When Branching Out Floral & Event Design and Sweet Pea Events team up with a couple who has extremely gorgeous taste, and put Helmutwalker Photography behind a well-loved camera, what we have on our hands is a whole lot of perfection. A wedding that couldn’t be any more gorgeous. And an entire gallery worthy of a day or two of admiration!
And because we just couldn’t help but share, Lynn Films has a great highlight film we’re loving…
[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/43021474 601 338]
Click here to see the full image gallery!
Ryan and I have not lived in the same city since we began dating during the last few months of our high school senior year in Fort Worth, TX. After high school graduation, we went to different colleges and after college, we pursued individual dreams in different East Coast cities. After eight years in a long distance relationship, Ryan proposed in beautiful Spring Lake, NJ (our East Coast weekend getaway) and we made the decision to return to our roots in Fort Worth.
Because friends and family from all over the country would be traveling to Texas (some for the first time!) for our wedding, it was important for us to 1) introduce them to Fort Worth and 2) share our story as a couple in a fun and entertaining way.
Ryan was such a sport about letting me chase my Style Me Pretty wedding dream. My bridesmaids wore blush dresses of their choosing and carried smaller versions of my bouquet. Created by Dallas-based Branching Out, the blush, green and white creations were filled with hydrangea, peony, ranuncula and rose blooms. The groomsmen and ushers looked so sharp in their classic tuxes with a single ranuncula as a boutonniere. One of my favorite details was my tutu-clad flower girl and the floral wand she carried as she walked down the aisle.
Following the ceremony at the architecturally-significant Marty Leonard Community Chapel, we kicked off the reception at City Club of Fort Worth with bridal party introductions and a dance-off, setting the high-energy tone for the rest of the evening. The reception decor’s heavy use of mercury glass and emphasis on candlelight worked so well with City Club’s mirrored columns and floor-to-ceiling windows.
As much as I love glitz and glam, I wanted Ryan to feel equally represented in City Club’s ballroom so I made sure to add as many personalized details as possible. We walked into the reception holding a UFC Championship belt Ryan’s groomsmen had presented us with after the ceremony (Ryan is a huge fan!). Guests sat at tables named after cities that played a significant role in our lives or relationship (New York was my home and second love for three years; Washington, D.C. is where Ryan went to law school). Guests were served a pink lemonade, orange juice, Red Bull and vodka-infused signature cocktail Ryan created and named “Jersey Shore.” Linen napkins embroidered with our monogram were placed at the head table. In addition to the four-tier bridal confection, Colleen’s Cakes masterfully recreated a UFC octagon with our initials for the groom’s cake. We sampled our wedding cake using a “I do, Me too” hand stamped cake fork set and served the cake with a “Love is sweet, Carrie & Ryan 5.19.12” hand stamped cake server. Our grandparents and parents wedding pictures were displayed to add a familial touch.
After dinner, cake-cutting and a touching toast, Ryan’s Jersey boys showed everyone how to tear up the dance floor. No one stopped dancing until it was time to release oversized white balloons during our classic downtown Fort Worth getaway – a horse and carriage.
It was so nice to share our wedding day with 100 family and friends from different stages of our relationship and we’re so glad that Helmutwalker Photography and Lynn Films captured the best night of our lives so perfectly.
Wedding Photography: Helmutwalker Photography / Videographer: Lynn Films / Wedding Coordination: Sweet Pea Events / Wedding Stationary: Paper Planet / Ceremony: Marty Leonard Community Chapel / Floral: Branching Out Floral & Event Design / Ceremony Trio: Bows & Strings, 817-534-5240 / Reception: City Club of Fort Worth / DJ: Specialty Sound / Cake: Colleen’s Cakes / Cake Fork Set and Server: Jessica N Designs / Getaway Car: Brazos Carriage / Transportation: Choice Luxury Limo / Wedding Gown: Wtoo, Natalia via Bliss Bridal Salon / Wedding Veil: Becky Fowler, 972-986-8067 / Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka, Lacie / Bridal Jewelry: Eisenberg vintage jewelry via Montgomery Street Antique Mall / Hair and Make-Up: Maitee Miles / Bridesmaid Dresses: Ali Ro, Asos, BHLDN, Rebecca Taylor and Yoox / Bridesmaid Jewelry: Bauble Bar / Flowergirl Tutu, Leotard and Headband: Tutus Chic Boutique / Groom and Groomsmen Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse