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    Real Weddings

    Nothing cookie-cutter about this clever couple’s modern Dallas wedding

    Julia Bunch
    Dec 23, 2016 | 1:32 pm

    Diana Lopez and Jared Morris first met as college freshmen, though they went to schools nearly seven hours apart. Diana attended the University of Texas at Arlington; Jared attended Eastern New Mexico University. But the pair met at an annual summer internship program in Arlington.

    “We would talk during the summers, then go back to our respective colleges in the fall,” Diana says. “When we graduated and were both living in Dallas, we finally started to date in a real way.”

    But a job transfer for Jared landed the couple in a long distance relationship, then both living in Minneapolis, and eventually Houston (where they live now).

    In August 2015, Jared planned a joint birthday celebration for himself and Diana in Dallas, where their families live. Diana (and most of the guests) didn’t know the birthday celebration was a ruse for an engagement party.

    “I knew it was rare to have a lot of family in town at the same time,” Jared says. “I surprised her at Lake Ray Hubbard at a cool spot with a dock and some fountains. After we got engaged privately, we surprised many of [the party guests] with the engagement.”

    Jared and Diana wed on March 26, 2016, at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Jared wanted a modern, urban wedding. Diana wanted an outdoor wedding. The Nasher accomplished both goals.

    Wendy Kay at Birds of a Feather Events helped the couple bring their unique vision to life with Art Deco invitations and cakes, and an agate stone backdrop and seating chart. Diana used her gold engagement ring and the Nasher’s lush greens as color inspiration, and accented with a rich plum in the flowers. Diana mirrored the delicacy of her Anna Campbell wedding gown for the aesthetic of the wedding.

    After an indoor ceremony and outdoor cocktail hour, Mr. and Mrs. Morris danced to the Bee Gees’ “More Than a Woman.” A sit-down dinner of filet mignon, sea bass, cauliflower gratin, and veggies by Wolfgang Puck Catering allowed guests to fuel up dancing.

    Emerald City Band, a band the couple had seen together many times, got all 120 guests on their feet by the end of the night.

    The couple tried to make their day as unique and personalized as possible. “For any wedding traditions that were cookie-cutter, we tried to go in the other direction,” Jared says.

    But that didn’t keep Jared from cherishing the most classic moment from his wedding day.

    “Seeing Diana all happy and smiling during our first look — I’ll remember that moment forever,” he says. “It was the private moments we shared when no one else was looking that meant the most to me.”

    Ceremony and Reception: Nasher Sculpture Center
    Wedding Planner: Wendy Kay at Birds of a Feather Events
    Floral: The Southern Table
    Linens and Rentals: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, Perch Event Decor, and Propmaker Luxury Event Rentals
    Photography: Apryl Ann Photography
    Video: Splendor Films
    Invitations and Menus: Minted
    Calligraphy: Harts & Quills
    Bride’s Ceremony Dress and Alterations: Anna Campbell
    Bride’s Ceremony Dress Retailer: Blue Bridal Boutique
    Bride’s Reception Dress: BHLDN
    Bride’s Veil: Britten
    Bride’s Jewelry: BHLDN
    Bride’s Shoes: SJP from Nordstrom
    Bride’s Hair and Makeup: Rayven Walker at Beauty & the Blush Artistry
    Bridesmaids Dresses: Badgley Mischka via Rent the Runway
    Groom’s Suit: Menguin
    Groomsmen’s Suit: Menguin
    Reception Band: Emerald City Band
    Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering
    Cake and Desserts: Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery
    Ceremony Harpist: Laurel McConkey
    Transportation: Blue Diamond Limo
    Bride’s Engagement Ring: Cartier
    Bride’s Wedding Band: Gems by Chao
    Groom’s Wedding Band: Braverman Jewelry

    Diana and Jared wed on March 26, 2016, at the Nasher Sculpture Center.

    Jared + Diana candid
    Photo courtesy of Apryl Ann Photography
    Diana and Jared wed on March 26, 2016, at the Nasher Sculpture Center.
    weddings
    news/society
    series/real-weddings-dallas
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    Skating into the holidays

    Downtown Dallas debuts CultureMap City Rink at dazzling tree lighting

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Dec 1, 2025 | 2:23 pm
    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025
    Photo by Ashley Gongora
    Amber Barth from Skate VIDA performs during the CultureMap City Rink Tree Lighting Ceremony.

    A rainy Thanksgiving-weekend forecast wasn't going to stop the official grand opening of the first-ever CultureMap City Rink, presented by Verizon, at Main Street Garden in downtown Dallas.

    On Friday, November 28, representatives from Downtown Dallas, Inc., Verizon, and CultureMap gathered with the community for a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the outdoor ice rink that has transformed the downtown park into a magical winter wonderland.

    Just after sunset, at 6 pm, guests were welcomed from center ice by CultureMap editorial director Stephanie Merry; Downtown Dallas, Inc. VP of marketing and communications Monica Gonzalez, and Keli Ferguson of the Verizon team. As they were about to begin the countdown to light the tree, Santa and Mrs. Claus skated out to surprise the crowd.

    "I've made my list and checked it twice, and it turns out Dallas is very, very nice," Santa told the delighted audience. Then he counted down, "5-4-3-2-1!" and flipped the switch to illuminate the sparkling 35-foot tree.

    The majestic sounds of Trans-Siberian Orchestra's "Carol of the Bells" filled the air, and a group of young skaters from the Skate VIDA skating school glided onto the rink. They twirled, spun, and jumped like future Olympians on the ice.

    Amber Barth, a U.S. Figure Skating national-level competitor from Skate VIDA, gave a mesmerizing solo performance.

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 Amber Barth of Skate VIDA performs after the tree is lit.Photo by Ashley Gongora

    When the rink re-opened to the public, kids (and their parents) slid and scurried onto the ice for the chance to skate and take photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.

    Families fueled up at Rudolph's Rinkside Cafe, presented by DRG Concepts (the folks behind Wild Salsa, Chop House Burger, Wicked Butcher). Warm barbacoa tacos, fried chicken sliders, nachos, churros, and hot chocolate hit the spot as the night grew chillier.

    Guests who were 21-and-up lingered at the Après Chalet lounge on the other side of the rink. The cozy gathering area features nooks with inviting Adirondack chairs next to pipe-stoves - the perfect place to warm up with cocktails showcasing Shiner Spirits or sip on a Yuegling beer.

    The CultureMap City Rink, nestled beneath the colorful tall buildings downtown, brings the fun and festive feel of Rockefeller Center to Dallas. (It's the only ice rink in downtown Dallas this holiday season - and yes, it is real ice.)

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025 The rink will be open through January 5, 2026.Photo by Ashley Gongora

    The rink will be open through January 5, 2026. Visitors can expect themed pop-ups and a full slate of programming designed for every kind of holiday reveler. From romantic Date Skate Wednesdays to Family Movie Nights and Shop + Skate Saturday Markets, there’s something new happening each week:

    • Dallas Holiday Parade Activation — Saturday, December 6
    • Cheap Skate Mondays — Select Mondays
    • Date Skate — Select Wednesdays
    • Family Movie Night — Select Fridays
    • Shop + Skate Night Market — Select Saturdays
    • Santa Skate — Select Sundays

    CultureMap City Rink tree lighting 2025

    Photo by Ashley Gongora

    Amber Barth from Skate VIDA performs during the CultureMap City Rink Tree Lighting Ceremony.

    Regular hours are Monday-Friday from 4-10 pm, Saturdays 10 am-10 pm, and Sundays 10 am-8 pm. During school holidays (December 19-January 4), hours expand to 10 am-10 pm Monday-Saturday and 10 am-8 pm on Sundays. Special holiday hours will take place December 24 & 31 (10 am-7 pm) and December 25 & January 1 (1 pm-7 pm).

    Tickets are $18 for all ages, and include skate rentals and 75 minutes of ice time. Advance tickets, group reservations, and private rink rentals are available at cityrink.culturemap.com.

    Scroll through the photos, above, to see highlights of the Tree Lighting Ceremony.

    holiday attractionschristmasdowntown dallascity rink
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