Bridal Buzz

The Courtroom offers a gorgeous restored ceiling and wood accents throughout.

If you’re looking for a reception, shower, or rehearsal dinner location that is equal parts vintage, unique, and classy you should definitely check out The Venue at 400 North Ervay. The building, which was erected in 1930 and is now a registered historic landmark, houses not only the downtown post office but three fabulous venues reminiscent of a bygone era. The first floor Grand Hall, complete with original, ornate iron-work, high ceilings and marble walls can work for cocktail hour or for seated dinners. If you’d prefer an outdoor location, the Rooftop Garden, still under construction but taking reservations for all of 2012, boasts New York-style city views. The Courtroom is a former, well, courtroom with a gorgeous, restored ceiling, big windows, and elegant wood paneling. Valet parking is available as well as event planning services and custom invitation design. The Venue has three caterers to choose from – Festive Kitchen, Food Glorious Food, and Beyond the Box, and there’s a bonus for the budget-conscious – clients are free to have their own alcohol brought in. – Bailey Powell

This place is sooooo pretty! With a central location, convenient parking, a full bar serving free drinks, heated floors and massage chairs, a variety of spa services from massages to facials to manis and pedis, L’acqua Spa Lounge is a bride’s dream come true. Treat your ‘maids to a day-before mani and pedi, or get them a gift certificate as their bridesmaid gift. If you want to have a group event there, L’acqua can handle the catering for you and of course, the drinks. Your girls will love the pampering and the top-notch service!

The interior of the swanky iPic theaters.

If you’re looking for a rehearsal dinner or low-key bachelorette party venue that your guests will be talking about for years to come you absolutely must check out the iPic theater in Fairview. (Don’t freak out. It’s really not that far. Just a straight shot up central to the Stacy Road exit.) This is nothing like any movie theater you’ve been to before – no sticky floors, no filthy, uncomfortable seats and no crying babies or obnoxious teenagers. Think hip, swanky bar combined with a theater that has cushy recliners for seats, blankets and pillows (that are washed after every showing – I asked) and gourmet food. The bar area is nice enough to just go to without even seeing a movie. Its loungy feel makes it a great place to just grab a drink (from the full bar) and relax or play a game of pool. And the service is impeccable. You’ll feel as if you’re at a five-star restaurant. For group events, iPic is willing to work with you: “We can put together packages catered to the theme/type of event and the chef can even come up with a catered menu. Want hot dogs and nachos for a baseball-themed party? No problem. The bartender can even concoct your very own cocktail(s).” After drinks and toasts in the bar area, guests will move to one of the theaters to settle in for food and more drinks (both served right at their seats) as they watch the movie in comfort and style. For more information or to book your party email jim.nowicki@ipic.com or call 972-549-4204.

Raya recently wrote up the details of our recent experience with that at-home spray tan company, Bronze & Beautiful. Read the blog here and then come back because I have a good idea for you. Why not make your bridesmaids luncheon a spray tan party? If you have more than four people the price drops from $50/person to $40/person. Serve champagne, sandwiches and chocolate covered strawberries while you each take a turn getting bronzed for the big day. And no worries about being naked, you can get tanned in a bathing suit (or really in whatever you wish). The color will easily wash out of any garment. You’ll have fun, your BFF’s will feel pampered and everyone will look perfect in the wedding photos. Alternately, you could give your girls a gift certificate as a bridesmaid gift. That way, they can use it at later date and in the privacy of their own home.

Treat your friends and family to one of the best lunches in the city by having a shower or bridesmaid’s luncheon at The Zodiac (inside the Neiman Marcus Downtown store). Restaurant patrons are guaranteed the same top-notch service for which the company is known. Groups can be seated in a secluded area in the back of the dining area that is private but doesn’t sacrifice ambiance. As with all Zodiac diners, lunch will begin with Neiman’s famous consommé and warm popovers with delectable strawberry butter. The restaurant will be more than happy to work with you to create a customized menu as well as a signature cocktail to personalize the event. Plus, with Ceron Salon right next to the restaurant, you can treat your besties to some pampering pre- or post-lunch. And, if you haven’t found your dream dress yet, why not head over to the store’s bridal salon to try on some frocks. Sounds like the perfect girl’s day out to me!

While I thoroughly enjoyed my dining experience at Malai Kitchen, I won’t pretend that I can even come close to doing this restaurant more justice than one of D’s food reviewers, Sarah Reiss, did. I agree wholeheartedly with her review though (except for her take on the cucumber cream cocktail – while it did have an odd smell, I thoroughly enjoyed its lack of sweetness, touch of coconutty-ness, and creaminess). So now that you know the food and drink are well worth it, why not consider it as a shower, bridal luncheon, or even rehearsal dinner venue? The folks at Malai are more than happy to accommodate your group either on the patio or in the dining room. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful and I can assure you that your guests will be provided a great experience all the way around.

Not many people enjoy going for tea service more than me. Well, maybe Raya. That’s why she and I started reviewing tea services in the Dallas area a while back and posting our reviews on D’s food blog, SideDish. (We have since gotten extremely busy an have had to take a hiatus but we plan on getting back into it very soon.) So it suddenly hit me last night that I should tell BridalBuzz readers about said tea services so they can consider them for bridal luncheons and showers! Duh. We’ve reviewed three so far: The Adolphus, The Dallas Arboretum and Eden Café. All were fantastic for different reasons; it just depends on your wants and needs. So check them out and treat your family and friends to a unique experience that they will rave about for years to come.

Our own Allison Hatfield raved about the newest local cupcakery, Trailercakes, on D’s SideDish blog. Read her review here. Unfortunately, I was out the day these confections made their way through the office but, knowing Allison’s discerning taste buds, I can bet they were as mouth-watering as she says. Try them out at your shower, bachelorette party or bridesmaid’s luncheon. I’ll bet your guests will be raving, too.

Adrift's serene waiting room.

Ladies, if you’re looking for new experience for a bridesmaid’s day or a mellow bachelorette party (is that an oxymoron?), you have to consider Adrift Float Spa, the first of its kind in Dallas. For about the same price as a massage, you’ll experience something just as relaxing but totally unique. Raya and I went for a test run last week. Read her blog about our experience here and then come back so I can tell you about their grand opening party where you can check it all out in person. I’ll wait. Back? Ok! First, let me tell you that floating isn’t just a pampering experience, it has a boatload of physical and mental benefits. One hour of floating is equivalent to four hours of deep sleep! Pretty crazy, huh? Plus, it’s just fun. Since you’re probably intrigued but not sure about it at this point, I’d suggest you head over to their grand opening party this Thursday, February 17 from 5-8 p.m. (They’re right next to La Madeline in Preston Center.) Touring the facility and speaking to the owners will help you to understand the concept. Raya and I thought it was fabulous and suggest it highly. Really though, do you need to know any more than that?

Serve Jam Jar treats to your guests and they'll be indebted to you forever.

A few months ago I had the immense pleasure of sampling some of Jam Jar Sweets treats. Initially, I was trying to be “good” and not have any at all but they looked so delectable I just had to have one bite. Well, you know when something is so delicious that you just say, “Diet be damned!” and eat the whole thing? Well that’s exactly what I did. And the best part was that I didn’t feel guilty at all. It was worth ever single sugary, fat-laden calorie. These locally-made delicacies would make great wedding favors, gifts for out-of-town guests or desserts for a rehearsal dinner, shower or bachelorette party. One of our food editors wrote about them a while back so instead of rewriting everything here, I’ll just link to her post.