To me, this celebration is the ultimate “big wedding vs. elopement” compromise. With just four months to plan, the bride and groom opted for a sweet, simple, nearest-and-dearest-only morning “I do” at the charming Dallas Arboretum with Tracy Enoch on hand to capture. The Southern Table provided the loose, organic bouquets of the bride’s wedding dreams, and as for the full gallery of pretty? We’re only just getting started.
From The Bride…Jason and I met in June of 2008 while working together in Dallas, TX. I was home from college and took a summer job at the store where Jason was employed. I was immediately infatuated with him. He’s the most charming, hilarious, and lovable person I’ve ever known. A couple years later, I graduated, and we finally started dating! A little over 3 and a half years of dating later, Jason proposed on Christmas Eve 2014. We had been talking about marriage for over a year, but I was still completely surprised!
As soon as the whirlwind of engagement died down a little, I was overwhelmed by the idea of planning our wedding. We highly considered a destination elopement, but we finally determined that Dallas was the city that brought us together and we couldn’t imagine exchanging vows anywhere else. We still wanted the intimate feeling of an elopement, so when I found The Poetry Garden at the Dallas Arboretum, I knew it was the perfect venue for our ceremony.
A little less than 4 months after our engagement, on April 17, 2015, Jason and I were married! The flowers were in full bloom and the weather was especially gorgeous. We didn’t see each other the day before the wedding, but we chose to do a first look in order to calm some nerves and have a moment alone before the big event. At the first look, we exchanged cards, and I gifted Jason his grandfather’s watch. His grandfather passed away last year, and I knew that Jason would appreciate having a reminder of him at our wedding.
Jason’s uncle officiated our Friday morning ceremony as our eleven guests watched on. A string-duo serenaded us in the secret garden while my dad walked me down the aisle. Jason and I shed a few tears of joy as we exchanged our vows- It was the first time I’d ever seen him cry! I’ll never forget that moment. After our ceremony we all celebrated with mimosas, brunch, and our favorite strawberries ’n cream cake.
After we got engaged, Jason assured me that his only request was for me to have the wedding of my dreams. My vision for the wedding was elegant, organic, romance. Due to our short timeline and minimal budget, I decided to DIY our wedding invitations. With a background in art, I chose to watercolor our wedding stationary. I wanted to allude to the garden setting without being too feminine. I tore the paper edges for an organic touch and lined the envelopes with a subtle metallic paper. I addressed our envelopes using watercolor paint and a brush. Finally, vintage stamps completed the look I was going for.
My 3 bridesmaids wore long, flowing, neutral-toned dresses and carried beautiful organic bouquets in a subtle blush ombre. I wore a modern (rented!) Nha Khanh gown with flat embellished sandals and my mom’s diamond earrings. Delicate ribbon cascaded down from my luxurious bouquet of peonies, ranunculus, and garden roses. Our amazing florist, Maxine Owens of The Southern Table, completely mastered my floral vision. I swear everything she touches is magic!
Photography was of upmost importance to me since I work in the photo industry as a fashion art director. When I met Tracy Enoch, I knew she was the perfect fit for us. Tracy shoots primarily film photography, and I’m so in love with the natural light and nostalgic feel she was able to capture in our images. Best of all, her personality is just as lovely as her art!
Our wedding was even better than we could have imagined. We feel so blessed that it went off without a hitch, and we are so glad it didn’t rain as the weather report predicted! We are thankful for all of our family, friends, and vendors who made it so perfect. It was an unforgettable day.
Photography: Tracy Enoch Photography | Floral Design: Max Owens Design | Wedding Dress: Rent The Runway | Cakes: Breadwinners Inwood Village | Ceremony: Dallas Arboretum | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Hair And Makeup: Q Makeup & Hair Artistry | Ceremony Music: European Ensemble Strings | Brunch Reception: Breadwinners Inwood Village | Cake Topper: BHLDN | Envelope Liner Paper: The Paper Source | Velvet Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Vintage Stamps: VerdeStudio