Crossroads Bridal December 2020

B R I D A LCROSSROADS
DECEMBER 2020

CFASLHIAONS: SIC INPTAHEINR ODWEN WMORIDCS:
STYLES & WEDDINGS
FAIRYTALE
FLORALS

1 | JANUARY 2021



Located in downtown Cuero,
The Venue on Church Street

is perfect for all types of
weddings and events

Visit us to see why
we are the perfect
canvas for your
special occasion

125 E. Church Street
Cuero, Texas
Schedule a
walk-through:

361-243-1015

Photo By
www.jennykingphotography.com

thevenueonchurchstreet.com

IN THIS
ISSUE

DECEMBER 2020

IN EVERY ISSUE

6 Letter from the Editor

FEATURE

8 Classic Styles &
Fairytale Florals:
Crossroads boutiques offer
current bridal favorites

+PLUS

18 In Their Own Words
Here’s how four couples
adapted their wedding plans
during the pandemic.

24 What’s for Dinner?
The COVID-19 pandemic has
changed business for local
bakers and caterers.

26 New Ways to Celebrate
Bookings resume at wedding
venues in the Crossroads.

30 Virtual Weddings
Meet Microweddings
For weddings, Facebook Live
and other video conferencing
technologies are an alternative
to large crowds.

Model: Paige Terrell
Dress and Accessories Provided By:

ALL ABOUT THE DRESS

4 | DECEMBER 2020

RockportThe Pavilions at
Beach

911 Navigation Circle
Rockport, TX 78382

Located on Aransas Bay, the Rockport Beach
offers breathtaking waterfront views
and sunsets perfect for any event.

FOUR VENUES WITH A VARIETY OF SIZES
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UMBRELLAS, PICTURESQUE WALK OVER BRIDGES

The only thing
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Let our designers FROM THE EDITOR
help make this day special!
W eddings and receptions have taken on a new look
Fresh Wedding Bouquets • Corsages this year as the pandemic has forced brides and
Boutonnieres • Church Arrangements grooms to rethink their big day.
Arch Decorations • Table Decorations In the past, people invited all their friends and family and in
some cases, the entire community, to celebrate their big day. It
PLUS MORE! didn’t matter if you barely knew the couple, you were invited and
you joined the celebration.

Now, guest lists have been trimmed to the most essential of
guests. Those who may have been invited in pre-pandemic times
can take part by watching the livestream of the celebration.

In the past nine months words like social distancing, hand sanitiz-
er and masks have become common among the wedding planning.

Who would have thought people at a wedding would be told to
keep their distance and to cover their faces? That goes against all
wedding etiquette I have ever seen. But now it is essential that we
all do it.

With the pandemic, couples have had to rethink their plans.
This year’s Crossroads Bridal takes a peek at how the pandemic has
changed the wedding industry.

This year has definitely brought in a new era of weddings.
But the couples have shown their love for one another is strong
enough to adjust to the needed changes.
It has shown they can still have a celebration and remain safe
and keep the guests and themselves safe.
In the end, as the couples begin their life together, the import-
ant part is they have one another and they know they can adjust to
anything that life throws their way.

As you prepare for a new life together, re-
member to continue to be adaptable and con-
tinue to love one another unconditionally. May
you have a long and happy life together.

BECKY COOPER

MANAGING EDITOR | VICTORIA ADVOCATE
bcooper@vicad.com

Photo by Jenny King Photography CROSSROADS BRIDAL IS PUBLISHED BY THE

Weddings Consultations by Appointment

VICTORIA 10 ATHNNUAL
2020
1313 N. Navarro | Victoria, TX 77904
(361) 573-3246

WE SERVE ALL SURROUNDING COUNTIES!
WWW.DEVEREUXGARDENS.ORG

6 | DECEMBER 2020

B R I D A LCROSSROADS

DECEMBER 2020

To read this issue online, visit
www.victoriaadvocate.com/bridal

GENERAL MANAGER George Coleman Blake Diver
361-574-1236
MANAGING EDITOR gcolemant@vicad.com Make a new year’s resolution!

WRITERS Becky Cooper This new year, make it a priority to start your
PHOTOGRAPHERS 361-574-1285 degree with the University of Houston-Victoria
bcooper@vicad.com School of Education, Health Professions &
GRAPHIC DESIGNER Human Development. Make your mark by
HAIR Advocate Staff Reporters completing an education certification, a
Master of Education or the new M.S. in
MAKEUP Christine Bazan-Hall Sport Management.
Captured Moments by Christine
Earn an M.Ed. in Counseling; Administration
Duy Vu & Supervision; Educational Technology;
dvu@vicad.com Elementary Education; Adult & Higher
Education; Curriculum & Instruction with a
Sara Bryan concentration in ESL/TESOL or a Dyslexia
Certificate; Special Education with
Beauty and Beau’s Salon and Spa concentrations in Autism, Applied Behavior
Brendalyn Fojtik Analysis or Educational Diagnostician; or
Literacy Studies with a certification for Reading
Flawless Beats by Paige Terrell Specialist. Take classes in Victoria and online.
Beauty by Bailey Marek
What are you waiting for? Spring registration
is open! Email education@uhv.edu or call
(361) 570-4252 for more information about
becoming a UHV Jaguar.

Go to www.uhv.edu/education now!

ON THE COVER
Models, from left, Karlie Stehle, Serena Paris and
Paige Terrell model gowns from Maison Chic Bridal.

CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 7

FEATURE
Model: Paige Terrell

Dress and Accessories Provided By:
ALL ABOUT THE DRESS

8 | DJAENCUEAMRBYE2R021020

&FCALIARSYSTAI CLESFTLOYRLAELSSwordsbyMORGANTHEOPHIL•mtheophil@vicad.com
photos by CHRISTINE BAZAN-HALL, CAPTURED MOMENTS BY CHRISTINE
models SERENA PARIS, ALYSSA HALL, KARLIE STEHLE, KIANA GAONA, PAIGE TERRELL
dresses and accessories provided by ALL ABOUT THE DRESS, MAISON CHIC BRIDAL
hair by BEAUTY AND BEAU’S SALON AND SPA, BRENDALYN FOJTIK
makeup by FLAWLESS BEATS BY PAIGE TERRELL, BEAUTY BY BAILEY MAREK
floral by FLORECITAS FLORAL & MORE
pandemic props by SIGNS AND DESIGNS BY ASHLEY
venue provided by SANTA ROSA BRIDAL DAY SUITE

F or the soon-to-be bride, choosing the perfect dress re- “We still have brides that come in and say they want fully lace, or
quires both thoughtful planning and having an open mind,
said bridal fashion maven Megan Randle. lace as well as beading, but for the most part, that classic, minimalist
“Idea boards, photos and a vision of what you’re looking for are
definitely the best place to start,” she said. “That’s the best way to look is what’s trending right now,” she said. “Which is very classic
set yourself up for success.”
and beautiful.”
Randle, who owns New Beginnings Bridal & Prom in El Campo,
said when it comes to current bridal styles and trends, she is seeing At All About the Dress in Victoria, shop owner Christina Tidwell
brides gravitate toward “fairytale florals.”
said she’s seeing brides look for soft structured, more “boho-style”
“We’re seeing a lot of all-over lace, these new, fun detachable
sleeves and big and bold floral lacy prints,” she said. dresses. For example, many brides are picking soft dresses with

Choosing a dress with detachable sleeves or a detachable skirt, shimmery underlays, high necklines or illusion bodices.
she said, is a unique way to change the style of a dress between the
ceremony and reception. “For many brides it’s simple dresses that are lace or a dove satin,

And while planning ahead before trying on dresses is important, as opposed to dresses with a lot of silver beading,” she said.
Randle said, it’s equally important for brides to be flexible.
Strapless dresses or dresses with sleeves haven’t been as popular
“Go in with that vision,” she said, “but be willing to try on some-
thing different.” as the spaghetti strap or off the shoulder look, she said.

Anni Warwas, assistant manager for the bridal side at Maison At the end of the day, all three bridal fashion aficionados said
Chic Bridal & Special Occasion in Cuero, said brides have been
coming in looking for a classic, full satin look. they would give similar advice to brides who are beginning to look

Many brides are gravitating toward off the shoulder dresses or for their perfect dress: While it’s important to begin dress shopping
dresses with sleeves, she said.
with an idea of what you’re looking for, having an open-mind is key.

After all, Warwas said, many brides end up trying on a “wildcard

dress” — one that they wouldn’t normally choose for themselves —

and end up choosing it for their big day.

“It’s really a different experience for everyone, so you have to

go with the flow and maybe try on what you don’t think you like at

first glance,” Warwas said. “That’s when you might find the one that

you really love.” B photos continued through pg. 15 

CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 9

Model: Paige Terrell
Dress and Accessories Provided By:

MAISON CHIC BRIDAL

10 | DECEMBER 2020 Model: Kiana Gaona
Dress and Accessories Provided By:

MAISON CHIC BRIDAL

CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 10

Model: Alyssa Hall
Dress and Accessories Provided By:

ALL ABOUT THE DRESS

CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 11

Model: Karlie Stehle
Dress Provided By:
ALL ABOUT THE DRESS

12 | DECEMBER 2020 CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 12

Model: Karlie Stehle
Dress Provided By:
MAISON CHIC BRIDAL
Mask Provided By:
MAISON CHIC BRIDAL

CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 13

Model: Serena Paris
Dresses and Accessories Provided By:

MAISON CHIC BRIDAL

14 | DECEMBER 2020 CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 14

Model: Serena Paris
Dresses and Accessories Provided By:

MAISON CHIC BRIDAL

CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 15

Mthaiskeneywouyremaraarkt UHV! Molly Duke

It’s been a difficult time for all of us, but rest assured that UHV UHV Student
cares and is ready to help you earn a bachelor’s or master’s
degree starting this spring. We offer quality yet affordable
degrees to help you make your mark.

Take classes at the UHV campus or online classes around work
or family time.

Get all your questions answered about degree programs,
financial aid, student life, housing and international programs,
and connect with faculty and staff during an upcoming Jaguar
Days session from 8:30 a.m. to noon on Feb. 20 or April 17 at
the UHV campus or on Zoom, depending on conditions. Go to
www.uhv.edu/jagday for more information and to register.

Learn about all of UHV’s upcoming virtual events at
www.uhv.edu/virtual.

Contact us now about becoming a UHV student this new year.
Spring registration is open!

recruitment@uhv.edu (361) 570-4848

w w w. b l i s s f o r m a l s a n d p r o m . c o m ALLURE BRIDALS
STYLE NO. 9813

A crisp finish and subtle
sheen are beautifully in
harmony in composing
this sleeveless ballgown.

COLORS: Ivory/Nude,
White/Nude (shown)
FABRIC: Mikado
SIZES: 0-30

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STYLE: 66169 (left)
Bell Sleeve Fit & Flare Dress
with Back Lace Up Detail
FABRIC: Lace, Tulle
TRAIN LENGTH: Chapel
TREND: Boho

LilliaWn est

STYLE: 6422PS (right)

Chiffon A-Line Plus Size
Bridal Dress with Lace
Bodice & Sleeves
FABRIC: Chiffon, Lace

TRAIN LENGTH: Chapel
TREND: Boho

Feminine • Bohemian • Romantic

FEATURE

PA N D E M I COIwNnTWHOERIRDS:

WEDDINGS

I n the earliest days of the pandemic, much of daily life in the U.S. came to a halt as families stayed home and avoided
going to work and school in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus. For many couples, this meant putting
on hold their weddings until they could safely gather with family, friends and loved ones. Here's how four couples

adapted their wedding plans during the pandemic.

18 | DECEMBER 2020

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Dylan and Mariah
June 13, 2020
LOCATION OF CEREMONY AND RECEPTION:
Family farm in Victoria County
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jenny King Photography
BRIDE: Mariah Barker
GROOM: Dylan Stasa
WEDDING COLORS: Gold and navy

HOW DID YOU MEET?
We met through friends in college.

WHAT WERE YOUR ORIGINAL WEDDING PLANS?
We had planned to get married on family land in Victoria County in March.

HOW DID THE PANDEMIC CHANGE YOUR WEDDING PLANS?
We postponed our wedding until June, but that actually gave us more time to

prepare the property and get everything in shape for our wedding day so we could
have an outdoor ceremony and reception. Our dance floor was set up next to the
tent so everybody could enjoy the night under the stars.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR WEDDING?

We got to celebrate each other with all our friends and family in one place, and
got to do so safely because we were outside. B

CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 19

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Rhea Lee and Travis
Sept. 19, 2020
LOCATION OF CEREMONY:
St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Victoria
LOCATION OF RECEPTION:
The Evermore in Edna
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jenny King Photography
BRIDE: Rhea Lee Hessler
GROOM: Travis Hunter Hessler

WEDDING COLORS: Blush pink, eucalyptus green, and navy

HOW DID YOU MEET?
We met through family friends growing up as kids.

WHAT WERE YOUR ORIGINAL WEDDING PLANS?
We were originally going to be married on April 18, 2020 at 2 p.m.

HOW DID THE PANDEMIC CHANGE YOUR
WEDDING PLANS?

We had a few different date changes until we landed on Sept.
19, we limited the guest amount in our ceremony, and also moved
wedding up to 11 a.m.
WHAT WAS THE BEST PART OF YOUR WEDDING?

Our best memory and favorite part was getting to spend the en-
tire day together. Since our ceremony was at 11 a.m., we literally
had a day full of love and laughter and it was perfect. B

20 | DECEMBER 2020

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Emily and Jason
Nov. 7, 2020
LOCATION OF CEREMONY AND RECEPTION:
Victoria Art League
PHOTOGRAPHER: Leticia Hilscher
BRIDE: Emily Carter
GROOM: Jason Carter

WEDDING COLORS: Sunflower yellow and royal blue

HOW DID YOU MEET?
We actually met on an online dating website. Our first date was in

November 2014.
WHAT WERE YOUR ORIGINAL WEDDING PLANS?

Originally we had planned to get married in April. We were going to have
a spring wedding. But since the pandemic hit, we didn’t get to have a spring
wedding, so we ended up postponing it until July. and we were supposed to
get married in July but my husband’s mom actually ended up with COVID-19.
She recovered really well from it, but we postponed it again.
HOW DID THE PANDEMIC CHANGE YOUR WEDDING PLANS?

We finally were able to have our wedding on Nov. 7. We had a rustic,
sunflower-themed wedding. We didn’t have nearly as many people as we
would have liked to have, but we still were able to have the family that we
wanted there.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR WEDDING?

I’m so glad I got to share this special moment with my 10-year-old daughter.
She was my junior bridesmaid, and she was so excited. It made it really special
for me to actually be able to have her there with me. B

CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 21

IN THEIR OWN WORDS:

Stacey and Johnny
Nov. 8, 2020
LOCATION OF CEREMONY AND RECEPTION:
Yorktown Community Center
BRIDE: Stacey Quintero
GROOM: Johnny Smith
WEDDING COLORS: Burgundy and navy

HOW DID YOU MEET?
We met through Facebook. He’d been sending me messages on

Facebook, and for a whole year he was trying to get to know me, but
we met in person by chance. So I guess it’s meant to be.
WHAT WERE YOUR ORIGINAL WEDDING PLANS?

We were supposed to get married April 14, but we had to cancel.
As soon as the pandemic started, we could only have 10 people in
the building.
HOW DID THE PANDEMIC CHANGE YOUR
WEDDING PLANS?

We still decided to get married at the community hall in York-
town, but it was basically the same except for it was much smaller.
We did temperature checks and had hand sanitizer everywhere, and
we circulated the air in the building more.
WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF
YOUR WEDDING?

My husband works for McMillan’s Bar-B-Q, and they provided
all the food. Mr. McMillan sponsored the food, and it made me
overjoyed for the wedding. And for couples who have to delay their
ceremony, just know that God will find a way. B

22 | DECEMBER 2020

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CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 23

What’s for DINNER?
WEDDING CATERERS AND BAKERS SEE CHANGES IN REQUESTS DUE TO PANDEMIC
words by KALI VENABLE • kvenable@vicad.com

T he COVID-19 pandemic has changed business for local While the name and owners are different, the new bakery features
bakers and caterers that provide memorable meals and the same staff, menu and building as Halepaska’s.
desserts for weddings.
Manager April Barrientes said they make about two wedding
Sweet Fountainz Bakery, like many other bakeries, has experi- cakes per week compared to an average of six in pre-pandemic
times. Couples are also ordering smaller cakes or opting for cup-
enced a reduction in wedding cake requests. cakes instead.

The bakery took over Halepaska’s Bakery and opened in Au- “We’re doing a lot more three-tier cakes that feed 80-90 people
versus the four-tier cakes that feed 190-200 people,” said Barrien-
gust, after the longtime Victoria staple permanently closed in April. tes, who worked at Halepaska’s for 18 years before Sweet Fountaniz
Bakery opened in its place.
Contributed Photo by Love Birds Cake
Barrientes recommends couples set up a cake sampling appoint-
A three-tier cake by Cindy Bird, owner of Love Birds Cake. ment and order as far in advance as possible to ensure the biggest
array of options.

Shipping for specialized cake toppers, stands and color dye has
taken longer than usual, she said.

Cindy Bird, owner of Love Bird Cake, has also seen about half
of her customers trend toward smaller cakes for downsized, more
intimate weddings than they originally planned.

“A lot of people are cancelling the groom’s cakes and scaling
down their original wedding cake,” she said.

Another half of her customers have gone ahead with large wed-
dings while the rest have postponed their special day until 2021 or
2022, she said.

Before cake is served, many couples treat their guests to hors
d’oeuvres or full meals. Due to the pandemic, caterers have had to
adjust their business models.

R. A. Kuester, owner of Country Catering, and Mike Pozzi, own-
er of Mike Pozzi Catering, said they had cancellations role in for
weddings when the pandemic hit in March.

To meet his customers’ needs, Kuester said he honored deposits
for couples that had weddings scheduled before the pandemic hit
and reschedule with them for future dates.

“There are too many uncertainties right now,” he said. “I
wouldn’t want to take (their money) if we can’t do the job.”

Most people have rescheduled for late 2021 or 2022 to be on the
safe side, Kuester said.

24 | DECEMBER 2020

Catering weddings during the pandemic entails taking several Contributed Photo by Sweet Fountainz Bakery
additional safety measures.
A one-tier cake from Sweet Fountainz Bakery.
In addition to having staff wear masks and setting up sanitizing
stations, Kuester said the common buffet-style option is not possi-
ble for most weddings.

“The buffet is pretty much out unless you have someone there
standing at the buffet that is wearing gloves and handing out the
food,” he said. “Not having a buffet is a little bit more expensive
because you have to have more waiters to bring the plated food
to them.”

Pozzi said he is still advising couples to have buffet-style cater-
ing at their weddings because it is cheaper and takes less time to
serve guests.

For buffets, he said he places hand sanitizer at the front of lines
so each person sanitizes their hands before touching the serving
utensils. He also advises having fewer guests go up to serve them-
selves at once to avoid long lines of close contact.

For those not comfortable with a full buffet, Pozzi said he has
also done individually plated service or catering that includes one
self-serve buffet line and one pre-plated buffet line for those who
do not feel comfortable serving themselves.

“There are ways to work around anything to have an event, it is
really just a matter of them being comfortable having an event during
this time,” he said. “It is the mindset of people that matters.” B

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CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 25

Duy Vu | dvu@vicad.com

Amanda Walston, bottom, walks out of the venue to go
down the aisle to be married at The Venue on Church
Street in Cuero.

CeNleewbWraaysttoe
words by MARK ROSENBERG • mrosenberg@vicad.com

26 | DJAENCUEAMRBYE2R021020

I n mid-November, Victoria residents Amanda Walston
and John Wozniak said their vows in the rear courtyard
of The Venue on Church Street in downtown Cuero as

friends and family, some wearing masks, looked on.

Earlier this year, as COVID-19 spread rapidly through Texas,

The Venue, like other wedding venues in the Crossroads, stopped

hosting weddings and receptions, and many couples rescheduled
for 2021. But in October, shortly after Lee Ann Schiffbauer, The
Venue’s new manager, took over, bookings resumed and couples
started tying the knot and dancing the night away again.

“All of a sudden, the last couple of weeks, it’s gotten really busy,”
Schiffbauer said. “I think people are ready to just start living.”

The Venue, which inhabits a building previously occupied by
Stimson’s Furniture, can accommodate 700 guests in normal times.
Even operating at half capacity, 372 people can take in its 80-year-
old hardwood floors, large windows and wrought iron accents. It
also features a balcony overlooking the dance floor, a bridal suite

and a room for the groom. Duy Vu | dvu@vicad.com
“You can call it rustic elegant,” Schiffbauer said.
For those seeking an outdoor wedding, Raisin L Ranch presents Kurt Clements, owner of Kurt and Company Event Design,
goes from table to table lighting candles for a wedding
an excellent option. Twenty-three years ago, Lynette and George reception at The Venue on Church Street in Cuero.

Migl were married on the property and set about building the wed-
ding venue of their dreams, salvaging barn wood for the walls and

continued on pg. 28 

“They laughed with us, For over 175 years,
& cried with us!!”
couples have exchanged their wedding vows

beFore god, Family and Friends at
First presbyterian church oF victoria, texas

361.572.0438 | www.allaboutthedress.com 10 ATHNNUAL
2020

Photography by Jenny King Celebrate your day a beautiFul sanctuary,
concert-quality music,
AT THE CLUB AT COLONY CREEK
Experience all The Club has to offer for and a respect For
your bridal shower, rehearsal dinners, cere-
mony and receptions a couple’s loving commitments
• CUSTOMIZED MENU made to one another in marriage,
• ON-SITE BAR
• FURNITURE & LINENS PROVIDED Fpc welcomes members and
• FULLY STAFFED nonmembers alike.

EAT WELL • PLAY OFTEN • LAUGH LOUD For More Information

The Club at Colony Creek First Presbyterian Church
361.576.0018
theclubatcolonycreek.com 2408 N. Navarro St. | Victoria, Texas 77901 | 361.575.2441
see our website at www.FpcoFvictoria.org
BESTWHO WILL BE 11 TH
OF THE (live streaming and recording oF ceremonies is available)
THE IN 2021? 2021
CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 27
VOTE AT VICTORIAADVOCATE.COM/BESTOF/

SPONSORED BY DORNBURG LAW

2

3

1

4 tin from George Migl’s father’s chicken house for the ceiling over
the dance floor. They hosted their 800th wedding in 2018.
“It’s our little world — our little piece of heaven,” Lynette
Migl said.
The majority of weddings at the ranch take place outdoors on
the Migls’ 35-acre property, where three longhorns wait to greet
visitors in the front pasture. The land is dotted with mesquite and
oak trees, and couples can say their vows down by the lake and en-
joy a campfire or bonfire afterward.
Business has also started to pick up at the Victoria Country Club,
which is hosting crowds of up to 120 in its ballroom. The club has
switched from a buffet to plated meals and spaced tables in an ef-
fort to ensure guests can celebrate safely.
“You can go from very casual with barbecue and that kind of fare
all the way up to upscale with a decorator,” said Leigh Anne Brewer,
the club’s event coordinator. “It’s up to you.”
At another wedding, Brewer said, the members of the wedding
party stood 6 feet apart and the priest wore a mask throughout
the ceremony.
Things may look different, Brewer said, but she is glad that wed-
dings have resumed despite the challenges this year has brought.
“It felt really nice to have all the family and friends together,”
she said. “It’s always a fun celebration.” B
Duy Vu | dvu@vicad.com
1. A decorated room for a wedding reception at The Venue on Church Street in Cuero. 2. Amanda Walston and John
Wozniak get married at The Venue on Church Street in Cuero on Nov. 21. 3. LeeAnn Schiffbauer, manager of at The Venue
on Church Street in Cuero puts wine bottles on a counter. 4. Amanda Walston gets her hair adjusted before walking down
the aisle to be married at The Venue on Church Street in Cuero.

28 | DECEMBER 2020

In Historic Downtown Cuero

144 E Main St, Cuero • Texas 77954
(361)524-5440

www.maisonchicbridal.com
Tuesday-Fri 10-5:30 and Sat 10-4

Appointments are required. Monday Appointments Available.

CROSSROADS BRIDAL | 29

Virtual Weddings

Microwmeeedt dings
words by GEOFF SLOAN • gsloan@vicad.com

T aking important moments into the digital world is another part of the
“new norm” in 2020, and for weddings, Facebook Live and other vid-
eo conferencing technologies are an alternative to large crowds.

Microweddings are a new alternative to previous ceremonies and wedding

receptions that consisted of dozens or even hundreds of guests. While some wed-

dings still involve large groups in person, microweddings keep the crowd size

down while video conferencing allows more guests to attend virtually.

Christine Bazan-Hall is a wedding photographer in Victoria who has worked

many weddings since opening her studio, 3904 John Stockbauer Drive Suite 101,

in 2015. Since the pandemic arrived in Texas, she has seen many couples use

Facebook Live to broadcast the special moment to guests.

For couples looking to tie the knot with guests in attendance virtually,

Bazan-Hall suggests keeping the streaming device charged well, only streaming

certain big moments such as the ceremony or first dance, and keeping the device

on a stand or tripod.

Using a stand or tripod helps keep the video steady but also prevents a

videographer from watching the moment through a phone screen or accidentally

talking over the video.

She also said streaming a wedding is easier when it’s a smaller group.

“You don’t want to look at the event through your phone,” she said.

Streaming has entered the wedding scene since the coronavirus caused small-

er events, but Bazan-Hall said weddings in the area haven’t changed that much.

Wedfuly is one option for couples interested in having their virtual wedding

planned and organized. Another change to wedding planning available through

Wedfuly is the ability to plan a wedding in a few weeks.

Whether because of virus concerns or a far distance to travel, video confer-

encing technology is starting to arrive in the wedding planning industry.

Contributed Photo by Rae Barber Bazan-Hall has even been using video conferencing to host preliminary consul-

Flower petals, a microphone, tripod and lap- tations with engaged couples to plan photography for their wedding and get to know
top stream a wedding organized by Wedfuly, a
business that helps couples plan and conduct the couples.
virtual weddings nationwide.
“It’s so people don’t feel alone,” Bazan-Hall said of the new way to involve

more people in a couple’s big day. B

30 | DECEMBER 2020

Contributed Photo by Rae Barber

Two phones sit on tripods at a wedding organized by Wedfuly, a business that helps couples plan and conduct virtual
weddings nationwide.

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