👇 Last-minute Mother’s Day plans here

May 7, 2026

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Happy Thursday, North Texas,

We are just a few weeks away from the start of wedding season, so I thought it would be interesting to see how much it costs to have a wedding in Texas right now. Let’s look at the average cost of key wedding details in 2026.

💍 Before wedding planning even begins, there are usually rings. Data released earlier this year shows that an engagement ring costs Texans $8,468.

👰‍♀️ Texas is on par with the rest of the country when looking at the cost of a wedding dress this year—$2,100 on average.

🍽️ Catering is a significant expense, especially with the increased cost of food prices due to tariffs. For a 150-person guest list, it’s likely to cost you $7,500, and that doesn’t include a cake.

💒 The venue will likely be a couple’s biggest expense, requiring a little more than $10,000.

🔔 Overall, a 150-person wedding in Dallas is likely well over $30,000—think $240+ per guest.

Would you spend that kind of dough if you got married today?

Yeah, it’s worth it

Heck no!

If you’ve had a wedding, write in and tell me what year and how much you spent. Any regrets on how you spent the money? (Is this a nosy request or investigative journalism?! They’re the same thing.)

Joi Louviere

Senior Newsletter Editor, COURIER DFW

Hispanic Texans face stark healthcare gaps, report finds

The Commonwealth Fund’s latest report indicates Texas’ Hispanic population is currently facing alarming health disparities. (Hush Naidoo Jade Photography/Unsplash)

By Sam Cohen

The Commonwealth Fund released a report on April 29 detailing specific health disparities, and Texas notably has an ongoing issue: Hispanic people in the state often experience worse health care access, outcomes, and quality than other groups.

It’s a problem that’s plaguing every state, but the Lone Star State is seeing a more severe trend than any others in the Southwest.

The senior vice president for the Commonwealth Fund’s Achieving Equitable Outcomes, Dr. Laurie Zephyrin, said, “In most states, American Indian and Alaska Native people and Black and Hispanic people and communities really continue to bear the highest burden and have the worst health access and affordability.”

Here are some contributing factors

🚕 From Dallas to the Big Apple: A soul food restaurant that launched its first restaurant in downtown Dallas in 2020, and constantly lands on the region’s most booked list, will open its seventh location in New York City‘s Times Square. (Dallas Observer)

🛟 Retired & drowning: The rapid rise in the cost of living is leaving DFW seniors on fixed incomes struggling, with many living in poverty, a census report shows. North Texans give firsthand accounts here. (Dallas Morning News)

🤩 H-E-B in the HEB: The Hurst, Euless, Bedford area will finally get to shop at their long-awaited H-E-B. The Mid-Cities grand opening is set for May 20. Check out new store details here. (WFAA)