Lynn Michelle Blog

Knot Name: stephiehall

Wedding Date: 11/7/09

Knot Annie: Tell me about the Knotties on your board that you post on. Have you ever joined them for a GTG?

stephiehall: I post on the DFW board.  I haven’t ever joined them for a GTG but I would love to.  They are a great group — everyone is so nice and helpful and most of us who are now married continue to post there to help the new brides. They were invaluable to me as I planned my wedding.

KA: Describe your wedding.

stephiehall: My wedding is best described as classic elegance — but fun! It was held in a historical hotel in Dallas — the hotel my husband and I went to for drinks after dinner on our first date in 2006. Think chandeliers, butler-passed appetizers, white flowers, gold damask linens. The guests were greeted with glasses of champagne upon leaving the ceremony and we had a string trio play during the cocktail hour. After the toasts, the dancing began and didn’t stop until we left the ballroom with our guests tossing rose petals at us as we left!

KA: How have the Knotties on your board helped you plan?

stephiehall: How haven’t they?! Almost every element of my wedding was inspired by another Knottie, and I got every one of my vendor recommendations from The Knot (although I met with them all personally, of course). And each of my vendors was excellent and I loved them all.

KA: Favorite bio on The Knot and why?

stephiehall: Ooh, tough one! I would have to say it is EL13109 (Erin and Luke). Her beautiful wedding provided the inspiration for my own.

KA: Best vendor that you’ve worked with and why?

stephiehall: Hands down, my photographer, Lynn Michelle.  She was such a joy to work with throughout the process but on my wedding day, she provided so much more than just photography — she and her assistant, Vivian, were surrogate wedding coordinators and handled everything with ease, from pinning on flowers to bustling my dress to catching the perfect shot!

KA: What will make your wedding stand out to your guests and where did you find the inspiration?

stephiehall: I think the things that stood out most were the little touches like the string musicians, having our cake served tableside, the butler-passed champagne and appetizers, our candy buffet — all of these were the things the guests loved most — besides the food!

KA: What are you looking forward to most on your wedding day?

stephiehall: I looked forward most to having my husband see me in my dress for the first time at our reveal. And it was a wonderful moment and after that all the stress just melted away!

Relive Stephanie & Ben’s beautiful wedding day here.

How do I properly bid farewell to 2009? 2009 was an awesome year. I don’t want to be done with it, I’d kind of like for the 2009 vibe to spill over and snuggle up to 2010, maybe make out with a little . So, 2009, here is my farewell to you …

[january] Jacque & David | SMU Perkins Chapel & 7 Senses, Dallas

[january] Christina & Chase | Mary Leonard Chapel & David McDavid Studio, Fort Worth

[january] Kimberly & Brandon | The Victorian House, Kaufman

[february] Emily & Mark | The Village Country Club, Dallas

[march] Wendy & Robin | Tzu Chi Foundation, Richardson & The Modern, Fort Worth

[april] Kim & Brandon | Clark Gardens, Mineral Wells

[april] Laura & Jeff | St. Catherine of Siena, Carrollton & Marriott Legacy, Plano

[may] Alicia & Jessie | Heritage Village, Dallas

[may] Fern & Jeff | Marie Gabrielle, Dallas

[may] Heather & Curt | Paradise Cove, Southlake

[june] Lauren & Rob | Dallas Arboretum

[june] Lauren & Jarret | First United Methodist, Coppell & Delaney Vineyards, Grapevine

[july] Rachel & Gary | St. Patrick’s Cathedral & Fort Worth Club, Fort Worth

[july] Ally & Brandon | Cross Point, Kingston Oklahoma

[august] Shelley & Jeff | First Presbyterian & Renaissance Worthington

[september] Carolyn & Henry | First Presbyterian & The Modern, Fort Worth

[october] Holly & Jason | Chapelle de Fleurs, Flower Mound

[october] Jana & John | Marty Leonard Chapel & Stonegate Mansion, Fort Worth

[november] Stephanie & Ben | Warwick Melrose Hotel, Dallas

[november] Katie & Donny | Church of the Apostles, Coppell & Coyote Ridge Country Club, Carrollton

[november] Mary & Nathan | Our Lady of Victory Chapel, Norfolk & The Signature at West Neck, Virginia Beach

[december] Kelly & Jim | Marty Leonard Chapel & Ferre, Fort Worth

[december] Ashley & Peter | Robert Carr Chapel at TCU & City Club, Fort Worth

[december] Kelly & Ron, First United Methodist of Grapevine

Stephanie and Ben opted to merge traditions in their wedding ceremony. Marty Younkin of Love Notes Weddings officiated the Christian ceremony & Rabbi Jeffrey B. Leynor worked his magic on the Jewish portion.

(Side bar: it’s not easy to find a Rabbi that will officiate a dual-faith wedding, so if you are interested in something like this, definitely give Rabbi Leynor a holler at 972.816.7281- he is amazing… and don’t forget how much Marty rocks as well!)

Before the ceremony, Stephanie & Ben signed the ketubah (the Jewish marriage contract):

Marty (left) and Rabbi Leynor (right). They ♥ each other too.

Black ribbons are there to symbolize the family & friends who had passed.

Ben was walked up the aisle by both of his parents, which is customary in the Jewish tradition.

Stephanie takes a breather right before going down the aisle.

Ben sees Stephanie coming up the aisle.

A little giggle as they come up the rest of the way together.

Stephanie had some great expressions during the ceremony.

The rings.

And the Christian tradition of the unity candle.

Ben breaks the glass.

Stephanie shows off the bling to her sister.

The reception room was GORGEOUS.

Ben’s parents give a blessing to the couple.

Stephanie & Ben’s candy buffet.

Stephanie’s sister Ann was really nervous about the toast, but she did such a wonderful job!

He’s caught four garters! Give this man a woman!

Last dance. Alone.