Texas Weddings

If pretty and whimsical are your go-to design inspirations for your wedding, you’re in for quite the treat this morning. We’re pretty sure it doesn’t get any more fun than this super cute, travel themed wedding by Tucker Images. The gray and white chevron runners, bold bridesmaid dresses and colorful florals all add up to one fabulous, Dallas affair. See even more right here in the full gallery!

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From Tucker Images… Josh is a pilot and Kaylee is a flight attendant. What would be more perfect than a travel-themed wedding?! For their seating arrangement, the bride opted out of numbers and had a ticket to paradise for each guest that coordinated with a table cheerfully decorated around an oversized postcard flanked in perfect hues of pink, teal and yellow. The bright and joyful colors of the centerpieces were grounded by a bold, gray, chevron stripe runner. It was so chic and fabulous. The theme was driven home at the end of the night when instead of bubbles, fireworks or seeds, the guests sent off the happy couple by throwing handmade paper airplanes. It was the most cheerful wedding I’ve ever shot, and from the colors to the cutest bridal party you’ve ever seen, it was truly original and perfectly executed. Hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed shooting it!

Wedding Photography: Tucker Images / Wedding Venue: The Room on Main in Dallas, Texas / Decor + Floral Design Decor: DIY by the Bride + Bridesmaids / Wedding Cakes: Delicious Cakes Dallas / Wedding Invitations: Diana Weir of Invited Design / Wedding Dress: David Tutera / Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden / Hair: Shayla Walker of Hairbox Studio / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff

Rise and shine, lovelies!  We’re mixing things up a bit this week and bringing our usual Wedding Wednesday lovely to a brand new day – Tuesday!  Yep – that means seven gorgeous weddings are coming your way, each chock-full of pretty, pretty inspiration and enough magical moments to make your hearts sing.  So, cozy on up and prepare for an entire day of inspiration – and don’t forget to check out those galleries where even more lovely awaits!

Up first in our pretty parade is a rustic meets whimsical Dallas affair that is all about brightening our Tuesday morning with a sophisticated urban setting, a stunning Mr. and Mrs. and a plethora of darling DIY details that are all kinds of amazing.  Think fab paper garland, a cute-as-can-be cake topper and an awesome pom pom crown.  The ever-fabulous Kathryn Krueger Photography snapped up every last magical detail, including those beautiful blooms by Blue Lotus and that breathtaking lighting by Astounding Sounds. See it all here.

From the Bride… Before I was even engaged, I found my reception venue. I had worked on several catalog shoots at Paul Morgan’s studio down by Fair Park and was immediately taken with the space — the lofted ceilings, original hardwood floors and floor-to-ceiling windows. I remember thinking at the time, “This would be a great reception venue for a wedding.” Then, when I got engaged, I got in touch with the event coordinator there — the dates matched, and the numbers worked perfectly!

One thing we splurged on that often gets overlooked in the event planning process is lighting. Mood and ambiance topped our list of priorities. I worked with our lighting designer to source countless strands of cafe lights that we hung from wall to wall, creating a canopy of light over the tables. Next, I suspended several clusters of Edison bulbs from the ceiling to create different focal points within the space. Finally, canopies of colorful cafe lights lit the walkway leading up to the reception site. It was dreamy! To add a touch of color to the otherwise neutral-colored tables, I strung several hundred paper flower garlands and placed them on the backs of each chair. I also made napkin rings for each place setting using silk ribbon and scraps of metallic leather cut into starbursts to mimic the shooting stars painted on the backdrop of the paper moon set. One of my favorite things was creating the cake topper. For months, I collected several dozen antler sheds to be used as centerpieces on the tables. So when it came time to brainstorm cake ideas, all I could think about was deer. I found a pair of vintage, celluloid deer figurines, cut off one set of antlers to create my doe and painted them in gold-leaf.

At the end of the wedding, we had everyone throw thousands of colorful pom pom balls (of all sizes and colors) as we ran to the car to the Beatles’ “Penny Lane” playing in the background. I even donned a pom pom crown that I made for myself the night before. Any significance, you ask? None other than to pay homage to my lifelong obsession with pom pom balls! If I could capture my wedding in one word, it would be “sweet,” in every sense of the word.

Wedding Photography: Kathryn Krueger Photography / Ceremony: Watermark Community Church in Dallas, Texas / Reception: Three Three Three First Avenue in Dallas, Texas / Event Planning: Elizabeth Gonzalez of After Yes Weddings / Floral Design: Blue Lotus / Officiant: Scott Kedersha of Watermark Community Church / Wedding Cinematography: Lashley Media / Catering: Two Sisters Catering / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Whole Foods / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride / DJ + Lighting: Colby Logan of Astounding Sounds / Photo Booth Photography: Stacey Potter Jemison / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via Terry Costa / Bride’s Shoes: Vintage Salvatore Ferragamo / Bride’s Earrings: Kate Spade / Rings: Anschar Diamonds / Other Jewelry: Provided by Grandmother + Mother of Bride / Hair: Sara of Osgood-O’Neil / Makeup: Nichole of Osgood-O’Neil

There are some weddings that just feel so, so right. Where every piece of the puzzle fits just right into a wonderful masterpiece that is a treasure all its own. Chelsea Davis Photography has given us the sweetest of eye candy with every gorgeous image of this little doozy and I would like a full helping, please. The Grand Hotel is THE absolute perfect setting for this DIY-infused, vintage wedding that wouldn’t be complete without the Allure Bridals lace-to-the-max kind of beautiful gown. See every bit of wonderful right here in our gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… My husband is in the Air Force, and we are currently living in Germany. We had a small ceremony before moving overseas, so this wedding was the second for us, but we wanted it to be a big shebang Texas wedding where we could really celebrate with family and friends. My husband and I are old souls, and I love all things vintage and glamorous: black and white photographs, lace, antiques with a French market feel, old books and unusual calligraphy. Chestnut Square Historic Village provided the perfect vintage backdrop for the ceremony, complete with a fully-decorated bridal house and quaint gardens. For the reception venue, I chose The Grand Hotel in McKinney for its class, elegance and stature. The tin ceilings, crystal chandeliers and rustic brick of the ballroom set the scene for an alluring and dazzling reception.

Since we currently live in Landstuhl, Germany, a great deal of the wedding was planned across an ocean. The wedding colors, a warm charcoal and dove gray, were chosen to give the wedding party a neutral palette while allowing the blush peachy pink to be the pop of color in the floral arrangements. Even though I was on a budget, with the help of family, friends, and especially my father, I was able to make all of these dreams a reality. I am a detail-obsessed perfectionist, and I had a vision of an array of glamorous details for both the ceremony and reception, so in order to stay within budget and still achieve all of the details, I created as much of the wedding items as I could. I even made the flower girl’s dress with help from my fairy god-mother, a fellow expatriate, using fabric from Germany for the bodice and twenty-three yards of tulle from the states. I also hand-calligraphed our invitations and place cards, while my father fashioned a frame out of an old tin ceiling tile. I deconstructed old books to create old-world chair and pew decorations and custom-designed all of our printed invitations, thank you cards, programs and signage. Old spools of thread magically became place card holders, and tree branches plucked from our backyard adorned with Swarovski crystals and hand-strung flowers were placed in tall glass vases for our centerpieces. We used everything we could find, down to my mothers fabrics, cigar boxes, and family heirloom photographs. My brother kindly donated his old typewriter and book collection for reception decor.

Each and every detail that could be dressed up, I tried to make it so. If you have a vision but not the budget, think outside the box because you can almost always DIY anything. My best advice: have fun with it. Make it YOU.

Wedding Photography: Chelsea Davis Photography / Ceremony: Chestnut Square Historic Village Chapel in McKinney, Texas / Reception: The Grand Hotel in McKinney, Texas / Event Planning + Design: Shawna Darsden of Rick’s Chophouse at The Grand Hotel / Floral Design: Market Street Florist in Allen / Catering: Melanie of Rick’s Chophouse (melanie@rickschophouse.com) / Wedding Cake: The Cake Guys Dallas / Wedding Invitations: DIY by the Bride with Wedding Paper Divas / Programs, Escort Cards, Table Numbers + Menus: DIY by the Bride / DJ + Photo Booth: Mark Brown of Complete, Music Video Photo / Centerpieces: DIY by the Bride with Materials from Hobby Lobby, Garden Ridge + Antique Stores / Bride and Groom Chair Signs: DIY by the Bride / Chapel Pew Decor: DIY by the Bride / Chapel Sign: DIY by the Bride + Her Father / Wedding Dress: Allure Bridals via Hope’s Bridal Shop / Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden / Bride’s Accessories: Cinderella’s Pumpkin, DIY + Family Heirlooms / Hair + Makeup: April Ruiz of Pure Colour / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Da Vinci / Men’s Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear

Sometimes careers can move you to places all around the world, and for this cute couple that place was Guam. But when the time came to say “I Do,” they returned to home sweet Dallas home to celebrate with family and friends at the Hickory Street Annex. And by “celebrate” I mean hosting an unbelievably gorgeous wedding with beautiful blooms by BLUE LOTUS, amazing pops of happy yellow and tasty sweets by Tart Bakery. There are plenty of photos by Lynn Michelle Photography to swoon over in the full gallery here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… Chris and I got engaged in May 2011 — two weeks before Chris’ job moved us 8,000 miles away from friends and family to the tiny Pacific island of Guam. At first, we thought it might be best to simply fly our immediate families to the island and have a small, simple wedding on the beach. After all, it is a tropical island with gorgeous beaches and fantastic sunsets… What could be more beautiful? It wasn’t until a few months later, when the homesickness started to kick in, that we began think a wedding back in Texas with all our family and friends was exactly what we needed. And it was.

Chris and I wanted our wedding to be filled with personal touches of the things that mean the most to us. Living on the other side of the world from your friends and family makes you realize what matters most, and it was our goal to let our all of our guests know how much we truly love and appreciate each one of them. The entire day was spent with the people that mean the most to us. It was intimate. It was relaxed. It was home.

Wedding Photography: Lynn Michelle Photography / Wedding Venue: Hickory Street Annex in Dallas, Texas / Floral Design: BLUE LOTUS / Wedding Cake + Cheesecake Bites: Tart Bakery / Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander

Meet the new poster wedding for the Dallas Arboretum.  Between the supremely stylish bridal party dawning LuLu’s Bridal Boutique and Al’s Formal Wear, combined with polished floral arrangements by Dr. Delphinium Designs + Events, you couldn’t ask for a more! Oh, but there is more from A Guy & A Girl Weddings in the full gallery here.

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From A Guy & A Girl Weddings… Tim and Brittany Dowd had their charming outdoor ceremony and reception at The Dallas Arboretum this summer during the Dale Chihuly blown glass exhibit. The bride got her hair and makeup done at the Michael Flores Salon at Neiman Marcus while the groomsmen went to a nearby salon to get their eyebrows waxed and presentable! Brittany’s dress was purchased at the Bridal Boutique in Lewisville, and her shoes were adorned with feather and jewel clips found on Etsy. Some of the groomsmen were proudly wearing Air Force and Navy dress uniforms. The decorations for the reception included candles wrapped in lace and ribbon, surrounded by succulents and bouquets of pink and yellow pastel peonies and succulents. When the sun went down, the bride and groom shared their first dance under the romantic canopy of outdoor lights strung from tree to tree. They left the venue in a shower of rose petals and cheers to enjoy their honeymoon in the Caribbean.

Wedding Photography: A Guy & A Girl Weddings / Wedding Venue: Dallas Arboretum in Dallas, Texas / Event Management: Sheila Leggett of Dallas Arboretum / Floral + Event Design: Dr. Delphinium Designs + Events / Officiant: Denny Burris (A Family Friend of the Bride) / Catering: Gil’s Elegant Catering / Wedding + Groom’s Cake: Delicious Cakes / Wedding Invitations: Kelli Murray Art / Music: Aaron Lehmann of A Very Special Day / Lighting: A Very Special Day / Wedding Dress: Allure Couture via Bridal Boutique Lewisville / Bride’s Shoes: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoe Clips: Nylora / Bride’s Hair + Makeup: AnnaBeth Horton of Michael Flores Salon at Neiman Marcus Dallas — Downtown / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LuLu’s Bridal Boutique / Groomsmen’s Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear

I’ve just now finished reading The Great Gatsby (somehow I missed it in high school) and ever since, I’ve been daydreaming about Daisy, Tom, and Gatsby and the night parties rich with champagne and howling laughter that raged on and on through the romantic summer evenings of West Egg. This inspiration shoot from Urban Magnolia Weddings and Events has quite perfectly brought to life all of my daydreams in each and every image from Brittany Nicole Photography. I’ve never seen such beautiful photos (read pg. 98 in your books, folks) as in our gallery, right here.

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From Brittany Nicole Photography… I had dreamed about photographing my own stylized shoot, and with my growing love of all things 1920’s, I thought the idea of a Gatsby-styled wedding would make for a stylized shoot that was the bee’s knees! I quickly contacted Kristine Baker of Urban Magnolia Weddings and Events to collaborate on all the unique details. As vendors, we are always asked for ideas, concepts and inspiration, but what does this look like when it all comes together for your big day? Well, Kristine and I set out to show you just what a group of talented vendors can do! From the “spiffy” table linens, to a “swanky” cake design, to Dallas’ own 1920’s “hotsy-totsy” band, each piece was thoughtfully put together, well, to feel a bit like having your own modern-day speakeasy!

Photography: Brittany Nicole Photography / Photo Shoot Venue: Hickory Street Annex in Dallas, Texas / Event Coordination + Table Design: Urban Magnolia Weddings and Events / Floral Design: Ashlilium / Wedding Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets / Invitations, Chair Signs + Menus: U Lucky Girl / Band: Matt Tolentino / Chargers, Chairs, Seat Cushions, Table Linen, Dinner Plates, Champagne Flutes + Pink Wine Glass: Posh Couture Rentals / Vintage Camera, Tea Cups, Tea Cup Plates, Salad Plates, Colored Glass Votives + Assorted Picture Frames: Rent My Dust / Wooden Cocktail Table: Shag Carpet Rentals / Wedding Dress: Claire Pettibone via Stanley Korshak / Jewelry: Crown Jewelers / Makeup: Lindsay Hartley

There are a few special things that make me truly, truly happy and I know I’m not shocking anyone by saying that my number one is weddings. But weddings between two darling lovelies that happen to have their nuptials at Ashton Gardens which is just the absolute epitome of beautiful church ceremony locations? Well, let’s just say my heart is at its fullest for this little number from the always charming photography duo, Sara & Rocky. Find even more of this glorious wedding in our gallery right here. 

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… Soft, sweet, elegant and vintage was the look I was going for. I always imagined myself getting married outside, but when Joe and I settled on June 2 as our wedding date, we realized an outdoor wedding would be REALLY HOT! After searching for the perfect venue, we stumbled upon Ashton Gardens! Immediately we knew it was the place for us — it was a place that felt like you were outdoors when you were inside! The large windows that encapsulate the chapel and reception area provided plenty of natural light for the wedding, as well as beautiful views of the small forest and gardens that surrounded the building. To create the soft and sweet feel of the wedding I knew I wanted cheerful colors, so I chose a palette of dusty rose, sage, yellow and peach. The colors looked great against the ivory decorations in the ballroom. Some objects that I used to try to create a vintage feel were antique picture frames, mercury glass vases, lace doilies and old books! I believe our wedding reflected the joy and beauty of love between two people that is centered on Christ! I’m so thankful for Ashton Gardens and the innate purity and peace that the venue carries. Thanks to Sara & Rocky Photography for capturing the happiest day of my life!

Wedding Photography: Sara & Rocky / Wedding Venue: Ashton Gardens in Dallas, Texas / Floral Design: Lilium Floral Design / Wedding Cinematography: Elle Films / Wedding Cake: Ruth Robbins of Tastefully Yours Cakes / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Bride’s Shoes: Glint via Nordstrom / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Lasting Bridal Couture of Addison

There are a few, select weddings where you can look through the images and just know that those people had fun. And I mean the F-U-N kind of fun, complete with limbo and crazy dance moves and definitely a lot of laughter. Such is the case with this wedding from Allison Davis Photography at The Westin Galleria Dallas that is overflowing with smiles and the most beautiful kind of joy a little blogger like me could ask for. See every moment in our gallery right here.

And you can’t miss this video from Elixir Entertainment capturing the entire beautiful day.

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Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Allison Davis Photography… Vanessa and Andy were married in July at the Westin Galleria Dallas. It is such a beautiful and modern wedding venue space in Dallas. These two have been dating for such a long time that their families were kind of already blended together, and it was a beautiful celebration for all of them. They had a beautifully-designed ballroom, and I loved their wedding cake by the Cake Guys! It mimicked Vanessa’s wedding dress perfectly. Vanessa’s dad gave an amazing speech to kick off the wedding reception — I love it when people take the opportunity to say the things they feel on these special occasions. They also had the entertaining Inside Out Band perform great music to keep the party going all night long. Andy was a hit on the dance floor with all of his great dance moves. They left to a rose petal toss exit on their way out to their honeymoon in Hawaii. 

Wedding Photography: Allison Davis Photography / Wedding Venue: The Westin Galleria Dallas in Dallas, Texas / Wedding Planning: Crystal Frasier Weddings / Floral Design, Linens + Decor: Fete des Fleurs / Wedding Cinematography: Elixir Entertainment / Officiant: Rabbi David Gruber / Bakery: The Cake Guys / Calligraphy: The Butler’s Pantry / Ceremony Music: Versa Strings / Band: Inside Out Band / Favors: Tiff’s Treats / Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca via Mockingbird Bridal Boutique / Hair + Makeup: JJ & Micaela / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Stanley Korshak / Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Oh, hello gorgeousness. Rarely do I yearn for a re-do of my own wedding but in this case I’m thinking “yes, please!”. With spot on Texas charm and wildly beautiful floral arrangements by Posh Floral Designs, it just doesn’t get much better than this Dallas fête by Allison Davis Photography. I absolutely adore the striking Trinity River Audubon Center in all of its rustic wonder and eye catching charisma of the beautiful bridal party. I think you need to say “yes, please” to viewing the full gallery here {trust me}.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Allison Davis Photography… Lindsay and Russell were married in May in a beautiful outdoor wedding ceremony at the Trinity River Audubon Center, which is just south of Dallas. The based their entire wedding ceremony around the symbol of the wedding ring and even had their ceremony in the middle of a circle with their family and friends surrounding them. It was a beautiful and touching ceremony filled with laughter and joy. Lindsay had a vision for a wildflower wedding, and thanks to Angie of Posh Floral Designs and Kelly & Meaghan of Sweet Pea Events, her vision came to life. The Trinity River Audubon Center is a perfect location for a wildflower-inspired wedding. The landscape was beautiful, and we had the most wonderful light for their wedding day. I loved all of the special touches they incorporated into their wedding reception design, from their sign-in quilt to their his-and-hers sock monkeys and board game tables. It was a lovely reception. The couple left their reception on a vintage fire truck, which was Russell’s surprise from Lindsay.

Wedding Photography: Allison Davis Photography / Wedding Venue: Trinity River Audubon Center in Dallas, Texas / Wedding Planning: Sweet Pea Events / Floral Design: Posh Floral Designs / Catering: Celebration Catering / Wedding Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets / Wedding Invitations: Paper & Chocolate / Musicians: Serenata Strings / DJ: Mark Ridlen of DJ Deluxe Productions / Vintage Rentals: Period Charm Rentals / Photo Booth: PictureDust / Transportation: Choice Luxury Limo / Vintage Fire Truck: Romantic Remembrances / Wedding Dress: Alyne by Rossini

What garden party is complete without streamers, yellow flowers and gorgeous sunshine? The Aldredge House is a stunning and stately manor with a gorgeous lawn, and the design and execution of this wedding seem effortless. The bride’s beautifully peaceful and content demeanor just goes to show how right marrying the love of her life must feel – congrats to this wonderful couple, and many thanks to Crosswhite Photography for sharing the full gallery of photos right here!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Crosswhite Photography… Kaysi and Robbie had a beautiful garden wedding at the Aldredge House in the historic Swiss Avenue District of Dallas. Their gray and yellow color theme was effortless played out through the linens, flowers and custom paper products. The bride even used milk glass vases that had belonged to her grandmother to add a personal touch.

Wedding Photography: Crosswhite Photography / Wedding Venue: Aldredge House in Dallas, Texas / Floral Design: Cocktails & Caviar / Wedding Coordination: Aldredge House, Meagan Chumlea of Food Glorious Food + Brynn Parrott / Catering: Food Glorious Food / Wedding Cake: Frosted Art / Music: Michael Cone / Transportation: Dallas Classic Chevys / Wedding Dress: Mikaella Bridal via Bridal Collections by Stella / Hair + Makeup: Cat Smith of Knockout Beauty

 There is something truly magical about arboretums. They always make the best backdrop for weddings, and this lovely Dallas Arboretum wedding is no different! The homemade wooden table numbers and bistro lighting make the reception look perfectly intimate and perfectly lovely. Many thanks to Ben Q. Photography for capturing all the wonderful moments, especially the couple’s first look — It is the sweetest! Check out the full gallery of photos right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… I was definitely going for a rustic/vintage look in a beautiful garden. We incorporated love birds in the wedding decor as well. My dad always called me a love bird and Freddie used that nickname for me while we were dating. The table numbers were DIY. We also made our own wedding programs and seating chart on a vintage window pane.

From Ben Q. Photography… Jennifer and Freddie got married in an outdoor garden at the Dallas Arboretum. The ceremony was sweet, and the couple walked out to the music of a harpist. After the ceremony, they used the Camp House at the arboretum for their indoor/outdoor reception. Tables with purple linens were all along the lawn under strings of cafe lights. Each table had a wooden table number with colorful floral centerpieces. The dance floor was tented and draped with purple and fuchsia uplights. Cakes were cut indoors in the library area of the Camp House. Jennifer and Freddie were such a sweet and stylish couple. We loved that they combined a bit of vintage and rustic in their tablescapes and decor with some glam in the draped tent and rich purple hues.

Wedding Photography: Ben Q. Photography / Wedding Venue: Dallas Arboretum in Dallas, Texas / Floral Design + Decor: DiFiori / Wedding Cakes: Delicious Cakes / DJ + Lighting: Miguel Gonzalez of Astounding Sounds / Wedding Dress: Watters via Emma’s Bridal Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: RSVP / Jewelry: Helzberg Diamonds

Happy Friday, lovelies! We’re closing out another fabulous week with this super pretty e-session from Jessica Garmon. The gorgeous light that’s cast upon this adorable couple is nothing less of spectacular and we are eating up every single inch. Oh, and we’re not shy about the fact that we can’t wait to see their upcoming wedding in Austin! Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From Jessica Garmon… Khristy and Ty met through her brother, who was also Ty’s best friend. It only took a couple of get-togethers before they were attached at the hip. She’s a nurse and he’s a TV producer, so their lives are pretty crazy, but they always find time for each other. She’s thoughtful and just thinks Ty is the most hilarious guy she’s ever met. And of course he loves to make her laugh. When they asked me to capture their engagement pictures, I knew that I wanted to use their favorite city, Dallas, as the backdrop. We shot this session at sunset with just film. I styled the session with their help, and we had a total blast. Their upcoming wedding in Austin should be as equally stunning as these photographs.

Photography + Styling: Jessica Garmon / Location: Dallas, Texas

Soft florals, vintage touches and a laid back lake atmosphere …what more could a girl ask for other than a beautiful wedding by Ebony Peoples Events & Design. Major props to the DIY floral arrangements because oh baby, I have never seen baby’s breath look so chic! There are endless elements of style and awe-inspiring photo’s by Tucker Images in the full gallery here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Ebony Peoples Events & Design… I had the honor of assisting Emily and Zach in planning their BIG day. They wanted their wedding day to incorporate a fun, laid-back atmosphere with lots of vintage eye candy and decor. Vows were exchanged during a romantic outdoor ceremony at Winfrey Point, which is located on White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed yummy hors d’oeuvres while playing fun yard games, including horseshoes and yard golf . After cocktail hour, guests were invited into the beautifully-adorned reception area that was full of vintage decor, mason jars, teapots, burlap and soft florals such as baby’s breath and succulents! After partaking in a delicious meal, guest nibbled on sweet cake bites, cookies and pie from the vintage dessert display. After a night of fun, laughter and dancing, Emily and Zach were escorted out to a sparkler sendoff to begin their honeymoon adventures. 

Wedding Photography: Tucker Images / Wedding Venue: Winfrey Point on White Rock Lake in Dallas, Texas / Event Planning: Ebony Peoples Events & Design / Floral Design: DIY by the Bride, Friends + Family / Catering: Reagan Snowden (A Wolfgang Puck Chef) / Wedding Cakes: Panini Bakery / Wedding Invitations: Hunt & Peck / Vintage Rentals: Rent My Dust / Reception Rentals: Celebration Event Rental / Wedding Dress: James Clifford / Bride’s Shoes: Guess / Hair: Pure Vida Salon

If you are a lover of insanely gorgeous e-sessions (and I know you are!), then you are about to go C.R.A.Z.Y. for this stunning shoot captured by June Bug Company Photography.  Trust me – one look at the lovely below and you’ll be smitten to the extreme.  From that gorgeous set-up in Harry Myers Park (A living room? Genius.) to the positively glowing bride and groom to each and every cheery yellow hue, this is a day of non-stop lovely… and the world’s cutest puppy is there, too.  Click here for more.

Click here for the FULL engagement session!

From June Bug Company Photography… When Jana, Ryan and I were thinking of what style and theme to go with for their engagement shoot, we wanted something different. So we thought of having a living room set up in the city and in the woods. With their style and personality, the shoot went beautifully and is stunning!

Photography: June Bug Company Photography / Location: Downtown Dallas, Texas + Harry Myers Park in Rockwall, Texas / Rentals: Vintage Couch: Rent My Dust

When I read a story of young, sweet love, this is exactly how I picture the beauty and sincerity in their romance. Each gorgeous photograph of this spectacular fete from Ivy Weddings is dripping with the glory of golden hour that has every photographer drooling. Somehow – this adorable couple and their palpable love might have something to do with it – every moment is caught with the softness and glimmer of the setting Texas sun, no matter what surrounding.  From the most classic of bouquets from Crump’s Garden to the high-five at the altar with the pastor, this wedding is undoubtedly personal and exquisitely unique. Click here for the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… John and I met at our best friend’s wedding. John was the best man, and I was the maid of honor. After a fun weekend, we returned to Dallas and started dating. A little more than a year later, John proposed to me in the perfect way, under the “Century Tree” at Texas A&M University where we both attended school. Since then, I’ve been dreaming of a traditional and “shabby chic” themed wedding filled with lace and hydrangeas. We are so thankful for the Lord’s perfect timing and that He has blessed us with this marriage. Our wedding day was an amazing celebration with our closest family and friends. John and I now live in Texas, where I work as a pediatric speech pathologist and John works as an IT auditor. We couldn’t be more happy to start our lives together!

Wedding Photography: Ivy Weddings / Ceremony: Custer Road United Methodist Church in Plano, Texas / Reception + Catering: Courtyard Dallas Allen in Allen, Texas / Floral Design: Crump’s Garden Inc. / Officiant: Tim Morrison / Wedding Cakes: DiviniDee Cakes / DJ: Michael Hatch / Lighting Assistant: Melissa Shook / Wedding Dress: Blue by Enzoani via Bridal Boutique Lewisville / Bride’s Shoes: Steve Madden / Bride’s Belt: Emici Bridal / Hair + Makeup: Adrienne Schoech / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Sung via Lasting Bridal Couture / Men’s Suits: Jos. A. Bank

The beautiful beachy setting, the punchy pastels and the decorative table design make a full blown matrimonial masterpiece! I am obsessed with just about everything in this photo shoot. I love how the bride and groom change from wedding wear to a beach casual look that gives the shoot an entirely different dimension. The full gallery of photos is a must, and bundles of thanks goes to Ben Q. Photography for sharing this work of art with us!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

From Ben Q. Photography… So there is this lake right by our house that we call our little piece of heaven. At a certain time, the sun hits the water and sand and it kind of looks like California. The gorgeous natural light of that locale inspired this shoot. We wanted to show the world that north Texas could look really cool and beachy too! Our color palette was “punchy pastels,” so we used coral, peach, lime green and tangerine. Even the groom wore a bold-colored suit jacket! We played up the beach scene by adding sea shells dyed to fit the color scheme and a rustic wood table that resembled driftwood. The styled shoot begins with a sweet ceremony beneath an arbor of wood. Then the two sit at their stylish tablescape complete with mini ruffled cakes at each setting. Instead of a traditional reception, they decide to take a dip in the water to celebrate after some yummy grapefruit sorbet.

Photography: Ben Q. Photography / Photo Shoot Location: Grand Prairie, Texas / Event Coordination: After Yes Weddings / Floral Design: Bows + Arrows / Wedding Cakes: Layered Bake Shop / Stationery + Paper Goods: Southern Fried Paper / Table Rental: Magic Moments / Chair Rentals: Ducky-Bob’s / Wedding Dress: Rosa Clara / Groom’s Suit: Zara / Hair + Makeup: Danny Howard / Assistant: Wendy Elizabeth Rodriguez / Model Bride: Sophia Lee / Model Groom: Mihail Dimitrov

We’re no strangers to gorgeous Hill Country weddings around these parts. In fact, we can’t get enough of them! They’re charming and oh-so-pretty without a fussy detail in sight. That’s why we’re going gaga over this next wedding, sent into us by Claire McCormack Photography. It’s everything you’ve come to expect from a country wedding and then some! We’re loving the bright pops of color and how each bridesmaid got to rock the dress of her choice. Click here for even more!

From Leslie Washburne, the Mother of the Bride… What happens when our daughter and her intended live in Cairo, Egypt, the groom’s family lives in Canada, and my husband and I have never formally met the bridegroom or his family? Add to the mix guests coming in from all over the world and a large extended family. You plan a wedding week! Our daughter Sarah was adamant that her wedding needed to be immediate family only (meaning parents and siblings) and very close friends. She wanted everyone to get to know each other in a  relaxed, unhurried setting without all the hubbub generated by that large extended family I just mentioned. But what to do about aunts, uncles, cousins and other friends who want to celebrate with the newly-married couple and join in all the fun. Our solution evolved through many long-distance phone calls and emails. We decided to have a small, intimate garden wedding midweek, just twenty in all, in Fredericksburg Texas, which is where we live. The venue was easy, since I own a small inn, Hoffman Haus. It was a beautiful day, amazingly mild considering it was mid-July in Texas, with blue skies and singing birds. Maggie Gillespie created an incredible bower by the pond in our garden where Sarah and Adam were married, then we moved back inside to the Great Hall, where we enjoyed a delicious four course lunch and toasted the happy couple.

Our next party, for all those who weren’t at the wedding, was a beautiful garden party, held in my mother’s backyard in Dallas the following Saturday. What fun it was planning that! Sarah gave me complete artistic license to do as I pleased, and I was incredibly fortunate to hire Kate and Katey with Stems of Dallas who turned my mother’s home and garden into a riot of flowers. It was stunning! Tim Thobe (of City Café) and I had the best time coming up with a buffet menu that was as old-fashioned as they come. Many of the recipes borrowed from a grandmother or aunt, and they were all southern classics that had guests coming back for second and third helpings. The music was light and jazzy, and the evening was kept cool by huge fans and a small breeze. It was a sweet evening, where all our family and friends could get to know Adam and his charming family. Planning a wedding long-distance and planning two events in two different cities might sound daunting, but with my fabulous assistant (and dear friend) Courtney, it all came together seamlessly. Having Luis of Carmona Weddings help us “day of” was a godsend too, he was amazing. Being the MOB for two parties instead of one was a special treat, and I will always treasure those memories!

Fredericksburg Wedding:
Wedding Photography: Claire McCormack Photography / Wedding Venue: Hoffman Haus in Fredericksburg, Texas / Floral Design: Maggie Gillespie Designs / Catering: My Own Chef / Wedding Invitations: Fredericksburg Paper Goods / Rentals: Class A Rentals / Wedding Dress: J.Crew

Dallas Garden Party:
Photography: Claire McCormack Photography / Venue: Highland Park, The Home of the Bride’ Grandmother in Dallas, Texas / Floral Design: Stems of Dallas / Day-of Coordination: Carmona Weddings / Catering: City Café / Wedding Cake: Dallas Affaires Cake Company / Music: Stoney / Rentals: Ducky-Bob’s

The word “swoon” comes to mind the second I see the images from Jess Barfield Photography of this bride’s radiant smile and her to.die.for custom wedding dress. Not to mention the amazing florals by the oh so lovely Stems of Dallas and the thoughtful details throughout this stunning day.  The bride and groom wanted their guests to leave the reception thinking, “that felt like Kara and Douglas,” and they achieved just that in an incredibly genuine and romantic way. This wedding is everything a little girl could dream for, complete with glamour, grace and a horse-drawn carriage to end the elegant evening. See the full gallery here.

From the Bride… Yes, I was completely that girl who dreamed about my wedding from a young age and studied the magazines and blogs long before I met my Prince Charming. I really didn’t have a perfect vision when we got engaged; the most important thing was that people left the wedding saying “that felt like Kara and Douglas.” Bit by bit, everything came together and those ideas turned to reality. The reception location was in an old Dallas high-rise with a beautiful view of the downtown lights. Inside, it was filled with rich dark wood and high ceilings with chandeliers. I always wanted the wedding to be inviting and never “stuffy.” The centerpieces were an eclectic mix of antique silver trays and decanters with beautiful spring flowers.

It was really great to be able to work closely with all of my vendors (floral, invitations, photography, etc.) to have my vision fully come to life.  My dress was one of my favorite pieces of the wedding. I was blessed to be able to work with some of the most talented and wonderful people through the planning process. The sorority sister of my maid of honor is an incredibly talented seamstress and designer. I was able to work with her to have a dress made just for me, as well as “going away dress” that was equally as wonderful. Jessy even made silk flowers for my cake to match the ones on my dress. While the cake was a beautiful white cake somewhat resembling my wedding dress, we went with Douglas’ favorite -mini red velvet whoopee pies for his groom’s “cake.” My shoes were a gift from my mother-in-law and were my something blue. Part of my gift to my bridesmaids were bracelets that my mom and I made from vintage brooches. All of the little details came together perfectly. People were on the dance floor all night.  We were surrounded by family and friends we love so much, and it was a wonderful night we will never forget.

Wedding Photography: Jess Barfield Photography / Ceremony: Northwest Bible Church in Dallas, Texas / Reception: The Dallas Petroleum Club in Dallas, Texas / Floral Design: Stems of Dallas / Wedding Invitations: Katie Pinson of Half Orange Photography / Wedding Dress + Getaway Dress: Custom-Made by Jessy Ailene / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair & Makeup: Natalia Issa

This adorable couple wanted something totally different and entirely meaningful for their engagement session and decided on a 50’s inspired photo session that encompassed all the things they love. They infused bits and pieces of their loved ones into the shoot like the groom to be’s grandfather’s briefcase and hat and the bride to be’s grandmother’s engagement ring and wedding band. We totally LOVE that! Matthew Moore Photography snapped up all the pretty and there’s so much more right here in the full gallery!

From the Bride-to-Be… Wes and I were engaged in New York City in December of 2011. We have been dating for four years. One of the most important things to us in regards to our engagement shoot was to have pictures that were different from the norm. To accomplish that, we knew we would need an amazing photographer. I don’t think either of us realized just how lucky we were to have Matthew Moore Photography as our wedding photographers until our engagement shoot. They went above and beyond to bring the idea I had in my head to real life. Wes’ last name is Crabbe. Mine is Cook, thus making us the Cook-Crabbe wedding. We have decided to fully embrace this, as it gives us further solidification that we are, in fact, meant for each other.

One of my favorite hobbies is cooking, and one of Wes’ favorite hobbies is eating (again, proof that we are meant for each other), so we wanted that to be a part of our engagement shoot. While we did a few pictures around my townhome, the majority of our shoot was at a mid-century modern home in Dallas where we acted like a couple from the ’50s. I played a housewife who had been working diligently in the kitchen all day preparing a meal fit for an ideal husband, and Wes was a businessman who had just spent a long day at the office, and was now ready to come home and unwind with his wife. In the photographs, there are many nods to our relatives who we both have loved dearly, but unfortunately have lost. They include my Nana’s china and Wes’ papa’s hat and briefcase. I am also wearing my Nana’s engagement and wedding band in the photographs set in the ’50s. Although these are small details that will go unnoticed to many, they are incredibly special details for us. Our photographers did a beautiful job capturing the nature of our relationship, as I truly think you can feel our love and bond radiating from each photograph. 

Photography: Matthew + Katie of Matthew Moore Photography / Location: A For-Sale Home in Dallas, Texas, Courtesy of Ed Murchison of Virginia Cook Realtors / Attire: Banana Republic (Mad Men Collection) / Hair + Makeup: Katie Moore

Take a Bride with a penchant for color and a Groom who falls more on the side of classic, then throw in their combined love for all things music and the result is colorful elegance with a to-die-for playlist and, of course, records for favors. Shot by Taylor Lord Photography with uber beautiful flora by Bows and Arrows and all sorts of lovely details planned by After Yes, this is Dallas meets New orleans meets heaven in wedding form. See it all right here!

From the Bride… Justin and I met in the fall of 2010, and our first few dates were one music venue after another. Until date number four, which started local in Dallas, but then we hopped on a plane to Austin to check out more music. This was the weekend that we knew. Many shows and festivals later, Justin knew it was time. By fall 2011, he planned us a surprise trip to New Orleans, my favorite city in the world. He popped the question in Jackson Square, in front of the cathedral. (This is my favorite part) And, as I said ‘Yes!’ for the first of at least seven times, the bells clocked noon. Surreal moment.

We knew we wanted to get married in Dallas, where we met and currently call home. While Deacon Tim prepared us for our marriage, Elizabeth, our planner, gathered us a power team of vendors. We are still talking about how lucky we are to have found Taylor, our photographer — not just for her gorgeous work, but also because you can’t help but smile when she’s around! For the reception, we envisioned a party. Something that combined my eclectic, colorful style and Justin’s clean white, streamlined taste (this will be a forever compromise in our household!). I wanted lights everywhere, and I want to believe Justin had just as much fun making the candles as I did! He was an amazing help – I would come up with the ideas (mostly from stalking SMP), and together we’d work on our projects. The venue, Dallas Heritage Village at Old City Park, had a beautiful Main Street area with historic buildings surrounding a red brick road with a view of downtown Dallas in the background. Elizabeth knew of a vendor who strung white lights over the street. The café lights made all the difference and were a perfect finishing touch. To tie in our love of live music we needed to have a band – the Walton Stout Band – who even took the time to learn a song (‘Beautiful Morning Light’ by the Fruit Bats) from the first album that Justin gave me for our first dance, and learned how to do the second line – a New Orleans tradition. Justin and I made our wedding favors with CDs that looked like records (along with the actual 45s we used for our save the dates) and a playlist full of songs from shows we had seen together.

On the day of the wedding, the girls and I had the ultimate girls’ day, but I was still somehow nervous. It wasn’t until Justin and I had our first look late that afternoon that my heart was calm again (that really was a long time for us to be apart!). The ceremony was perfect (I’m biased) and the band kept us dancing at the reception through the night — they didn’t even make fun of me when I had to throw my bouquet three times because of bad aim! At the close of the reception, the horns led us out to “When the Saints Go Marching In” through a sparkler exit — I mean, what a great way to end such an incredible night!

Wedding Photography: Taylor Lord Photography / Ceremony: Christ the King Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas / Reception: Dallas Heritage Village in Dallas, Texas / Wedding Planning: After Yes / Floral Design: Bows and Arrows / Wedding Cinematography: Legacy Video Solutions / Catering: Two Sisters Catering / Wedding Cake: Dallas Affaires Cake Co. / Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher / Band: The Walton Stout Band / Photo Booth: Premiere Booth / Lighting: Astounding Sounds / Wedding Dress: BHLDN / Bride’s Veil: Vera Wang / Bride’s Earrings: Kate Spade / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale / Shoes: J.Crew