Real Weddings

Dallas brides and grooms of 2019 will say 'I do' to these 10 top wedding trends

It's been a big year for weddings. As spring rolled in, so did British royal wedding mania. And while Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's big day was every bit the fabulous affair we'd hoped and dreamed it would be, there were plenty of Dallas weddings that were buzzworthy in their own right.

For several months, CultureMap highlighted recent fabulous weddings in Dallas and rounded up ideas worth emulating from the inspired events.

Generally speaking, 2018 marked a shift in the pendulum from rustic, burlap-filled events to formal affairs featuring mixed textures and rich color palettes.

According to Brides magazine and WeddingWire, an online resource for engaged couples and party planners, 2019 has even more to look forward to.

The biggest takeaway: Be yourself. Experts agree that weddings are most successful when couples take inspiration from what's trending and give it their own spin, incorporating personal touches that reflect their unique personalities.

Planning a wedding? Here are 10 top trends that experts predict for 2019 (and beyond) to make your own.

A minimalist aesthetic
Sometimes more is more — and sometimes it's not. More couples are foregoing glitz and glam for a minimalist aesthetic. Look for simple invitations, cakes, and even bridal gowns (ahem, Duchess Meghan) to take the lead, often to the backdrop of industrial wedding venues.

Touches of copper
White, yellow, and rose gold have all had their moment. Looking forward, copper will be the metallic hue of choice, showing up in wedding decor on everything from place settings and invitations to cake toppers and centerpieces. Extremely versatile, the metal can read glamorous and elegant or rustic and vintage, depending on the finish.

Coral color palettes
"Living Coral" is officially the 2019 Pantone Color of the Year, and shades of the bold, energetic hue are predicted to be widely embraced by brides across the country. Event planners say there will be a move away from the soft classic colors of late to unexpected palettes featuring vibrant, youthful color combinations.

Eclectic bridesmaids' dresses
Mix-and-match bridesmaids' gowns in varying shades of a single color are nothing new. What is new is the rising trend toward eclectic bridesmaid dresses in varying silhouettes and nontraditional colors, patterns, and prints.

Earthy elements
While the love affair with greenery in decor continues, it gets earthier with the addition of crystals and stones. Many tablescapes will also feature a mix of ceramic and wooden planters.

Artful food displays
Artful presentation reaches a new level with creative displays that incorporate food into decor. Think: doughnut walls, sculptural bread displays, and charcuterie boards doubling as centerpieces.

Craft cocktails
With signature cocktails becoming all but standard, couples are urged to wow their guests with a bar menu featuring an assortment of craft cocktails made with fresh, unexpected ingredients.

Light boxes
Practical as it is pretty, signage has been all the rage for some years now. In coming years, experts predict light box, marquee, and neon signage to replace rustic wooden signs and hand-lettered mirrors and chalkboards.

Out-of-the-box destinations
While guests love a good beach wedding, destination-minded couples are getting more creative with their location choices. An increasing number are going the Old World route, tying the knot in Ireland, Italy, Greece, France, Portugal, or Spain.

Hyper-personalized menus
Long gone are the days of basic chicken, beef, or fish. A growing number of caterers are providing truly personalized service, working with couples to create a menu that meets their dietary needs and includes dishes with cultural or personal significance.

Look for brides to take gown cues from Duchess Meghan's minimalist aesthetic.

Facebook/Meghan, Duchess of Sussex

Look for brides to take gown cues from Duchess Meghan's minimalist aesthetic.

weddings

Park news

Dallas civic leader Calvert Collins-Bratton named Klyde Warren Park CEO

Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the new executive director of Klyde Warren Park.

A respected figure in Dallas philanthropy and parks is stepping into a new leadership role: Calvert Collins-Bratton has been named the next president and CEO of Klyde Warren Park, beginning September 1.

Collins-Bratton succeeds Kit Sawers, who led the park for eight years; her final day in the role was July 20.

The transition comes as Klyde Warren enters its next phase, including a recently announced expansion that will add 1.7 acres over Woodall Rodgers Freeway.

Collins-Bratton most recently served as chief relationships officer at Communities Foundation of Texas, where she oversaw fundraising, donor engagement, corporate philanthropy, and community partnerships, a press release notes. Her ties to Klyde Warren Park stretch back more than a decade through her service as chair of the Dallas Park and Recreation Board, where she advocated for investments in public spaces. She's also been a longtime donor and supporter of the park.

"Few people understand the significance and potential of Klyde Warren Park as deeply as Calvert does," foundation board chairman Jody Grant says in the release. "She has been an advocate for public spaces throughout Dallas, a trusted philanthropic leader, and a longtime supporter of the Park. Her experience and expertise make her exceptionally qualified to lead Klyde Warren Park into the future."

Klyde Warren Park has recently announced an ambitious expansion project. Photo courtesy of Klyde Warren Park

Before joining Communities Foundation of Texas, Collins-Bratton was vice president of communications and strategic events for Methodist Health System Foundation. Earlier in her career, she spent more than a decade as a television reporter and anchor in Omaha, Las Vegas, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

She was selected following a national search led by former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, a member of the Klyde Warren Park Foundation board.

As president and CEO, Collins-Bratton will oversee the park's operations, programming, fundraising, strategic partnerships, and long-term vision as the 5.4-acre deck park continues to grow.

"Klyde Warren Park is one of Dallas' great success stories and one of the most beloved gathering places in our city," Collins-Bratton says. "I look forward to working with the Foundation's board, staff, donors, partners, and community supporters to build on its incredible momentum and ensure its impact continues to grow for generations to come."

In a separate, farewell note, Sawers announced she'll become CEO of the newly created SMU Dallas Office on August 3. She called leading Klyde Warren Park one of the greatest privileges of her career.

"I leave knowing the Park is exceptionally well positioned for the future. It has a talented and dedicated team, an engaged Board, strong community support and exciting opportunities ahead, including a 1.7-acre expansion," Sawers wrote. "The overwhelming response to this summer’s World Cup watch parties once again demonstrated the Park’s unique ability to bring our community together."

Since opening in 2012, Klyde Warren Park has become one of Dallas' signature public spaces, drawing more than 2 million visitors annually with free concerts, fitness classes, festivals, food trucks, and other community programming, they say. The park recently unveiled plans for a $175 million expansion that will nearly double its event lawn and add new green space, play areas, and pedestrian connections.

Collins-Bratton's appointment comes on the heels of another key Dallas leadership announcement: That of Ahava Silkey-Jones as executive director of the Dallas Arts District.

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