and it’s easy to see why. With selections in every color, you can find the perfect hue to suit her style.

• Stylish Luggage: traveling for your honeymoon? Surprise her with a new luggage set or leather tote bag, perfect for the airport. Even better? Have it monogrammed with her new initials.

• Reasons I Want to Marry You Journal: give her a romantic gift from the heart with BHLDN’s sweet leather journals. Fill in a few pages; we have no doubt she’ll swoon for this sentimental present!

 

For him:

• Mark and Graham Catchall: before long, he’ll have a wedding band in need of a safe storage spot. Gift him a leather catchall, perfect for holding keys and wedding band overnight. Personalized with his initials, it’s sure to be a hit.

• Tie Clip: will he be wearing a tie at your ceremony? Have a custom tie clip engraved in anticipation of the big day. Feel free to include a new tie to go along with it!

• Dopp Kit: before the honeymoon, upgrade his travel style with a new dopp kit. Whether you opt for a versatile canvas bag, or a luxe leather kit—he’ll appreciate the new travel accessory.

 

What’s on your wishlist? No matter what you gift to your sweetheart, enjoy this time together as an engaged couple. The best present is your undivided attention; set wedding planning aside for a bit, and enjoy a romantic evening for two. After you’ve had time to relax and unwind with a wonderful Valentine’s Day, you’ll be recharged and ready to handle all those wedding to-do’s.

We hope you’ll visit our Dallas Fort Worth wedding venue as you envision the big day! We’d be happy to show you around and answer any questions. Just contact us to schedule an appointment. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Downtown Dallas Wedding Venue

We know Dallas is full of beautiful wedding venues—each with their own distinct personality. And with so many options out there, selecting the perfect place to host your special day is no easy feat. Of course, each couple will have their own priorities and aesthetic while seeking a venue. That being said, a downtown location can be an amazing benefit to you and your guests!

The Empire Room’s couples always highlight our location as a favorite feature of our downtown Dallas wedding venue. And we have to agree—a downtown location has a lot to offer. Take a look at a few reasons why:

• Character: nothing beats the inherent character of a wedding in the city we love most. Capture the spirit of The Big D by hosting your wedding in the heart of this urban landscape. Nestled in the Design District, our downtown Dallas wedding venue is a memorable space to celebrate your big moment. Plus, with indoor and outdoor options, you can customize our space to suit any style.

• Entertainment value: a central location ensures proximity to all kinds of Dallas attractions and nightlife. Guests will have no shortage of fun activities leading up to the wedding. And if the party goes on after the bride and groom’s grand exit? Guests are close to Dallas’s best nightlife scenes. In need of ideas? Check out our list of things to do in downtown Dallas!

• Ideal for out-of-town guests: make the entire wedding weekend a luxe experience for guests. Downtown offers a wide variety of convenient hotels, accommodations, and attractions. If your friends and family will be traveling to Dallas, let them experience an authentic taste of the city—with all the amenities and conveniences that will keep them comfortable.

• Unmatched views: our downtown Dallas wedding venue offers unparalleled views of the city’s nighttime skyline. Guests can stroll outside in our patio area as they take in the incredible urban view. Trust us—your friends and family will be talking about this stunning sight long after the night is over!

It’s easy to see that a downtown venue has a lot to offer. As for the cons list? There isn’t much to put on it! Some couples are initially concerned about parking—but our valet services are available to make transportation easy on guests and bridal party alike. We’ve worked hard to tailor every aspect of our service to accommodate urban couples and their guests… so you can relax and enjoy your celebration.

We may be a bit biased, but we think there’s a lot to love about a downtown Dallas wedding venue! If you’d like to tour our space and see for yourself, please get in touch. We would love to show you our one-of-a-kind wedding venue and begin planning your big day here at The Empire Room.