
What a fun, adorably different alternative to your "typical" wedding program. This is a great way to help the guests pass time between the time they get there and the wedding starts. You can make your own headlines. Which ones would you add?

We love the edgy contrast and complement of the plaid flannel shirt against the delicate material of her gown for an autumn or winter bridal shoot. Why not bump it up a notch and make it more personal and cozy? Wear and cinch one your groom's favorite flannel, plaid, collared shirts over the top of your wedding gown bodice for a similar effect! We know he will love it.
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We are delighted to once again present Texas-based wedding planner and superstar, Donnie Brown, Donnie Brown Weddings and Events, in his third of many upcoming, monthly contributing columns. You may know him from the popular TV show, “Whose Wedding is it Anyway?”
Well-known for his direct and vivacious personality, he is sure to keep us in stitches with his humorous opinions and sometimes, unbelievable tales from his experiences as a planner over the years. In addition, he will keep readers up-to-date on the latest bridal trends and “must haves.”
Here, in his next column, Donnie shares a couple of outrageous and colorful remarks he’s overheard at weddings:

Here's something different for you. We love this romantic substitute for the "typical" boutonniere, where the groom wears a key on his boutonniere and the bride has the lock to it attached to the colorful ribbon on her bouquet. Subtle sweetness.

Photo by Lauryn Galloway
How fun! Fruit popsicles in champagne makes for one colorful twist of a party. An alternative would be to substitute Ginger Ale for the champagne.

No way your groom will get cold feet with this demure, bare elegance (pun intended) and playful photograph that you can send him before the ceremony begins. This is such a beautiful expression of how the bride is about to give her whole self to her groom.

Plus it's a fun and fabulous way for you to show off your gorgeous veil.

Hotel Galvez & Spa has been a top choice for brides for 101 years. This Galveston gem, known as the “Queen of the Gulf,” is the only historic beachfront hotel on the Texas Gulf Coast. The gorgeous lobby, archways in the Music Hall and views from the Terrace Ballroom and Veranda serve as a perfect backdrop for small or large receptions. The hotel’s Music Hall can hold 260 guests for a seated dinner while the Terrace Ballroom and Veranda can hold 340 when the space is combined. Some brides opt to have the ceremony in the Terrace Ballroom and utilize the Veranda for a small reception.

This historic hotel offers two options for outdoor ceremonies - the Oleander Garden and Centennial Green. Oleander Garden offers a soothing water wall which is often used as the backdrop for ceremonies. Oleander can host a small ceremony for 29 people while on the opposite side of the hotel, Centennial Green offers seating for 300 guests for a much larger ceremony. Centennial Green is bordered by four small fountains and its pergola is the perfect setting for exchanging wedding vows.
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Emily + Josh!!!
Congratulations, you two! We are eager to see which three of the five packages you will choose, as well as getting to know more about you both. Huge thanks again to all who participated and voted. Choosing the winner was no easy task for our panel of judges. The Texas Wedding Guide wishes all of you every happiness, and congratulates you on your upcoming wedding and a lifetime with your best friend and lover. Thanks again to Sugar Bee Sweets, Donnie Brown Weddings and Events, Randy Ro Entertainment, Amy Karp Photography and Rice Village Diamonds for sponsoring this contest. Without everyone's participation, none of this would have been possible.

{Photo courtesy of Tiny Pies}The Texas Wedding Guide was thrilled to sit down with Tiny Pies in Austin to find out more about why these finger foods, sweet tables and mini pastries are all the rage:
Q: Do you believe these mini pies or cake alternatives to be the hot and hip trend for weddings?
A: I think "bite size" single serving food has become the trend. From sliders to Tiny Pies. Folks are interested in eating smaller portions of food.
Q: Do you see these as the "new" cupcake?
A: I think brides and grooms are bucking tradition and are interested in having desserts that truly represent them. From treat tables with many different types of desserts to serving only pie, they're thinking out of the box for their weddings.

{Photo courtesy of Tiny Pies}
Q: When and why did these mini portions become a popular trend?
A: I think pies are a popular trend because everyone is becoming more conscious of what they eat, where their food comes from and whether it's grown locally or not. Brides and grooms can also highlight their hometown and further personalize their wedding by providing local flavors in their pies, (i.e. Fredricksburg Peach Pie). At Tiny Pies, we strive to by all of our produce from local farmers when we can. It's important to us to support the local food economy.
Q: Did you name your business Tiny Pies, knowing and wanting this item to be the next hot trend for weddings?