Texas Weddings

Classic weddings can do no wrong in my book but add in a military influence and these elegant affairs go from good to great instantly. Need photographic proof? Look no further than this black tie Texas wedding, captured by Stephanie Brazzle. The color palette, the beaming brand new Mr. and Mrs., the saber arch; it’s all pretty perfect and I could go on and on forever but I recommend you just dive into this gallery and see it all for yourself (so good, right!?)!

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From the Bride… Although Kevin and I met in college, we just remained friends and study buddies with an unspoken attraction. After college, Kevin commissioned in the Army and I moved to Dallas. He was visiting Texas on leave and decided to finally ask me out on a date to Taco Diner. We still celebrate our “Tacoversary,” as the anniversary of our official first date! We immediately knew that this relationship would be something special despite the long distance between us. We even went through a 9-month deployment to Afghanistan before we were able to live in the same state! Kevin’s service to our country is something that has significantly influenced our relationship, so we could not imagine a wedding day that didn’t have military influence. We loved the military traditions of the uniforms, the saber arch, and the cake cutting with the sword! We also loved the formality of the military, and thought a traditional, black-tie wedding would be best suited for us – not to mention a lot of fun!

Our family and friends were the most important aspect of the day to us. While we met living in Texas, we were engaged while living in North Carolina, were married while living in Georgia, and now I am writing this from our newest duty station, Germany! To us, this wedding was the perfect opportunity to visit with everyone we loved one more time before our big move.

Photography: Stephanie Brazzle Photography | Videography: Thompson Pictures | Event Planning: Shannon Schultz Events | Floral Design: Something Pretty Floral | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Cake: The Fort Worth Club | Invitations: Bering's | Ceremony Venue: Robert Carr Chapel | Reception Venue: The Fort Worth Club | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bari Jay | Calligraphy: The Vintage Hand | Lighting: Beyond Lighting | Band: The Walton Stout Band | Groom's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Transportation: Silver West Limousines | Bridal Boutique: Ivory Bridal Atelier | Dance Floor: DFW Dance Floor | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Monogram: Shuler Studio | Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar

These two may have toured Green Pastures while it was being renovated but they could feel the magic even then. And when it was all set to host their special day, it didn’t disappoint. It was the beautiful backdrop to this rustic elegant Texas wedding, full of burgundies, navy and gold and Pine and Blossom captured a gallery so gorgeous we can’t look away. Join us among all the goodness right this way!

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From the Bride… Kyle and I fell in love with our venue, Green Pastures, from the first day we toured it. We toured when it was under renovations, but believed in the vision and could feel the magic this place held in our city. We booked the very next day. The 19th century property has beautiful oak trees surrounding a Southern charm styled white house, is wonderfully landscaped, and even has peacocks on property. The bonus is that it is in the heart of Austin!

Since the venue brought so much charm and beauty, I wanted the wedding to complement it and not take away from the natural beauty. I envisioned a wedding that is simple and elegant. We had neutral tones, lots of natural greenery, gold picture frames and table decorations, and a pop of burgundy color in the flowers and bridesmaid dresses. The groomsmen wore navy suits with black ties and black shoes to help formalize the event without having them wear black tuxes!

The ceremony was on the front lawn surrounded by oak trees and a string quartet played traditional music as we walked down the aisle. The reception was filled with love and everyone had a great time on the dance floor! It was a perfect evening that my husband and I will never forget.

From Uptown Events & Travel… When Katie reached out to me about helping her with the coordination of her wedding day at Green Pastures, I was absolutely delighted. With such a special history at this venue, I was thrilled to see the place come to life with the beautiful renovations. It couldn’t have been more of a perfect setting for Katie and Kyle! It fit their style seamlessly – natural beauty, Southern charm and elegance. Katie’s centerpieces were simple yet stunning. The color palette showcased the Pantone color of the year – greenery and the pop of burgundy in the bridesmaid dresses and bouquets nicely accented the overall design. Adrien of Pine and Blossom Photography captured the details flawlessly!

Photography: Pine and Blossom Photography | Event Planning: Uptown Events & Travel | Floral Design: Wild Bunches | Cake: Michelle’s Patiserie | Stationery: Vera Wan For Papyrus | Bride's Shoes: Steve Madden | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Makeup: Pearl Austin | Hair + Makeup | Makeup: Eleve Cosmetics | Hair: Blo Blow Dry Bar | DJ: Penguin Entertainment | Officiant: Bonnie McKinstry | Ceremony Music: Hill Country Strings | Wedding Venue: Green Pastures | Getaway Vehicle: Metrocycle Pedicabs | Ring Box: The Mrs Box

Blurring the lines between outdoors and in, this downtown Austin wedding brings romantic garden vibes to the industrial loft backdrop of Brazos Hall. The result is a lush, greenery-filled garden reception masterminded by The Nouveau Romantics and beautifully captured by Ryan Ray, with a film by Filmstrong. It’s so pretty, you’ll forget it didn’t take place in the great wide open.

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From The Nouveau Romantics… From the very first meeting, Kathleen and Michael had their hearts set on an outdoor wedding, but as the bride’s hometown, with a significant amount of guests from out-of-town, they wanted to capitalize on a location that was convenient and minimized travel. Enter Brazes Hall, with our promise that we would do just that – bring the outdoors in to soften the industrial appeal of brick walls and upper deck’s modern styling. We developed a palette that was grounded in shades of green, with touches of white, cream, soft lemon yellow, and touches of lavender — the perfect compliment to the spring season of their May wedding. The day’s flow was an important consideration, as the late afternoon ceremony at the downtown St. Mary’s church linked into a cocktail hour on Brazos second floor open-air deck, downstairs for a lush, garden-inspired dinner, and then back upstairs for a enthusiastic dance party compliments to The Flashdance. Kathleen’s request for a lush, greenery-filled dinner experience in the indoor first floor came to life via dainty twinkle lights draped lightly across the wooden beams, greenery hanging atop the central Bridal party table, and an escort card “wall” of nude floor-length fabric surrounded by lanterns, florals, and even more greenery. Upstairs was designed around the idea of a “speak easy” and “living room” feel, as we surrounded the dance floor with 8 separate, unique, and coordinated seating vignettes from a variety of local Austin vendors that completely transformed the space. Adding in some 14’ draped curtains to the steel beams helped to create that intimate feel. The Flashdance delivered an epic dance party that was fueled by late night Whataburger snacks and a full-sized Amy’s Ice Cream sundae spread that guests are still talking about!

From the Bride, Kathleen… Originally from Austin, I had always wanted an Austin wedding and Michael was kind enough to agree! My dream had always been to dance underneath the Texas stars with our family and friends. As most of our guests were from out of town, we wanted them to experience Austin as we loved it. We picked St Mary Cathedral, across from the Capitol, for its gorgeous architecture. We later chose Brazos Hall, just a few blocks away, for the amazing rustic feel downstairs and upstairs rooftop. We wanted to have a the causal feel of Austin but with a touch of elegance. I fell in love with greens, ivory, and maudes because of their muted tones but wanted gold touches to add some elegance. Liz and the team somehow made everything come together with ease. We were so fortunate to have the most experienced and kind wedding planners, The Nouveau Romantics, who made our dreams come true. I had a unusual request of dancing on the rooftop patio (to accomplish that dream of dancing underneath the stars). Liz and the team made it the most gorgeous setting with lounge areas, candles, and lights to set a casual but elegant tone I was hoping for. They also had the best recommendations for vendors, which I think fulfilled the whole weekend. From the perfect weather in Austin during May, to our amazing photographer, videographer, DJ, and other vendors, we literally could not have asked for a more amazing day. The most wonderful part of the whole weekend was the love we felt from all of our guests. Our family and friends traveled all over the country to celebrate with us in Austin and we were so fortunate to be surrounded by such loving people. Its cheesy to day ‘it was the best day of our lives’, but it really was.

Photography: Ryan Ray Photography | Videography: FilmStrong Productions | Cake: Coco Paloma Desserts | Church: Saint Mary Cathedral Diocese Of Austin | Reception Venue: Brazos Hall | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Royal Fig Catering | Make-Up: Nisa Nicole Makeup Artistry | Hair: Janet St. Paul | Lighting: Ilios | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Groomsmen's Attire: The Black Tux | Transportation: Transportation Consultants | Bridal Gown: Anna Maier | Bridal Salon: Warren Barrón Bridal | Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mishka | Draping: Shelly Bounds | Event Planning, Event Design, Florals, Papergoods: The Nouveau Romantics | Getaway: Easy Rider Pedicab | Late-Night Snack: Amy's Ice Cream | Late-Night Snack: Whataburger | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Music - Dinner: Chris Story Band | Music - Reception: THE FLASHDANCE | Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals | Rentals: Whim Hospitality | Rentals: 10th Collections | Rentals: Loot Vintage Rentals | Sound: The Big Sound House

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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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It may seem like a minor detail… but I noticed. This Bride is wearing her hair up in a beautiful braid and I just love it (all you brides-to-be out there, take notice! It looks fab!). But this was just one pretty detail among many that make this classic wedding stand out. From start to finish, we have a story as sweet as can be and Bear Hands Media Group captured it all, from braids to blooms. Take a little break from all that holiday shopping and enjoy some love and laughter right this way!

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From Bear Hands Media Group… When Maggi was referred to us, we were already a fan of her art (maggidunwoodyart.com) and we were very excited about taking on the project of shooting her wedding day. We knew this was going to be an especially fun and creative couple. Maggi and Eric and everyone who surround them are so fun and funny, just so amazing to be around. We’re so lucky to have met them and we’re so grateful they chose us to be with them on their big day!

We started the day at a beautiful old church in Westheimer called Saint Anne where the ceremony was traditional, but had the occasional touches from the priest that kept their family and friends laughing. Then we all boarded busses back to Houston Country Club where, let us tell you, this group partied like no other. We have so much ridiculously awesome footage of the dance floor going nuts, we could have made an entire video of just that. Maggi and Eric danced with their guests all the way to the very end. They never stopped. It was such a blast. Maggi and Eric’s big day did not disappoint and will certainly go down in history as one of our favorites.

Cinematography: Bear Hands Media Group | Event Planning: Houston Country Club | Floral Design: Houston Country Club | Stationery: Papellerie | Ceremony Venue: Saint Anne | Reception Venue: Houston Country Club

Within the first 15 seconds of this wedding film we get views of one amazing cake… but it doesn’t stop there. From the sweetest flower girls to an absolutely amazing evening ceremony, this is a grand celebration – and Bear Hands Media Group captured it all. From start to finish, it’s elegant and romantic and oh so stunning – sit back and enjoy a wedding straight out of a fairytale!

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From Bear Hands Media Group… This is a highlight film from our very favorite shots captured from Sarah and Alden’s beautiful day. This is a wonderful family that had a killer team and it just made for the most stunning moments.

Photography: Chris Bailey Photography | Cinematography: Bear Hands Media Group | Event Planning: Belle Events | Floral Design: Events In Bloom | Stationery: Papellerie | Ceremony Venue: Tallowood Baptist Church | Reception Venue: Houston Country Club | Decor: Events In Bloom

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Event Planning

Belle Events

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The White Sparrow just might be Texas’s most popular wedding venue of 2017, but a look at this cheerful wedding captured by Tenth + Grace will show you why. The lush green lawn, whitewashed interior, and ample natural lighting make it a dream space for any soiree! So get your Pin button ready – you’re going to love everything about this one!

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From Tenth + Grace… No one wants to see rain on their wedding, but nothing could dampen the joy this bride and groom felt throughout their big day. Landry and Kolton had planned to have an outdoor wedding ceremony, but the Texas weather had other plans. Fortunately, their wedding venue was the beautiful White Sparrow, and their indoor rain plan turned out to be absolutely gorgeous. And we were blessed with some beautiful sunshine later in the day! Everly Alaine Florals designed the most stunning bouquets for Landry and her bridesmaids – everyone at the wedding could not stop raving about them!

Photography: Tanya Menoni | Floral Design: Everly Alaine Florals | Cake: Bittersweet Bakery | Invitations: Minted | Shoes: Dolce Vita | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Free People | Makeup: London Crews | Hair: Haylie Pollard | Wedding Venue: The White Sparrow

With pops of hot pink and gold sparkles galore, these two Texans said “I do” and then got ready to party – home state style. From the favors to the cuisine and more, we’ve got shout outs to all of their favorite people, places and things, and Kelly Hornberger and 31 Films captured every detail so we too can be inspired. See all the glitter and glam right this way!

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From the Bride…
Our proposal story… Clay had one of my maids of honor, Barbara, come visit us from California and knew that was the perfect weekend to propose. He worked with my mom to make sure we could get up to my parents’ house on Lake Conroe without me being suspicious. After lunch, he maneuvered me towards the dock where a beautiful gazebo overlooks the lake. The gazebo was unfortunately being used for a wedding rehearsal, but Clay improvised (with some help from my dad and brother) and the proposal went off without a hitch right on the lake’s edge. Afterwards there was a surprise party with some close family and friends, put together by my mom, maids of honor and bridesmaids.

Our overall “inspiration” for our wedding design/decor was to have an elegant, fun wedding with rustic, Texas-inspired details and pops of color throughout.

Some unique, special wedding details included:
– We tried to incorporate both our families and backgrounds throughout the whole wedding. We chose a beautiful rustic barn venue which corresponded to my husband’s upbringing on a ranch outside of Austin, TX. It was the only venue we toured and I knew it was perfect as soon as we saw it. The bright bridesmaids’ dresses and colorful flowers represented my mom’s Bermudian side of the family.

This also carried over into what we served with a seafood bar and dark n’ stormy cocktails (for my Bermuda side) and Shiner beer, mini tacos/margaritas during cocktail hour and Whataburger inspired late night snacks to represent our love for Texas.

We also pulled in our respective colleges (Texas A&M and Ohio State) by having custom cornhole boards made for cocktail hour, college inspired cookie favors, and of course, having the band play our fight songs. We also had a beautiful Texas A&M groom’s cake the night before at our rehearsal dinner.

It was really important that everybody have plenty to eat and drink and have a great time throughout the whole weekend. We had welcome drinks when people arrived off the shuttles to help with the Texas heat, an outdoor photobooth station when guests needed a break, a band and DJ to keep people on the dance floor, and of course plenty to drink and eat all night, with some goody bags so people could take extra dessert favors to go. My parents also hosted a brunch at their house on Lake Conroe the next morning which was a great way to have additional conversations with our family and friends without us feeling as rushed as the night before.

My husband did not want to see me before the ceremony, but I wanted to see him, so we did a first “touch” with me peeking around the corner to see him and exchange some letters. It really helped me with my nerves and we got some great pictures beforehand.

We wrote our own vows and I am so glad we did. It really made it that much more personal and special to us. It was also great to have some laughs when we realized we both referenced our love for college football and animals in our respective speeches

My favorite moments include getting ready with my bridesmaids all morning at the venue; it definitely helped me relax and enjoy the moments leading up to the wedding, getting to see the venue all decorated before the ceremony started, our first dance (a Texas two-step of course!), and just taking it all in during the reception while guests ate. My dad’s speech was also a special moment because he really surprised me with how sweet and funny it was!

Finally, seeing my husband’s face when I changed into my second dress (which was a complete surprise to him) was wonderful, and made it a lot easier to dance the rest of the night away!

My advice for future brides/grooms:
– Start planning as soon as you can, there are always little things you can do throughout the first couple months to help ensure the last two aren’t crazy packed. Stay organized and make/keep a lot of lists, it helps make you feel like you’re on top of it! If your budget allows it, splurge for great quality photography and videography. It was been several months since the wedding and I’m so glad I have these things to help us remember our wonderful day for years to come!

Most of all, try and relax and have fun. There will always be little things that “go wrong”, but in the end, nobody notices and it certainly won’t be what you remember at the end!

Photography: Kelly Hornberger Photography | Videography: 31FILMS | Event Planning: J Low Events | Floral Design: Blooming Gallery Scott Konitzer | Wedding Dress: Ines Di Santo | Cake: Cakes by Gina | Wedding Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Lula Kate | Catering: Behind The Bash | Hair + Makeup: Sunkissed And Made Up | Band: The Drywater Band | Wedding Venue: Big Sky Barn

I can’t stop staring; I’m downright obsessed with this stationery. The colors, the florals, it’s all just so, so good – major props to Alex Leigh Franklin! This suite set the stage for a colorful, beautiful bloom-filled Texas wedding captured in completion by Allen Tsai that is one delightful detail after another. See all the perfect pics in our gallery right this way (and get ready to get pinning pic after pic to those Pinterest boards)!

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From the Bride… Mauricio and I wanted our wedding to have a casual vibe that incorporated elements of nature and natural light. The moment we visited the Laurel, we knew it would be the perfect place for our wedding. Having the venue in Grapevine, Texas gave a sense of both destination and home. Our favorite part of the Laurel was the chapel, with its large windows and wood ceiling beams, that gave our wedding the touch of traditional we were looking for.

The contributions from family and friends played a major role in helping our wedding be extra special. My sister, Alex Leigh Franklin, created all our paper goods including the save-the-dates, wedding invitations, ceremony programs and menus. She incorporated hand painted Laurel leaves and flowers, like peonies, in all the designs. Another good friend and talented artist (@nrfcalligraphy) addressed all our wedding invitations in beautiful calligraphy script. We made sure to incorporate personal touches into the wedding, too, including my grandmother’s earrings that I wore, and a cameo pendant pinned on my bouquet which belonged to my grandfather. Mauricio’s grandmother even serenaded us with a Spanish love song at the reception.

Our florist, from Everly Alaine Florals, brought to life my sister’s designs by creating stunning displays full of greenery and an array of pink, white, dark red and orange flowers. It was also important for us to find a fine art photographer to capture our wedding style and help the day progress in a timely manner. Allen Tsai did an amazing job using natural light and real film to capture all the big and small moments of our wedding! An amazing team of vendors (and supportive family and friends!) was key to bringing the aesthetics of our wedding to life!

Photography: Allen Tsai Photography | Floral Design: Everly Alaine Florals | Wedding Dress: Eddy K | Stationery: Alex Leigh Franklin | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Calligraphy: Natalie Fleming | DJ: Le Force Entertainment | Wedding Venue: The Laurel | Bridal Boutique: BHLDN

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Petit Bouquet

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In case you missed it, this week is the 10th birthday of our Little Black Book! Isn’t that incredible!? And we couldn’t think of a better way to keep the celebrations going all weekend long than to share this insanely beautiful Camp Lucy wedding, which shows the magic that happens when Little Black Book members like Jenna McElroy, Westcott Weddings, and Lovely come together. Trust us, you’ll be coming back to this swoon-worthy gallery all weekend long – just add bubbly, and we’ve got ourselves a proper celebration. Cheers to 10 years!

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From the Bride, Jerika… Harry and I met at Texas Tech University through a mutual friend. Although I had already heard of him, we did not get the chance to really get to know each other until my senior year of school. After we met officially, we hit it off! He had this genuine and confident demeanor that I was so intrigued by from the start. After school, Harry and I both ended up in Fort Worth, Texas (my hometown) and knew that it was the place we were going to start our family. After four years of dating, Harry surprised me and said we were going to dinner with friends, however we ended up in my parents’ backyard with a very romantic setting of glowing candles and white rose petals, and he proposed! It was perfect for us, and the best part was that he had both of our families and close friends there at my parents’ home ready to celebrate with us! There was champagne, toasts, dinner, dessert, and we had quite the night to remember.

When it came to planning our wedding, we knew we wanted something intimate and elegant yet still upscale. We also knew we wanted it to feel very personal to who we are as a couple and to incorporate unexpected details that were true to us. One of the most important things to us was our guests’ experience; we wanted to create a beautiful day not only for us, but also for our family and friends.

As a designer for a homebuilder, I spend much of my time on the details of beautiful spaces, so when it came to the planning process of our wedding, I really had my hand in every aspect and detail involved. With the help of my wedding planner, Ellen Westcott, and a whole list of amazing vendors, it truly became better than I could have imagined! It also could not have been possible without the help of my amazing mother, who helped me with every decision and was there with me through the whole journey. She is the absolute best person and partner in crime!

There were many things that helped make for a very special event, including great food, bar, entertainment, and company. However the details of the day really made it so special, including the welcome baskets that welcomed our guests to Camp Lucy, the urns at the ceremony that were from my mother, the acrylic table numbers at dinner that matched our custom crest, and the tulips placed at each plate at the head table. Plus all of the paper goods (which were so fun to design and had such a romantic feel!), including our custom watercolor crest which became the signature design of the day, our invitations with floral liners, and my FAVORITE – a watercolor on the napkins of our dog, Piper!

My bridesmaids and I started out the morning sipping on mimosas and hot tea in Camp Lucy’s’ Bridal Suite. It was such a relaxing morning leading up to the ceremony. We had stayed in the extremely elegant cabins on site at Camp Lucy since that Wednesday night leading up to the wedding, so it made that morning so much more anticipated. By the afternoon, I got changed into my dress. The gown was originally strapless, and we had a custom topper sewn onto the dress created by Nardos Design. It was everything I wanted – simple and classic yet with a feminine, couture look!

Later that evening, the ceremony started. The natural surroundings of the ceremony space of Sacred Oaks speak for themselves. It was like a fairy tale with the teak slatted chairs for the guests, the string quartet playing in the background, and the willowing branches with white delphinium florals hanging above us. Ceremony then flowed into cocktail hour on the terrace and lawn behind the pavilion of Sacred Oaks for guests to enjoy champagne, wine, the signature gin cocktail (which we named after our dog, Piper), and delicious hors d’oeuvres including petite black pepper biscuits with country ham and caramelized pear mustard, bacon wrapped quail breast drizzled with habanero nectar, and lump crab cakes with tarragon caper-aioli. The terrace and lawn felt like the perfect mix of elegant and natural with the green cypress and pops of pink floral in the vines hanging off the pavilion. It felt like a private Italian villa. Guests were then led to dinner under the sperry tent to the right of the lawn. After sunset, feasting on southern comfort cuisine, and sipping wine, everyone headed into the large pavilion where we danced and celebrated into the night!

There were so many memorable moments from the wedding, but I would have to say the moment that I keep going back to is our candlelit dinner under the sperry tent on the lawn. I wanted everyone to feel loved on and comfortable as if they were coming to our home for a lovely celebration. It was right after our ceremony, and not only was it absolutely STUNNING in the tent, but hearing the toasts and seeing all of the joy and laughter from our friends and family meant the world to both Harry and me. That was the moment I was looking most forward to, and that is the moment I will never forget! The night was such a perfect mixture of intimate and elegant.

It had been quite a journey for us during the planning process. Three months before the wedding, my dad passed away from a long fought battle with Leukemia. All of the details of planning this wedding melted away. My main focus became my family and the relationships with the people I love most. Everything gets put into perspective. Our family has always been extremely close, so my big brother walked me down the aisle. Something that was very special to me was the boutonniere my dad was supposed to wear. We had already ordered it, and I wanted to use it in a special way. So in the ceremony right next to the aisle, we had a table with a picture of my dad and me, a candle, and my dad’s Bible with the boutonniere he was to wear placed on top of the Bible. Although I knew my dad was already going to be with me on the day of, having those pieces there made me feel so comforted during the whole ceremony. I knew I wanted to do something for him in a special way, and this was perfect for me! I felt such a joy on the day of. It was truly unlike anything I can explain, the amount of pure joy and calmness I felt the entire day. I knew he was with me. My faith in the Lord got me through those three months, the day of, and ultimately every day since then.

One thing I learned during the whole planning process was the power of being present amidst the chaos, such as making an effort to be present at my bridal showers, my bachelorette party, and other events. I was reminded that people are the most important part of any season! For future bride, be present with your loved ones not only on the months and days leading up to your wedding, but also on the day of. Be present with your family, your best friends, and most importantly, your groom!

Photography: Jenna McElroy | Cinematography: Ryan Gerecke | Event Planning + Design: Westcott Weddings | Wedding Dress: Carol Hannah | Cake: Simon Lee Bakery | Stationery: The Inviting Pear | Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Hayley Paige | Hair + Makeup: Sarah Sallis | Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | Band: Ice House Band | Venue: Camp Lucy | Bridal Boutique: Lovely Bridal Shop | Bridesmaids' Dresses Boutique: Bella Bridesmaid | Catering + Floral Design: Whim Hospitality | Photo Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Photobooth: Oh Happy Day Booth | Rentals: Bee Lavish Vintage Rentals | Wedding Dress Overlay: Nardos Design, Dallas Texas

Chip and Joanna have captivated the nation during their soon-to-be five seasons of HGTV’s Fixer Upper, from their incredible home transformations to their completely endearing personalities. So a visit to Waco, Texas to see the duo’s Magnolia Market at the Silos – a marketplace where you can shop for home goods, play lawn games, unwind in an adorable garden, and nibble on one of Jo’s famous sweet treats – is on many a Fixer Upper fan’s bucket list! I recently took a long weekend trip down to Waco for the 3rd annual Silobration at Magnolia Market and can confirm – it lives up to every ounce of praise. That’s why when Cassie Conforti’s pics from her recent trip to Magnolia Market landed on the SMP Living desk, we knew we had to share. Get inspired by all the pretty at the Silos, plus Cassie shares her expert tips for making the most out of your visit!

We all love us some Chip and Jo, so you know I was excited to go on a girl’s trip to the Silo’s for their 3rd annual “Silobration” event. While we were there, we learned a few “Magnolia hacks” that we wanted to share with the world so that when YOU visit the Silos, you will be set to go!

Pack Light!

I visited with my mother and sister-in-law from Indiana, so we flew and only took a carry on bag, which meant we didn’t have much room to bring home ALL THE THINGS! (If you can drive, drive!) So I packed a pair of leggings, a t-shirt, some blush, and a toothbrush and called it a day, leaving lots of space for my shopping finds.

*If you find something amazing and it obviously won’t fit in your luggage, they have a FedEx shipping station in-store so you can send your purchases home. Yay! The lines do get long, though, so be prepared to wait.

Get a Cupcake (or a Cookie!)

The Silos Baking Co. is obviously one of the main parts of visiting the Silos, but the line can get long, especially when you are visiting on a weekend. Honestly I was just so happy to be at the Silos that the 15 minute wait was no big deal, but the nice thing is that the staff will only allow a certain number of people in the shop at once, so once you are in, it feels very intimate, and you can take your time looking and choosing from all the pastries. And once you have chosen, find a shady spot on the lawn (claim a striped beanbag if you can) and enjoy! The treats are amazing. My favorite was actually the “Classic Chocolate Chip” cookie – definitely one of the best I’ve ever had!

If the Bakery Line Is too Long…

There is a food truck in the back (in the form of an airstream) that has all of the same goodies as the bakery, but with a much shorter line.

Eat Lunch (and Dinner!) at the Silos

Joanna did a great job creating an experience where she wants you to stay a while. After your shopping is finished, there is a huge lawn area with games, lots of shade, and giant beanbags to sit, relax, and eat. While there were many temporary food trucks present for the Silobration, there are quite a few permanent ones at the Silos. My favorites were:

• Cheddar Box (Gourmet Grilled Cheese)
  Order THE BOSS. It’s gouda, bacon, and basil on sourdough. AMAZING!
• Common Grounds
  The iced coffee with the “special sauce” is crazy good!
• The Airstream Bakery
  Like I said, the Classic Chocolate Chip is amazing.

Even the Bathrooms Are Cute

And the cutest of all is the Bakery’s bathroom. If you watch Fixer Upper, you know there was pretty much a whole episode about that adorable bathroom, and it doesn’t disappoint.

If You Can Visit During the Silobration – Do It!

Anytime is a good time to visit the Silos and get some inspiration from our favorite girl, Jo, but the Silobration was really special. Every year in October, they celebrate the anniversary of opening the Silos, and 2017 was the third annual. For this event, they brought in 99 vendors all with the cutest stuff ever (think Joanna handpicking the best Etsy shops and bringing them to Waco, and that is the vendor lineup). Plus there was a two night concert event featuring Castro, Jon Foreman, and Johnnyswim, and an appearance by Chip and Jo themselves. Since we traveled pretty far, this made the two day trip worth it for sure!

Take the Free Trolley

There is a free trolley that picks up right outside of the Silos and does a trip around the downtown area of Waco. Once you are done at the Silos, get on the trolley and visit Spice Village. It’s a HUGE shopping area (air conditioned, which is important in Texas!) with tons of boutiques inside and wonderful food options. We ate at the Olive Branch for lunch, which prides itself on “homemade everything, even the salad dressing”. Our sandwiches on the homemade bread were incredible. There is also the Dr. Pepper Museum, Baylor University, and a food truck row down by the river all on the trolley route.

Sit in the Gardens

The Silos’ gardens are located in the back, near the Seed and Supply Shop, and they are pristine. When we were visiting, everything was perfectly in bloom, there were beautiful pumpkins (all muted whites, greens, and oranges) stacked everywhere we looked. There were a million places to stop for photo ops. It seemed people didn’t know it was back there because we had the place to ourselves.

Lastly, Don’t Forget to Visit Harp Co.

Fixer Upper fans, you know Clint Harp from the show. Well he has a small shop just around the corner from the Silos. Don’t forget to stop in and check out his beautiful wood working creations.

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Photography: Conforti Photography | Shop: Magnolia Market

Flower lovers, this one’s for you. Tucked inside this classic Dallas affair is what can best be described as floral heaven designed by The Wildflowers with mountains of blooms by Bows and Arrows, elegant calligraphy by The Left Handed Calligrapher and the prettiest images captured by Stephanie Brazzle. From a troop of precious flower girls to a 15-person a cappella gospel choir and a sea of flora, get lost in this timeless celebration at Arlington Hall at Oak Lawn Park, right here. And speaking of celebrations and awesome vendors, we’re celebrating 10 years of our Little Black Book today. Cheers to a fabulous decade of LBB! Now on with the show…

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Instead of an elaborate Pinterest board, Mary presented five adjectives that expressed her vision—among them “elegant,” “intimate,” “timeless,” “fun,” and “Glory to God.” As a designer, there is no better way to bring a new vision of what we are celebrating than with the inspiration of words, feelings, and the personal story of the couple. Getting to know Mary made creating a storied setting exceptionally easy. Immediately my mind went to Eau de Nil, Café Au Lait, toile patterns, garden stone, Songs and Sonnets of Springtime, curtains of silk, all coupled together for a delightfully intimate family feel. The ceremony was classical and heavenly, with Bows and Arrows taking cues from the surroundings to create a happy complement of greenery growing along the pillars. The infinite subtlety is what truly made it magical. With a resounding nod to Mary’s “Glory of God” vision, a 15-person a cappella gospel choir drew back the curtain to Mary’s entrance, singing “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah.”

Après-ceremony, guests were invited to walk along the gardens of the venue, Arlington Hall at Oak Lawn Park, with cocktails, charcuterie, and a trio of jazz musicians waiting for them at the end of the pathway. With the sound of ringing bells, guests were invited to dinner, greeted by tables of Mary’s family’s silver trays serving their escort cards. Upon entering the windowed dinner marquee, drapings of tea rose silk welcomed the guests into a cozy, intimate setting. After a treat of port poached pear salads, chicken saltimbocca with prosciutto, red wine-braised short rib, and heart-warming speeches, guests entered the Great Hall for dancing, donuts, and revelry. As the night grew darker, guests guided the bride and groom to their getaway car with lights of sparklers, signaling the end to a magical evening.

Photography: Stephanie Brazzle Photography | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Wedding Dress : Romona Keveza Legends | wedding cake: Panini Bakery | stationary: Yonder Design | Wedding Shoes : Manolo Blahnik | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Food Glorious Food | Hair and Makeup : Samantha Landis | Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher | LIGHTING: Absolute Entertainment | BAND: Absolute Entertainment | Grooms Attire: The Black Tux | Transportation: Premier Transportation | Wedding Venue: Arlington Hall at Oak Lawn Park | hotel: Crescent Hotel | tent: Mike Sandone Productions Inc | Design and Planning : The Wildflowers | Donuts : Hale Koa phineas Estate | Draping: Stage Works | Monogrammed Cookies: Bird Bakery | ceremony choir : Concord Church of Dallas Choir | grooms cake : cades cakes | rentals: Melody's Joy | rentals : Posh Couture Rentals | wedding dress boutique: Warren Barrón Bridal

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
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Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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Bows and Arrows

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As these two cuties exchanged their vows during their sweet, Southern wedding, a rainbow – yes, a RAINBOW! – lit up the sky above them. Clearly this is an exceptional couple, and Heather Benge Events planned an equally special outdoor ceremony bedecked with stunning arrangements by Everly Alaine Florals to celebrate their love and commitment. Candlelight Films and Nicole Berrett Photography were there to capture the magic of the day, rainbow and all – there’s more waiting for you in the Vault.

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From the Bride… Blake and I met in one of the most spectacular ways! I had just graduated college and had moved to the big city of Houston as a marketing manager. I wasn’t sure it was going to work out in Houston, but after making friends and getting more plugged in, I finally started warming up (figuratively and literally!) to the idea of Houston. Then, one night, I accepted an invitation to go to an Astros game with a group of friends from church. Unbeknownst to me, mid-way through the game, Blake somehow managed to maneuver his way into sitting next to me. We talked and talked, and I was immediately interested by how unguarded, funny, and effortless it was to talk to him. Out of the blue, just as we were soaking it all in, fireworks started going off in the stadium above us! It was so magical!

Two years later, he proposed on the beach, and we got to plan the wedding of our dreams together. Picking a favorite moment from the entire day is near impossible. If I had two chose just one, it would be the beautiful rainbow (yes, rainbow!) that appeared in the sky when Blake and I started saying our vows to each other. To us, it was one of the most remarkable signs of Jesus’s love for us and the commitment we were making to each other in marriage. Having both grown up with parents who divorced and then remarried, we were very skeptical and hesitant about having a big wedding. Eight parents can be a lot to handle! We were nervous it would surface some difficult memories, but instead Jesus chose to use it for His glory and showed us a beautiful sign of His love and support for us. The night was filled with laughter, silly dance moves, reconciliation, and love, and we wouldn’t change it for the world!

My biggest advice to any Bride is to be present in every moment! Planning a wedding can be time consuming and stressful, budgets can go off course, and things don’t always go as planned. Just embrace it all and find joy in every step of the process! Your marriage is the most important part at the end of the day, and the memories you make with your vendors, friends, family, and your fiancé will be the ones you remember and laugh about for a lifetime. Stress and worry are just not worth it!

Photography: Nicole Berrett Photography | Cinematography: Candlelight Films | Event Planning: Heather Benge Events | Floral Design: Everly Alaine Florals | Cake: Whisk Bakery | Catering: All Star Catering | Hair + Makeup: Lola Beauty | Calligraphy: Lauren Brod | DJ: J&A entertainment | Band: BRW Billy kennedy | Wedding Venue: The Farmhouse | China + Glassware Rentals: Swift + Company | Furniture Rentals: Love Birds Vintage Rental | Linen Rentals: Elegant Beginnings | Photo Booth: Monkey Booth

We know that finding the perfect venue can be a little tricky. Especially if you are torn between gorgeous outdoor party vs. luxe indoor celebration. But who says you can’t have it all? With sweet spots like the Elk Camp on Snowmass, that mountaintop ceremony you’ve always dreamed of with the convenience of an indoor party spot is there for the taking. Done and done.

We totally understand the need to celebrate your Biggest Moment amongst the fresh mountain air and awe-inspiring scenery… some of our fave weddings here at SMP are outdoor I do’s.  But if you’re also drawn to the ease of an indoor reception, well… we get that, too. Which is why we love the Elk Camp on Snowmass, a one-stop-shop for all your celebration needs with gorgeous grounds for tying the knot and an amazing space (for up to 250 guests!) that can handle your post-nuptial party – yummy food selections, a gondola ride and blazing fire included.

For more information on the Elk Camp on Snowmass, contact ASC Catering to talk all things wedding. Their fab team of wedding pros will be there to help you with everything from customizable menus to finding the right vendors to the details of planning. Contact them now to get the ball rolling on your dream day.

Photography: Blue Sky Wedding Photography | Ceremony Venue: Aspen Snowmass Weddings | Catering: ASC Catering

What does it take to transform Texas into a French-inspired garden? Scroll through this pretty gallery by Mint Photography, and you’ll find out. Bird Dog Wedding amped up the already European feel of Le San Michele by peppering terra cotta and soft blue accents with the organically styled blooms from Clementine Botanical Art on the rustic, farm-style tables dressed in La Tavola linens. The final look will transport you straight to Provence.

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From Mint Photography… Kaitlin and Barrett had family and friends traveling from all over to join them in celebrating their union. They loved the casual, French garden setting of Le San Michele and wanted to create an intimate dinner party for their guests. Every detail was beautifully thought out but with an informal feel. The palette was composed of nudes and soft pinks with added pops of terra cotta and pale blue. Florals and decor were soft and romantic and included organically styled blooms, flowering branches, and foliage from the talented Clementine Botanical Art. Pale blue line napkins, terra cotta name pieces, brass floral holders, and whimsical stationery and signage carried the design. The venue’s blue chairs added a touch of whimsy to the ceremony and dinner party. Following dinner, everyone danced the night away under the stars!

Photography: Mint Photography | Coordination: Bird Dog Wedding | Floral Design: Clementine Botanical Art | Wedding Dress: Katie May | Invitations: Smitten on Paper | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Catering: Royal Fig Catering | Makeup: Makenzi Laine | Hair: Andrea Juarez | Band: Royal Dukes Band | Venue: Le San Michele | Menswear: Indochino | Menswear: The Black Tux | Napkins: BBJ La Tavola | Photography Assistance: Natalie Huerta | Seating Chart: Bonne Nouvelle Design | Table Rentals: Premiere Events Group | Tent Rentals: Whim Events | Terracotta Escort Cards: Carolyn Jane

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Royal Dukes Band

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The only giveaway that this gorgeous spring-like celebration took place in the middle of January is the abundance of rich jewel tones. They add a gorgeous, cozy layer to this Austin affair designed by 36th Street Events along with florals by Stems. With images by Jen Dillender, set your sights on a wedding day blessed with perfect weather and the ultimate fairytale backdrop of the lawn of the Four Seasons.

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Our sweet, stylish bride, Nicole, envisioned a lush outdoor wedding, reminiscent of spring (despite taking place in the middle of January) and she trusted the talented team behind 36th Street Events to make it happen. Not only did they exceed her expectations with their beautiful design, but somehow we managed to avoid any signs of winter and experienced the perfect wedding weather! The clear reception tent was overflowing with greenery and bright berry-hued florals from Stems Floral Design and the added strings of lights gave the evening a starry atmosphere, well into the evening. Cody and Nicole, the bride and groom, were precious together and really soaked in what turned out to be a wonderful day. One of my favorite elements was the bride’s dreamy Naeem Khan dress, the vibrant floral decor, and the one-of-a-kind cake topper that said “To the Stars and Back” because the groom made a point to remind his bride often that the stars were further away than the moon. The entire event was fresh and romantic from beginning to end! 

Photography: Jen Dillender Photography | Videography: Oak & Cypress | Floral Design: Stems Floral Design + Event Styling | Stationary : Archer And Olive | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Four Seasons Austin | Make Up and Hair: Gertie Murray | Lighting: Ilios | Ceremony Music: Arundel Ensemble | Hotel: Four Seasons Austin | Bridal Gown: Naeem Khan | Bridal Shoes: Christian Louboutin | Bride's Hair Accessory: Twigs & Honey | Event Design & Coordination: 36th Street Events | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Music: Greenbelt DJ | Photography - Assistance: Michelle Boyd Photography | Pyrotechnics: Big Dog Pyro | Tent & Rentals: Whim Hospitality

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

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36th Street Events

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There is usually a part of every wedding that stands out to me, my own little personal favorite detail or pic. But this wedding right here… I just can’t decide. The OMG florals or the stationery and personalized crest with the cutest pups ever?! They are both just TOO GOOD to pick just one. Lucky for me, I don’t have to decide, both gems are in our gallery of gorgeous pics thanks to Stephanie Brazzle and that is where I’ll be, staring wide eyed and soaking it all up! Do tell; what’s your favorite?