ARNOLD WAYNE JONES  | Life+Style Editor

You know the joke about NASA? That the astronauts sat on top of a million pounds of explosives in a machine built by the lowest bidder? Well, you could say the same thing about the way many people pick a caterer.

“It’s definitely the biggest expense for most weddings,” says Wendy Krispin, who has been in the business for 30 years. “I’d say 60 to 70 percent of most weddings [is food].”

When it consumes so much of your budget — and it’s usually the one tangible thing your guests have to remember from you big day — it makes sense to get what you want.

“One of the biggest mistakes people do is piecemealing,” says Krispin, president of Wendy Krispin Caterer in the gayborhood. “They’ll say, ‘We’ll do our own alcohol,’ and not realize we can order it for them and deliver it.” And usually at a discount.

In her years planning parties, Krispin has seen trends come and go … some good, some bad. But “there’s always something to learn — you have to change,” she says.

Even so, Krispin does have some trends she likes and some she doesn’t.

“We’re seeing a lot of vegan and vegetarian requests, and gluten-free,” says Krispin — and that’s all right with her. (At her Design District restaurant, Royal Sixty, she’s moving toward a more organic menu as well.)

EAT UP | Whether you plan a sit-down dinner or stick with buffet or passed apps will affect what kind of experience your guest have, says Krispin.

“I try to make the toppings more interesting,” she says. “Instead of cheese, sour cream, bacon and chives, we’ll throw on turnip confit and creamed corn and fried chicken.”

Indeed, such invention is where choosing a good caterer becomes essential. Krispin interviews her clients to come up with the best ideas, asking questions like, “What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?,”

“What’s your favorite restaurant?” and “What foods do you absolutely not want?” She then builds a menu around that, often coming up with ideas even the couple hadn’t considered.

As for the decision of whether to do a seated dinner, buffet or pass hors d’oeuvres, Krispin takes a simple position: “It’s what the couple wants.” Still, she has some suggestions.

First, the best meal may depend on the time of day the reception takes place.

“Hors d’oeuvres are better for early in the day or later in the evening,” she says. “If you are having the reception at dinner time, it’s gonna take a lot to feed people.”

Second, let the space dictate the style.

“We have an event coming up where the parents wanted a seated dinner, but it’s not possible [in the space],” she notes. They had to decide whether the location or the style of food was more important.

“If you’re doing a buffet, set the table for your guests,” she says. It not only saves the hassle of them grabbing silverware to shove in their pockets, it allows you to present a fancier buffet.

Third, the meal will largely be price-driven. If you only want to spend $12/person, you’ll get what you pay for.

With so many decisions, a natural question is: What happens if the couple have different ideas about what they want their dream reception to be? It’s not as clear-cut as you might think.

“More and more, then men in straight weddings are making all the decisions about the catering,” she notes. “The women are sometimes so concerned about how they will look, they turn it over.” But mostly the conflicts she sees aren’t between couples, but where parents disagree with their children’s decisions.

But on those occasions when they brides- or grooms-to-be can’t agree? That’s a different discussion, Krispin says.

“If you can’t agree on one meal, you probably shouldn’t be talking to a caterer,” she says; “you should be talking to a psychologist.”

Wendy Krispin Caterer, 528 S. Hall St. 214-748-5559. WendyKrispinCaterer.com.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 3, 2013.

FLOWER POWER | Don’t be afraid to tell your florist if there are flowers you don’t like, but if you need to stay on budget, greenery can enhance an arrangement inexpensively. (Arnold Wayne Jones/Dallas Voice)

J. DENTON BRICKER  | Contibuting Writer
dentonbricker@gmail.com

When it comes to décor, flowers are the heart of a wedding. Flowers aren’t just fragrant after-thoughts — something for your niece to drop as she shuffles down the aisle. The bouquets, boutonnieres, the nosegay and other arrangements form a cohesive sense of style that helps to tell the story of your big day. Michael Fritz has been in the floral business for more than 20 years; his budding company, Flora Arts Studio, has arranged more blossoms than Mayim Bialik’s handlers. He shared his advice about tending that heart until it blooms.

Plant seeds of inspiration. Before meeting with your florist, Fritz suggests researching (magazines, Pinterest) for images that inspire you. Bring these along with you to provide a visual aid and inspire a creative discussion. And remember to be realistic; images featured in magazines are intentionally over-the-top (and more importantly, expensive), so unless you have a budget to match, expect a simplified version.

Pick a versatile flower. Similar to the camellia, the ranunculus is loved by both grooms and brides alike: Brides adore them because they are layered, lacey, delicate and girly, but being small, they also work as boutonnieres. Their multi-petals allow for them to offer beautiful detail without overpowering a lapel, as a rose can. There are 600 species of ranunculaceae, which allows for a plethora of color options, suitable with almost any palette. From April through late spring, the Dutch ranunculus is divine.

Be honest with your florist if there are flowers you dislike. It’s your wedding, after all.

Compliment/contrast with color. You don’t always have to match the color of flowers to dresses, but you should know what color your wedding party will wear. “Don’t select blooms that clash, but if they are too matchy-matchy, it becomes easy for them to disappear,” says Fritz.

Think outside the bud. Flowers are all about texture and color. Succulents have gained popularity and are a great way to also add shape to both bouquets and centerpieces. You can also have complete arrangements made solely from diverse plants. Not only do succulents provide a unique textural element, but they also offer masculinity to balance some of the frillier flowers.

Don’t forget the filler. When working with a barrage of spring-colored flowers, especially those of paler shades, remember the greenery — pastels pops nicely amid silvery or gray foliage. “Lamb’s ear and Dusty Miller are common greens that add richness and depth to arrangements,” says Fritz.

Go au naturel. Even though certain colors become trendy, make sure your flowers stay natural.

Especially popular with hydrangeas, florists have a way of tinting and painting flowers to match a custom color. When the specified color is not found in nature, they do not look authentic.

Budget your blooms. People often go into a meeting with no clear budget, Fritz says. “The thing is, we could sit there and talk about gorgeous flowers and show cut-outs from magazines but they set themselves up for disappointment if they don’t know what their budget is for flowers.” Be realistic and do your research. For a common wedding party, altar flowers and personal flowers could easily cost $1,500 to $2,000 — and that’s not even including the reception. Table centerpieces are also a big line item. “Think about how many tables you are going to have and what you would like to spend per table,” Fritz says. If needing to save dollars, do a column of floating orchids in a single cylinder instead of a traditional, fat centerpiece. Ask yourself: Are you a true minimalist or a traditional romantic?

Flower your farewell. Check with your venue on any restrictions on what is allowed to be tossed toward the bride and groom during their exit, Fritz suggests. For example, the Dallas Arboretum only allows white petals because they don’t want color staining the natural surroundings. Or be creative.

“Seize the opportunity to flip a table during the reception and create a departure display accessorized with vases, cylinders and candles, where guests pick up their petals,” he says.

Preserve your petals. The best way to preserve a bouquet is to freeze-dry it — and the cost of that will be more than the bouquet itself. Find a company you can ship it off to. Follow their recommendations and pack your bouquet in a cooler as soon as possible following the nuptials. Some bouquets, depending on what they are made of, may dry naturally but they will not maintain the same color or shape, especially hydrangeas and ranunculaceae.

Visit FloralArtsStudio.com to see Fritz’s work.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 3, 2013.

]]> http://www.dallasvoice.com/bed-roses-10146465.html/feed 0 http://www.dallasvoice.com/wed-10146486.html http://www.dallasvoice.com/wed-10146486.html#comments Fri, 03 May 2013 15:30:56 +0000 Kevin Thomas http://www.dallasvoice.com/?p=146486 These gay-friendly houses of worship welcome your same-sex commitment ceremony

AGAPE MCC — 4615 E. California Parkway (SE Loop 820), Fort Worth. 817-535-5002. Agapemcc.com. Revs. S. David Wynn Sr. and Robert Myers. Require pre-service counseling.

Ascension Lutheran Church — 4230 Buckingham Road, Garland. 972-276-0023. AscensionTexas.org. Pastor Kurt Friederich. Blessing service for church members; no weddings for non-members.

Cathedral of Hope/Interfaith Peace Chapel — 5910 Cedar Springs Road. 214-351-1901, ext. 109. CathedralofHope.com. Contact Brian Parman, director of the Interfaith Peace Chapel, for information. The Sanctuary of the Cathedral of Hope, United Church of Christ features beautiful faceted glass windows and can accommodate up to 750 guests.

Celebration Community Church — 908 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Worth, 817-335-3222. Celebration-Community-Church.com. Pastor Carol West; ask for wedding/holy union coordinator. Non-denominational Christian congregation.

Center for Spiritual Living — 4801 Spring Valley Road, Suite 115. 972-866-9988; CSLDallas.org. Senior minister Rev. Petra Weldes; Rev. SharonLynn Martinez. Marriage or commitment ceremony. United Centers for Spiritual Living.

Community Unitarian Universalist Church — 2875 E. Parker Road, Plano, 972-424-8989. Communityuuchurch.org. Rev. Patrick D. Price. The Unitarian Universalist Church performs weddings and supports full marriage equality.

Congregation Beth El Binah — Resource Center Dallas, 2701 Reagan St. BethElBinah.org. Rabbi Steve Fisch, pictured. rabbi@Bethelbinah.info. Reform Judaism recognizes marriage between two Jewish men or women; however the rabbi will perform an interfaith service.

First Unitarian Church of Dallas — 4015 Normandy Ave. 214-528-3990. Dallasuu.org. Rev. Dr. Daniel Chesney Kanter; associate minister: Rev. Aaron White. The Unitarian Universalist Church performs weddings and supports full marriage equality.

Grace Fellowship in Christ Jesus — 411 S. Westmoreland Road. 214-333-9779. Pastor Tony Hoult. Performs holy unions.

Harvest MCC — 725 N. Elm St., Denton. 940-484-6159. Harvestmcc.org. Performs weddings or holy unions.

Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Dallas — 1840 Hutton, Suite 100, Carrollton. 972-243-0761. Mccgd.org. Lead pastor: Rev. Colleen Darraugh; pastor of congregational care, Norma Gann. Provides pre-marital counseling and performs weddings or holy unions. The church facility is available for non-members to rent. The MCC can also connect couples with musicians, photographers and caterers.

Midway Hills Christian Church — 11001 Midway Road. 214-352-4841. MidwayHills.org. Senior minster: Rev. Arthur Stewart. Performs union ceremonies.

Promise MCC — 2527 W. Colorado Blvd. 214-623-8400. Promisemcc.org. Senior pastor Rev. Jon Haack. Performs weddings or holy unions.

Trinity MCC of Arlington and Grand Prairie — 933 E. Avenue J, Grand Prairie. 817-265-5454. Trinitymcc.org. Performs weddings or holy unions.

Rev. Steve Colladay

Unity Church of Christianity — 3425 Greenville Ave. 214-826-5683. DallasUnity.org. Rev. Steve Colladay, pictured. Weddings@DallasUnity.org. Performs holy unions, commitment ceremonies. Its gay pastor is supported by the congregation.

White Rock Community Church — 9353 Garland Road. 214-320-0043. WhiteRockChurch.org. Pastor Douglas Shaffer. Performs holy unions, commitment ceremonies or weddings — “whichever the couple is comfortable with.” Activities center available for receptions.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff — 3839 W. Kiest Blvd. 214-337-2429. OakCliffuu.org. Rev. Mark Walz. The Unitarian Universalist Church performs weddings and supports full marriage equality.

— Arnold Wayne Jones

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 3, 2013.

You’d think choosing a wedding DJ might be the simplest part of making nuptial plans — just google

“Dallas wedding DJ,” call the first name that comes up, book him or her for the date, and boom, you’re done!

Not so fast.

As anyone who has ever been to a dud of a reception knows, the wrong DJ can turn even the most festive guests into wallflowers. Finding the right spin doctor requires as much attention and planning as other reception details. But, as with many of those other details, where to begin?

Neale Jones, event art director of Dallas Light and Sound — one of the most popular wedding design companies in Dallas — has some suggestions.

“You’re going to want the music to be a reflection of who you are, what you like and what your tastes are,” says Jones about the most important first step. “It’s your day.” He suggests that the couple come up with a playlist of their own to guide the DJ before the meeting, but also add a list of what you don’t want to hear. That way, if a guest comes up and says, “Can you play ‘Who Let the Dogs Out,’ the DJ can say, ‘I’m sorry, the couple has asked that we not play that.’”

A second consideration is experience. Wedding DJs don’t just spin tunes; in a sense, they run the reception, acting as master of ceremonies for toasts, timing of the special dances, introduction of the couple and cuing up the right songs to play during certain traditions.

“You want someone who is going to be more adept at working the crowd, announcing certain things that are going to happen,” Jones says. “They can kind of end up being the Voice of God, so you want someone who’s used to doing that.”

A good wedding DJ, Jones says, can run between $750 and $1,200, “depending on the size of the room, the number of people [attending] and how much equipment they have to bring.” The quoted price should cover the entire reception, from start to finish. Tipping is common if the DJ has done a good job, but not particularly expected.

What is expected: Your DJ needs to eat, so include him or her in your food cost calculations. “He or she can’t leave, so you want to make sure they’re taken care of,” Jones says.

DJs should provide their own equipment, and it usually take about an hour to set up, so be aware of that when handing over the keys to the venue or scheduling the caterer to arrive. “I always give myself an hour and half,” Jones says, “in case of things like blown circuits. There’s often some kind of power issue in the venue.”

Which brings us to a final detail many people overlook: When scoping out reception spots, check and see what kind of outlets and power sources the place has, and how many. Couples rarely do this, which can lead to some last-minute finagling. If possible, arrange for an on-site visit to make sure the

DJ has what he or she needs.

— Jonanna Widner

Dallas Light and Sound, 3818 Cedar Springs Road. DFWLight.com.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 3, 2013.

J. DENTON BRICKER  | Contibuting Writer
dentonbricker@gmail.com

Weddings used to be done “a certain way:” You had to have a big cake, fine china and serve a full dinner in the grand ballroom of a hotel.
But gays have always broken the rules — and straights have followed suit. It just isn’t done that way any longer — at least it isn’t according to Reg Land of 7@150, who walked us through his chic industrial loft space.

Full of diverse, eclectic furniture arranged in clever seating areas and thought-provoking art that adorns the walls, Land’s space has a capacity of 700. It is customizable for any event need and ignites the seven senses that Land prescribes to. And everything inside is purchasable.

“The people that come here don’t want the normal,” says Land. He encourages guests to shed their inhibitions and just have fun. “It’s the perfect place for queens to come dance and a cool spot to share,” he says.

So just what should you look for when booking a space for your ceremony? The jovial, artistic Land walked us through his advice on finding the ideal venue for your wedding.

It’s your day and no one else’s. “Do what you want and have fun because it is your day and it should be about you. Break the rules. Do not go by what people tell you or what has to be done because it isn’t that way anymore,” Land says.

Work your space. Don’t reinvent the wheel — find a space already adorned or which has something to work with. Work the flow of furniture based on the expected crowd. If it needs to look fuller, adjust the furnishings accordingly. Make actual traffic patterns to direct the flow of your guests.

Drop dinner. Consider not doing a sit-down meal — tables take up a lot of space. And most people don’t sit down the entire time. “Guests want room to dance and visit,” Land notes. Also consider the costs of wait staff, tables, place settings, etc., in addition to a full meal. Instead, serve heavy hors d’oeuvres like sliders or Chinese lunchboxes and offer ice cream cupcakes or pies instead of a wedding cake.

Think about your timetable. If the ceremony is at 5 p.m., then the reception should normally begin around 6:30 p.m. — and guests won’t have eaten anything since lunch. Starving attendees will eat you out of house and home. Push the reception back to allot time for guests to stop and grab a bite and it will make all the difference in the world on your wallet.

Stock up on supplies. Make sure you have enough food and booze. “You may think it is enough but it probably isn’t and many places will allow the return of unopened bottles so don’t be afraid to stock up,” Land says. If the event is on a Sunday and booze is gone after the first hour, there is no opportunity to purchase more.

Let the music flow. Without knocking live music, tunes are important in setting the tone for how the night progresses. Music helps to control the event with a constant flow of rhythm. With a band, you get songs then a break, songs, then a break … it can end up choppy. A natural flow comes with a DJ.

There are highs in the event that need to be built up into peaks just as there are appropriate times for mellowing it out.

It’s all in the details. The things that do not seem important are probably the most important things, because if they aren’t in place, they can upset the rest; unglamorous considerations like trashcans can turn a swank event into a messy one. Include a venue representative in any planning meetings so they can think about the things you won’t.

Schedule, schmedule. For many weddings, the brides and grooms are on a schedule. They have to be here for pictures and they have to be there to greet guests and they end up being exhausted and not being able to enjoy the day. Let it loose, go with the flow and make your own itinerary.

Go with the pros. Your grandma or aunt might want to help by offering their catering or photography services, but hire professionals. That ensures full accountability if something goes awry without hurt feelings. Family should get to attend the event stress-free.

Manage the event planners. There are tons of great wedding planners, but for a small wedding it isn’t necessary to hire an event planner — not doing so can be a good way to keep a tight budget. If using one, make sure you do not lose your voice along the way. Have the planner sit down for a minute and experience the event so that they can know what guests are experiencing.

Go gay. Gay weddings and receptions are new territory for a lot of people and it is something that needs to be shared. Be honest and open with the venue representative. Pick a setting that provides a friendly environment comfortable for all.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 3, 2013.

SQUARING THE CIRCLE | Malouf’s line of men’s jewelry were meant to stand apart from the sameness of round, boring options so widely available.

ARNOLD WAYNE JONES  | Life+Style Editor

Dian Malouf came up with the idea for her line of men’s wedding rings, as she does most things, in the middle of the night.

Malouf has been a jewelry designer for 20 years — a career she stumbled onto mostly by accident.

“I started out doing it for myself when I couldn’t find a large Texas ring,” she says about her entrée into finger fashions. “I was in Santa Fe, working on my first book, and every day at 3 I’d take a break and go looking for [a ring I liked]. I never found one,” she says. When she came back to Dallas, she designed and created one herself. And it was big.

Soon after, Malouf and her husband went to Rome where strangers would stop and ask her where she got her marvelous jewelry.

“My husband said, ‘You should try some more of those.’ But I was not in the ring business — I had children! I designed another that was so ugly I literally threw it in the garbage. It never occurred to me I’d sell any.”

Eventually, though, shops expressed an interest, and almost without trying, Malouf was in the business of designing jewelry.

It’s almost the same process that led her to her current line of rings targeting gay male couples.

“My husband has a really interesting wedding ring I bought years ago along the Mexican border, where they have much more interesting things,” she says. “[Last year], I was looking for a good-looking man’s ring like that. I went to 18 jewelry stores and didn’t find one that I would buy.

What does that say? They were all round and looked exactly alike.”

Then one night five months ago, she awoke suddenly from sleep and began sketching.

“I came back to it and drew a square ring. Then another square one,” she says. Before she knew it, she had an entire collection of rings in intriguing finishes and unusual designs, from interlacing strands to one emblazoned simply with “Hitched.”

The designing was just a small part. Malouf then found a model who would wear all of them and convey the masculine sex appeal the line was designed for. (She made sure it was a shirtless pic — yeah, she’s that kind of lady.)

The process has been “a series of learning events,” she says. It so preoccupied her, she has been on hiatus writing her third book (about the old Texas ranches near the brush country along the Mexican border, where she grew up) until the line was ready; it just launched, more than four-and-a-half months after she started the process.

So how did a straight married lady decide to design a line of men’s wedding rings?

“Hmmm … I never thought about that,” says Malouf with absolutely sincerity. “If they are going to legalize [same-sex marriage], for me the men will need something. I think there’s a need for it. I just feel like. Before I was even thinking about gay marriage rings, it was just about options for men with taste.”

And everyone knows, Malouf says, gay men have taste.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 3, 2013.

ELEGANZA EXTRAVAGANZA! | Xay Vongphanchanh stands alongside some her of gowns, which contrast nicely if both brides want to wear dresses without looking matchy-matchy. (Arnold Wayne Jones/Dallas Voice)

FARAH FLEURIMA  | Special Contributor
farah@thedallasdiva.com

Xay Vongphachanh knows wedding wear trends well before they hit the street. She should — as head designer at the bridal label Watters, Vongphachanh helps set the trends. And from Watters Bridal (an upscale line) to WToo (for budget-conscious shoppers), Watters caters to the gamut of gown lovers, even offering wedding dresses in colors other than neutrals and carrying plus-size fits. And as a proud members of North Texas’ LGBT community, Vongphachanh knows the gays are always at the forefront.

Vongphachanh shares her treasure trove of information on what’s new and next for spring brides.

Trends for spring
Higher necklines are back in demand.

“Girls are looking for other ways of wearing dresses, other ways of not necessarily being so bare,” she says. “So it’s not a full-on sleeve — some of them have illusion necklines, some of them have a high lace neckline, so it’s sheer and you can see through it. It’s not like fabric all the way up to your chest, but you have sheerness and a little bit of fabric … but not too much.”

Another resurgence is also a Vongphachanh signature at Watters: Fabric movement. “[It’s what] we’re always known for — skirt ruffles, fabric manipulation, mixing fabrics to create some sort of dimension and movement. It’s really a big trend for us.”

Another signature happens to be a perpetual bridewear classic: lace.

“Lace is always big,” Vongphachanh says. “We use lace in different ways, and this time we’ve mixed different laces, from really thick to really thin and creating almost a third fabric by combining the two.”

Can’t pick just one from these spring trends? Happily, it’s not too difficult to find a gown that incorporates all three elements, Vongphachanh says.

Turning the formality down (or up)
With DIY, backyard and rustic-chic weddings all the rage for the last few years — as well as nontraditional and commitment ceremonies — a growing number of brides-to-be are looking for ways to tone down the formality of traditional weddings. It’s not hard — just lighten up, Vongphachanh says.

“For a more casual wedding style, you’d wanna look for something that’s a little lighter, that’s not so heavily constructed, something that feels less formal,” she says. “You could always dress it down or up with accessories. A lot of people make a dress more casual [by changing] footwear — I know a lot of our girls wear cowboy boots,” she says.

Vongphachanh notes that not just dresses but hairstyles can go a long way toward projecting a more casual style; touches like belts, sashes and vintage pieces (such as brooches) can also project more informality.

“A lot of our dresses actually are used for more rustic weddings because of the texture of the fabric.

We have this washed silk organza that doesn’t feel so heirloom, it doesn’t feel so precious,” she says.

To turn the formality up a notch, however, there’s one watchword: More. More fabric, more embellishments, more structure.

ELEGANZA EXTRAVAGANZA! | Xay Vongphachanh stands alongside some her of gowns, which contrast nicely if both brides want to wear dresses without looking matchy-matchy. (Arnold Wayne Jones/Dallas Voice)

“Go for a bigger dress that’s more constructed on the inside — it really does change the way you move. For a lot of people, the more embellished a dress is, the more formal it feels,” Vongphachanh says. A veil or any kind of headwear instantly adds drama to a wedding-day look.

When two brides walk down the aisle
One modern consideration: What’s a girl to do when she and her bride-to-be both want to wear wedding gowns? Vongphachanh assures there are several ways both can wear their big white dream dresses without seeming matchy-matchy.

“The best way to do that would be to do two different silhouettes,” she says. “One could to a ballgown and the other bride could do a sheath or a mermaid, just to contrast. Or you could also do two different fabrics —  one bride in lace, while the other bride does organza. They’re very different.”

As for a way to show a sense of unity once a contrast is established, Vongphachanh endorses selecting lovingly curated details to enhance the look.

“I think you could definitely tie them in with a color [such as] the same color sash on each dress. You could even do the same jewelry to unify it, or you could go with the same bouquet,” she suggests.

Unique colors — and sizes
Speaking of color, brides wanting different shades of dress will find a few Watters gowns in a blushy hue called Whisper Pink. The label also carries plus sizes, primarily through their budget-conscious line, Wtoo. No matter their size, however, almost every bride deals with a pesky sizing issue stemming from their unique shape. Vongphachanh guides us to the best fits for particular bodies:
Boxy/boyish waist: A mermaid cut exaggerates curves, she notes. An A-line dress nips in at the waist and flares out, adding shape.

Small chest: Vongphachanh designs dresses that come with (ahem) a bit of sewn-in assistance. “We build in bust pads and bust cups and boning in it,” she confides. “It’s not really an issue, but if you are looking to minimize or maximize that area, look for something with ruching or some sort of fabric manipulation along the bust.”

Plus-sized: “Larger women come in all shapes and sizes, so it really depends on what they’re trying to enhance or hide,” she says. To conceal hips, she recommends going for a larger skirt seen in a ballgown. But so-called curvalicious gals who don’t mind flaunting their shape should aim for a mermaid dress.

Brides-to-be can find Watters dresses locally at Stardust Celebrations, Stanley Korshak and Lulu’s, which features WToo selections. Watters also creates mother-of-the-bride, bridesmaid and flower girl dresses. Watters.com.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 3, 2013.

Click on the title below to view the story.

Dressing the part

Weddings through a new lens

If ya like ’im then ya betta put a ring on ’im

A bed of roses?

Spatial relations

Spin cycle

Where to wed

Food for thought

JONANNA WIDNER  | Contributing Writer
jonanna.widner@gmail.com

The complexities and nuances of same-sex wedding photography probably aren’t the first things that come to mind for a wedding photographer. After all, the art of capturing images of nuptials has been around since the invention of the camera — the template is set, so why not just apply it to LGBTQ ceremonies? Easy-peasy.

Not so much, say Kathryn Hamm and Thea Dodds, co-authors of Capturing Love: The Art of Lesbian & Gay Wedding Photography, a new self-published book that serves as the first guide of its kind for educating wedding photographers.

“When you pose two women or two men together, the majority of the time they end up looking like just friends or siblings,” Hamm explains. This is a direct result of applying conceptual and technical rules of wedding photography to gay ones. Photographers relying on same-sex idea for couples’ portraits will find themselves facing some challenges — something prospective spouses should consider when choosing their photographer.

SHOOTING INTIMACY  | Hamm and Dodds looked for same-sex photos that demonstrated an understanding of how gay and lesbian couples interact that does not make them look like siblings.

“Some of it is understanding the relationship,” as far how gender roles and other nuances play out, Hamm says. “The second part to it is, some of the mechanics the photographer might consider relative to, for example, contrasts in outfit color. If you have two dark-suited gentlemen together, you’re in danger of having a picture of a dark blob with two heads on top of it.”

Dodds offers another example: “A classic [straight] wedding pose [will show] the bride [with] her hand on the groom’s chest. If you’ve got two women, you cannot do that pose, right? That may seem obvious, but if a photographer is working in the heat of the moment, they may not think of that.”

Written in a clear and engaging voice, Capturing Love provides specifics on how to reconfigure wedding photography aspects so that no wedding album will feature two brides feeling each other up ever again.

Hamm and Dodds started working on their book by sifting through thousands of same-sex wedding photographs, assessing them under three criteria: “Are the images authentic?” “Do the images reflect intimacy?” “Are the images believable?” After poring through hundreds of stills, they set to writing, ending up with a book that successfully blends conceptual ideas with mechanical ones. The process only took six months, but you’d never know it from its compelling and refreshingly simple production values.

The book begins with a background section, which gives a succinct overview of gay marriage and its attendant issues. After that, Capturing Love centers on case studies of engagements, ceremonies and receptions of real same-sex couples. Hamm and Dodds break down each case, analyze what makes it work, along with a statement from the photographer who took the picture.

Capturing Love is never mushy, instead standing as an intelligently wrought manual for anyone who works weddings or is planning one. On top of that, it works as a subtle critique of the current state of gay marriage.

“The entire wedding-industrial complex is geared toward the bride,” Hamm observes. “So what happens when you have two brides? Or none?”

Capturing Love is available in softback ($32.95) and as an e-book ($9.99) at Amazon.com and other retailers. A limited hardcover edition ($34.95) is available exclusively at CapturingLoveGuide.com.

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 3, 2013.

AGAPE MCC — 4615 E. California Parkway (SE Loop 820), Fort Worth. 817-535-5002. Agapemcc.com. Revs. S. David Wynn, Sr., Teri Lubbers and Robert Myers. Require pre-service counseling.

Ascension Lutheran Church — 4230 Buckingham Road, Garland. 972-276-0023. AscensionTexas.org. Pastor Kurt Friederich. Blessing service for church members; no weddings for non-members.

Cathedral of Hope/Interfaith Peace Chapel (pictured) — 5910 Cedar Springs Road. 214-351-1901, ext. 109. CathedralofHope.com. Senior pastor, Rev. Dr. Jo Hudson. Contact Brian Parman, director of the Interfaith Peace Chapel, for information. The Sanctuary of the Cathedral of Hope, United Church of Christ features beautiful faceted glass windows and can accommodate up to 750 guests.

Celebration Community Church — 908 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Worth, 817-335-3222. Celebration-Community-Church.com. Pastor Carol West; ask for wedding/holy union coordinator. Non-denominational Christian congregation.

Center for Spiritual Living — 4801 Spring Valley Road, Suite 115. 972-866-9988; CSLDallas.org. Senior minister Rev. Petra Weldes; Rev. Dr. Marsha Meghdadpour. Marriage or commitment ceremony. United Centers for Spiritual Living.

Community Unitarian Universalist Church — 2875 E. Parker Road, Plano, 972-424-8989. Communityuuchurch.org. Rev. Patrick D. Price. The Unitarian Universalist Church performs weddings and supports full marriage equality.

Congregation Beth El Binah — Resource Center Dallas, 2701 Reagan St. 214-521-5342, ext. 1784. BethelBinah.org. Email Sandy Horwitz, shorwitz@bethelbinah.info or Diane Litke, dlitke@bethelbinah. info. Reform Judaism recognizes marriage between two Jewish men or women; however the rabbi will perform an interfaith service.

First Unitarian Church of Dallas — 4015 Normandy Ave. 214-528-3990. Dallasuu.org. Rev. Dr. Daniel Chesney Kanter; Associate Minister: Rev. Aaron White. The Unitarian Universalist Church performs weddings and supports full marriage equality.

Grace Fellowship in Christ Jesus — 411 S. Westmoreland Road. 214-333-9779. Pastor Tony Hoult. Perform holy unions.

Harvest MCC — 3916 E. McKinney St., Suite B, Denton. 940-484-6159. Harvestmcc.org. Performs weddings or holy unions.

Metropolitan Community Church of Greater Dallas — 1840 Hutton, Suite 100, Carrollton. 972-243-0761. Mccgd.org. Revs. Colleen Darraugh, Steven Pace, Kay Seitz. Provides pre-marital counseling and performs weddings or holy unions. The church facility is available for non-members to rent. The MCC can also connect couples with musicians, photographers and caterers.

Midway Hills Christian Church — 11001 Midway Road. 214-352-4841. MidwayHills.org. Rev. Terry L. Zimmerman. Performs union ceremonies.

Promise MCC — 2527 W. Colorado Blvd. 214-623-8400. Promisemcc.org. Senior pastor Rev. Jon Haack. Performs weddings or holy unions.

Trinity MCC — 1846 W. Division St. Suite 305, Arlington. 817-265-5454. Trinitymcc.org. Performs weddings or holy unions.

Unity Church of Christianity — 3425 Greenville Ave. 214-826-5683. DallasUnity.org. Rev. Steve Colladay. Performs holy unions, commitment ceremonies. Its gay pastor is supported by the congregation.

White Rock Community Church — 9353 Garland Road. 214-320-0043. WhiteRockChurch.org. Pastor Douglas Shaffer. Wedding coordinator: Mary Marshall. Performs holy unions, commitment ceremonies or weddings — “whichever the couple is comfortable with.” Activities center available for receptions.

Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff — 3839 W. Kiest Blvd. 214-337-2429. OakCliffuu.org. Rev. Mark Walz. The Unitarian Universalist Church performs weddings and supports full marriage equality.

— Mark Lowry

This article appeared in the Dallas Voice print edition May 4, 2012.