A Sustainable Summer Citrus Backyard Wedding

This sunny citrus-themed Texas wedding tugs on our heartstrings.  It’s filled with sustainable choices for a low impact on Mother Earth (and an adorable pup to boot!) Grit + Gold brought the couple’s wildest wedding dreams to life, and bright and cheery floral installations by Moss Floral Design filled the day with a touch of romantic fun.  The love and joy of the day radiate in beautiful imagery by Ellen Ashton Photography.  Visit the full gallery for endless inspiration.







From Grit + GoldWhen Victoria and Patrick met their freshman year at the University of Colorado, they would start as friends, then neighbored in the dorm halls (he was 3 doors down), then began dating and five years later he would propose. Although they had rooted in Boulder and had a great love for Colorado, Victoria knew she would be coming home to Texas for her wedding day. Her family home in Lucas was that place, her happy place. Two things that were a must for the day were zero waste (she is in Environmental Policy) and lots of color.  It was important to the couple that we make a small impact on Mother Earth, so sustainable choices were made throughout the planning from recycled seed invites to being paper/plastic free, and even ending the night with a flower petal cannon shoot as a natural sub for confetti. As for design, the couple married their love for traveling with their love of the South. Nothing could have been more stunning than a sailcloth Sperry tent surrounded by the beautiful landscape and towering trees of their ranch. Victoria wanted to ensure that her guests felt right at home and for the day to be pressure free so the processional was removed, no uniform dresses and suits to be purchased, no wedding party requirements.





Instead, she opted for a simple intimate, 30-person ceremony below a huge shade tree that she played under as a child. Moreover, all of those childhood memories included her sister Meredith so it only seemed fitting that Meredith would stand in and officiate their union. It was about family, about those cherished times, and to set an environment for laughter and love. Victoria started the day getting ready in the same room she grew up in… she shared stories about running barefoot through the creek behind the property and the family legacy of her great grandmother, Mary Kay Ash. Comments from the planner, Lottie Fowler of Grit + Gold… We always ask our clients for sentimental heirloom pieces that we might incorporate into the flat lays for the wedding day. Gena, the sweetest MOB you could find, gave us a little diamond bumblebee pin… it belonged to Victoria’s great-grandmother. Gena proceeded to tell me the story of the significance of the bumblebee… She said, “The bumblebee defies all odds, aerodynamically it shouldn’t be able to fly. Its body is too big for its wings but you see… the bumblebee doesn’t know that when it takes flight.” That is the story behind their family legacy with the bumblebee being the icon that Mary Kay chose. Later when capturing photos of Victoria’s bridals we realized that tiny little bees were hiding in her bouquet blooms.





Our color palette was citrus/wildflower inspired with hues of yellow, tangerine, pinks, and greens. We incorporated fruits whether fresh or dried, herbs, and lots of texture as seen in the acacia wood chargers, bamboo chandeliers, and rattan lounge furniture. The design intention was to lend toward relaxation and nature with clay potted plants, a cocktail bar set in the herb garden that mom, Gena tends and toils in, and an Italian rustic-inspired dinner and libations. Just because the wedding party requirements were tossed out did not mean the bride and groom’s most important people were not by their side. Victoria’s bridal party selected playful/cheery colors and mixed patterns for their dresses, with even the moms joining in the fun. While Patrick’s best guys wore a mix of suits from navy to grey. Once the ceremony concluded, another 70 guests arrived by shuttle. Immediately they were greeted by cocktails and music around the pool then led to dinner as the Texas sun set. The guests danced and mingled the night away under a soft glowing tent. Words cannot describe the incredible beauty of the day. Fun Fact: The couple blended both their last names to create a new one. No longer Tadewald or Sherman, now united and bonded as the Tash’s.





Photography: Ellen Ashton Photography | Event Planning: Grit & Gold Event Co. | Floral Design: Moss Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Grace Loves Lace | cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Invitations: Sal Studios | Catering: Reata Alpine | DJ: String And Sound | Men's Attire: Kens Man Shop | Beauty: Wendy Zerrudo | Rentals: Party! Dallas | Rentals: Whim Hospitality