1. Real Weddings

Maggie & JP: A Traditional Wedding in Dallas, TX

Dramatic towering centerpieces and a chic color scheme of pink, silver, black, and white, wowed guests at this May wedding. The Bride Margaret (Maggi

Dramatic towering centerpieces and a chic color scheme of pink, silver, black, and white, wowed guests at this May wedding. The Bride Margaret (Maggie) Haddad, 25, grad student The Groom John Paul (JP) Beitler, 27, real estate broker The Date May 28 Margaret (Maggie) Haddad and John Paul (JP) Beitler learned a lot during their years at Southern Methodist University in Dallas -- including the power of instant, true love. Maggie first saw a picture of JP in her friend’s room and immediately asked to be introduced, which happened a month later. The two had lots in common and stayed up until 6 a.m. bonding over everything from art to history and politics. In fact, JP called his father the next day and informed him that he’d found the woman he was going to marry. Nearly five years later, JP proposed during an Easter visit to Maggie’s family’s home.

The Favors
The ballroom was decorated in a modern interpretation of the couple’s palette: pink lamour table linens; bone white urns filled with hydrangeas; black-and-white floral silhouettes; towering black lampshades; and white fur and pink satin banquettes that edged the hand-painted dance floor complete with the “B” monogram.
The Escort Cards
Maggie's eight bridesmaids wore two-piece satin dresses with strapless tops, A-line skirts, and fun, unexpected black ruffles at the hems.
Maggie carried a cluster of white peonies, lily of the valley, gardenias, garden roses, and stephanotis with pink crystal centers accented by a dazzling pink Swarovski butterfly.
Favors were bags of pink jelly beans and Egyptian flowers from the place settings, in addition to truffles and champagne at the hotel for out-of-town guests.
A recurring theme was a custom-designed monogram that incorporated the letters “H” and “B.” For the prewedding designs on the invitations and at the rehearsal dinner, the “H” was more prominent in the monogram, but for the ceremony and afterward, the “B” became more visible, signifying the identity shift to a married couple.
To honor the place that brought them together, Maggie and JP exchanged vows in the Perkins Chapel on the SMU campus. Large windows, gold chandeliers, and a pipe organ gave the traditional space an air of formality.
The groom’s cake paid tribute to the couple’s current hometown of Chicago. The mirror-top table was etched with a map of Chicago, with the cake rising up to create a chocolate-sculpted version of the skyline.
Another highlight of the evening was the bride’s opulent cake, a six-layered confection that alternated round with hexagonal tiers. The white-on-white icing was fashioned in a lace pattern from the bride’s veil, and each layer was accented with Swarovski crystals. Pink ribbon details graced the bottom layer, and the top held a handmade, four-sided crown with the couple’s “B” monogram encrusted with Swarovski crystals.
Modern and decidedly elegant, the day’s signature colors were pink, silver, black, and white, with lots of flashy crystal accents.
Maggie chose a classic, strapless A-line gown by Vera Wang made from tissue silk organza and with beaded Lyon lace at the bodice and hem.