Over the past year, we’ve had a front-row seat as our dear blogger bride Devon Rachel planned her big day. From proposal to dress shopping, engagement shoot and every moment in between, we’ve grown to feel so a part of her planning journey and believe it or not, the big reveal is finally here. It’s a day for the (modern) storybooks, and thanks to the work of Jana Williams and Candlelight Films we get an inside look. Read on for the day in sweet Devon’s words!
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From Devon Rachel…Devon from DevonRachel.com here with some rather exciting news: I said I Do! Chandler and I tied the knot. It was such an honor to take you along on the journey of planning as the first Style Me Pretty Blogger Bride. And after a whirlwind of newlywed bliss, I’m overjoyed to bring you a piece of our big day.
With our wedding, we wanted to mix traditional and non-traditional elements. I fell in love with the Joule Hotel because it fit my taste for modern yet livable décor with an LA vibe. I felt like the hotel suited us; we’re part Texas and a dash of California. The ceremony was held on the roof of the Joule Hotel where two floral archways complete with ombre rose petals lined the aisle. I purposely didn’t take a peek of the décor (and you know I wanted to!) before and I’m so glad I didn’t. I was overwhelmed with joy when I walked down the aisle and was in awe of how great Bella Flora did with the flowers.
Remember my “How to Choose Wedding Flowers” post? Well, our ceremony and reception were decked in beautiful blooms. I wanted guests to feel like they walked into a secret garden – and I think we achieved that! My bouquet was a very whimsical mix of gorgeous pink, peach, and white flowers. My sweet bridesmaids looked unbelievable in their different Amsale gowns. I chose three different colors as well – I really wanted to be unique with the styling and I was so pleased!
For my bridal look, I wanted to feel like a modern day Brigitte Bardot and I feel like we achieved that with my dress, makeup and hair. My first dress (flashback to that first Dress Shopping post) is by Oscar de la Renta and it was not originally a one-shoulder gown. I had them remove one side to really showcase the bow and it was so perfect for me. Can we talk about that huge bow? It makes my heart pitter-patter. I teamed up with Blushington and Dry Bar to do mine, my bridesmaids and both mother’s hair and makeup. It was such a fun time having both teams in our hotel room. They made everyone look and feel so amazing, just like in our Bachelorette Celebration post!
For the reception, we chose to bring in my love of black and white stripes to the menus and chairs at the head table. Floral runners lined each table next to candles and beautiful gold-rimmed glassware. Since I was a little girl, I dreamt of having a vintage Rolls Royce to take us away and a black and white checkerboard dance floor. I was so unbelievably happy to see both of these dreams come to life. And the flowers adorning the back of the car were just cherries on top of an amazing night.
Dancing has always and will always be important to us, so we wanted our guests to have plenty of room and great music to dance to. I have to say, our band, Limelight, completely blew us away. They brought the house down and we danced all night! Everyone had a great time and that’s what we wanted. Right outside the ceremony, mirrored tables housed my non-traditional guestbook: Vogue Weddings. Guests signed on each beautiful artistic page of the gorgeous coffee table book. We now display the book in our home and I love taking a moment to look through. We are incredibly fortunate to have such amazing love stories to look up to in our family. I wanted to showcase and celebrate the love over the years, so we placed black and white photos of our grandparents and parents’ wedding days on a mirrored table outside the ceremony.
I cannot explain the feeling of overwhelming of love I felt walking down the aisle. I walked arm in arm with my sweet father as I watched my husband to be cry tears of joy. I did not expect him to cry! I truly believe Chandler and I are soul mates and I am so thankful for him. In that moment, we made the most important commitment of our lives: to each other. It was so special! I thank everyone involved for making it happen.
I hope you enjoyed these moments from our wedding! It was truly the best day of my life and I am overjoyed to share it with all of you.
xoxo, Devon Rachel
Photography: Jana Williams Photography | Videographer: Candlelight Films | Floral Design: Bella Flora of Dallas | Wedding Dress: Oscar De La Renta | Cake: Dallas Affaires Cakes | Bride's Shoes: Ryan Seacrest Distinction | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | Make Up: Blushington | Hair: Drybar | Calligraphy: Blue Eye Brown Eye | Lighting: Absolute Lighting | Band: Limelight | Groomsmen's Attire: Men's Wearhouse | Ceremony Music: Serenata Strings | Bride's Jewelry: Givenchy | Bridesmaid's Flats: Yosi Samra | Bridesmaids Jewelry: Francesca's Collections | Ceremony And Recepetion Venue: The Joule | Come Away With Me Sign: Southern Fried Paper | Cookies: The Whisk | Cotton Candy Bar: Fluffpop | Dance Floor: DFW Dance Floor | Decor And Rentals: Bella Flora of Dallas | Departure Car: Romantic Remembrances | Flower Girl Baskets: BHLDN | Getting Ready Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar | Invitation And Day Of Stationary: Blue Eye Brown Eye | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Mother Of Bride Dress: Teri Jon | Photo Strips: Randal Stout Entertainment | Planning: Bella Flora of Dallas | Planning/Styling: Devon Rachel | Reception Gown: Nardos Imam | Rentals: Top Tier Staffing And Events | Rentals: Ducky Bob's | Save The Date Stationary: Chips And Salsa Designs | Sketch Entertainment: The Original Butt Sketch | Toasting Glasses, Cake Knife And Cutter: BHLDN