Texas Weddings

Ever wonder what you get when you combine sweet vintage details, a gorgeous rustic vibe and a stunning Texas duo?  Well, lovelies, the answer to your question is right here in this beyond beautiful Frisco Heritage Center wedding, which is the proud owner of all three.  It’s beautiful blooms from Dirt meets a lacy Maggie Sottero masterpiece meets a ceremony at the oldest church in the city and it was all captured amazingly by Jeremy & Kristin Photography.  Ready for a day of pure lovely? Join me in the gallery for more.

From the Bride… Our ceremony took place at the original Lebanon Baptist Church in Frisco, Texas which happens to be the oldest church in the city. Because of the location the wedding theme came pretty easy. We called it rustic chic with a vintage touch. I designed our invitations from scratch and had them printed with a local printer for an extra personal touch. My dress was perfect and nothing like what Alex thought I’d walk down the aisle in. It screamed vintage elegance from head to toe with all of the lace and delicate details. Alex and his groomsmen wore chocolate brown suits made by Haggar Clothing Co.

The ceremony was very intimate with a string duet playing and the sun glowing in from the stained glass windows. We had these amazing birch branch arrangements at the alter with flowers billowing over the burlap wrapped plant pots. We incorporated wooden elements throughout the wedding actually, everywhere from the fabric cover of our guest book with branch pens to our oversized polished tree stump as our cake stand. Our reception continued the theme with moss table runners that were draped over muslin tablecloths with cut tree slices and a ton of mercury glass candles. We even made tabletop confetti using vintage sheet music punched into lovebirds. Our cakes were designed by Alex and I because we wanted cakes that weren’t typical. My cake was layered with an ombré tiered Madegascar vanilla with a hint of orange zest and had the most amazing flowers with brooch centers. The groom’s cake was very masculine and square and was eight layers tall with Andes Mint and chocolate ganache icing. Our favors were little handmade honey jars filled with local honey with lids covered in several vintage fabrics.

As I look back at that day that seemed like a million years in the making, I simply grin as it fills me with so many happy thoughts and memories. From our first dance to our family cutting loose on the dance floor. It was a day filled with so many tiny details and lots of love that I’m sure we will enjoy for a lifetime. Our biggest challenge that day was trying to actually setup all the little details in one day’s time while still being a bride and primping. Of course, more important than the decorations was having all of the people Alex and I love the most there to celebrate with us. We are forever grateful to our friends, family and wedding party for keeping us sane and for helping.

Wedding Photography: Jeremy & Kristin Photography / Venue: Frisco Heritage Center in Frisco, Texas / Floral Design: Dirt / Caterer: All in Good Taste / Wedding Cake: Red Raspberry Cakes / DJ: Krucial Entertainment / Design: DIY by the Bride + Groom / Favors: Round Rock Honey /  Classic Car: Romantic Remembrances / Ceremony Music: Serenata Strings / Cake Topper: Baumbirdy / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero “Karena Royale” via Lulu’s Bridal / Bride’s Accessories: Aparicio + MillielCARO + Krumpets Designs + Toni Federici “Lili Claire” / Cufflinks: Jon Turner  / Hair: Erin Board

I’m a die hard Nichols fan. This wedding captured my heart and since then it’s been one pretty gem right after the other from their lens; culminating in a wedding with so much goodness, I kind of don’t know where to look first. Maybe the cute dog? Oh that cute dog. But then there’s all those pretty blooms by The Nouveau Romantics that are pure white perfection and a dessert table so scrumptious, I’m ready to dive in head first. All in all, this has a little something for every one of your loves whether that be fury friends, yummy treats or gorgeous, garden details. See it all right here.

From Liz of The Nouveau Romantics... Sean and Stephanie set out to create a classic yet rustic evening that showcased their new home turf of Texas to their East Coast friends and family. From a mariachi band and cacti during the cocktail hour, to their venue– Barr Mansion’s– certified organic rating, the couple was adamant about incorporating as many local touches to their guest’s experience.

Using the venue’s verdant gardens and rustic ballroom we mixed the bride’s love of classic style in black and white, with groom’s more rustic and colorful sensibilities into all the design elements, from the elegant dahlia and snowberry-filled chuppah that used the bride’s family’s tallit, to the oak leaf “canopies” in the reception, to the hanging garden of escort cards, to a menu that was entirely locally-sourced. The dessert bar was a mix of the couple’s favorite candy and East Coast desserts including “Black & White Yodels” and sea salt caramels from Liddabit Sweets in Brooklyn, New York.

Wedding Photography: The Nichols / Wedding Venue + Day of Coordination + Cake: Barr Mansion in Austin, Texas / Wedding Planning and Design + Floral Design  + Stationery: The Nouveau Romantics / Dessert Table: Walton’s Fancy and Staple, Sugarfina, Miette (Meringues), Liddabit (Caramels)  / Music: Matchmaker Band , Anthony “Tony” Johnson, Mariachi Jalisco + Barton Strings / Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design / Jelly Shots: LM Cocktail Catering / Photobooth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Shannon Briggs-Hack of Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair + Kimberley Eddleton / Makeup: Nisa Nicole

When your best friend happens to be the uber-talented photog Nicole Chatham, choosing a wedding photographer is as easy as 1, 2, 3.  Especially when you’ve been admiring her work since you took a photography class together at the age of 15.  That’s what we here at SMP call “meant to be.”  And when your wedding day is as gorgeous as this pretty, pretty bride’s is, you can bet she’ll capture every last moment to absolute perfection – from the lavender hued florals from Wild Bunches to your Camp Lucy wonderland.  See it all right here.

From the Bride… Before Cory and I got engaged, we both knew we wanted to get married in the Hill Country. Once we got engaged, I contacted my best friend, Nicole Chatham, who also happened to be a wedding photographer in the New Braunfels area. When I asked her where we should get married, her answer was automatically Camp Lucy. As soon as we looked at the Camp Lucy website, we knew we had found our wedding venue. Its rustic elegance was exactly what we were looking for. I fell in love the interiors of Camp Lucy’s chapel. The wood carvings and stone wall details give you goose bumps as you walk in. It is so romantic. The event hall could not have been more perfect for us, with its wood floors, rustic candelabras, and the massive stone fireplace. It was both comfortable and elegant at the same time. Camp Lucy’s facilities were so beautiful I didn’t want to over decorate it and distract from its own beauty. Adding simple lanterns, mason jars, lace, and purple hydrangeas (my favorite flower) added the touch of rustic country to our exquisite setting. My mother, a vintage china enthusiast, loved collected all the different dishes. I wanted each table setting to be different, from the plates, flatware, and even coffee mugs. Each table also had a different vintage napkins and lace dollies.

Our bouquet and boutonnieres from Wild Bunches were exactly what I had envisioned! I wanted full soft bouquets that had a hill country feel. My colors were champagne and mauve. I loved how my bridal bouquet was so soft and romantic while my bridesmaid’s bouquets complemented mine with a punch of purple. We decided to have the boutonniere’s be more organic and use sage and lavender from the Texas hill country.

Our cakes by Classic Cakes by Lori were by far our biggest hit at the wedding. Not only were they stunning, they tasted amazing! There was not a crumb left of either cake. They did an outstanding job recreating Texas A&M’s Kyle Field for Cory’s groom’s cake. The details were incredibly to scale, from the field, to the scoreboard with a real picture on it of the 38-30 A&M win over UT in the championship game.

When it came to picking a photographer, there was no question who to choose. Nicole Chatham has been one of my best friends since I was 15. We met in our first photography class back in high school and I have been a fan of her work ever since. The only problem was that I wanted her to be one of my bridesmaids as well, but I also couldn’t imagine anyone else capturing my special day. At first she only wanted to be my bridesmaid, but after I explained to her how much I valued her work she agreed to be not only my bridesmaid, but also my photographer. We signed Abbey Herderson on as a second photographer to take pictures during the ceremony and to assist with the bridesmaid pictures so Nicole could stand by my side.

I am so glad Nicole agreed to hold these dual roles because I could not be more satisfied and in love with my pictures. Nicole’s style is soft and romantic. I still cannot believe that it is Cory and I in her pictures, because they are such beautiful images. Overall, it was the perfect hill country wedding that I had always envisioned!

Wedding Photography: Nicole Chatham / Second Shooter: Abbey Henderson / Wedding Venue: Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, Texas / Wedding Coordinator: Christina from The Wedding Warriors / Floral Design: Wild Bunches / Catering: Creek Road Cafe / Wedding Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori / Entertainment: Altared Weddings / Hair +  Makeup: Sara from Cara Dulce Makeup

A breathtaking Houston affair, a drop-dead gorgeous BHLDN gown and a whole host of beautiful blooms from Floral Events (here’s looking at you, sweet, sweet bouquet)… is your heart pounding yet?  If not, then one look at the stunning images captured by Stefano Choi Photography and you won’t be able to escape it.  Because this is the kind of wedding that makes you sit back (in complete and total awe, mind you) and spend hours soaking it all in.  It’s just that good.  Oh, and the 100-year-old Crystal Ballroom? Awesome. Click here for so much more and stay tuned for a beautiful film from Sculpting With Time Productions below.

From Stefano Choi Photography… A classic elegant wedding and the bride DIY’ed the invitations, programs, guest seats all based off of a travel theme because they love to travel. She also wore a beautiful dress, veil and shoes by BHLDN. She chose the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Crystal Ballroom for the ceremony because they are both nearing their 100 year anniversaries and she thought it would be a great fit for her theme. The old school charm in these locations were a perfect fit for this. the images were captured on digital, 35mm & Medium Format film.

Photography: Stefano Choi Photography / Floral Design: Floral Events / Ceremony Venue: Church Holy Rosary / Reception Venue: The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Lofts / Cinematography: Sculpting With Time Productions / Music: “Remember When” by Us & Our Daughters via The Music Bed / Cake: Who Made The Cake! / Wedding Dress, Veil & Shoes: BHLDN / Reception Band: Doppelgänger / Cocktail Hour Musicians: Houston String Quartet / Ceremony Musicians: Chamber Music Unlimited / Late Night Snack: Tacos-A-Go-Go / Hair & Makeup: Your Beautiful Face / Linen & Tableware Rental: Party Cloths / Printer: Workhorse Printmakers / Wedding Invitations & Programs: DIY by The Bride

Any wedding that includes cozy warm blankets and the roasting of s’mores is most definitely a wedding I’m going to love.  That’s just the way it goes.  And when that wedding is held at the amazing Red Corral Ranch and features an entire gallery of lovely, lovely images captured by Bloom Photography?  That’s an instant obsession.  Right from the get-go.  Because when my favorite season (Fall) joins forces with sweet rustic details, it’s a feeling that can barely be put into words.  Join me in the gallery for sooooo much more.

From Bloom Photography… Though early November in Texas doesn’t always scream ‘Fall’ in its temperatures, we were in for a special treat at the old glory ranch this gorgeous day. Leigh and Casey had the most picturesque weather possible and they simply thought of everything! Their fun twist on ball jars and fireflies for the ‘Save the Date’ and the touches of plum color made the whole event feel positively cozy. Leigh’s mom made homemade Chex mix in jars with sweet ‘Thank You’ tags for every guest and it really added a personal feel to the burlap and floral tables. The father of the Bride took his woodworking hobby to a new level with the very sophisticated gorgeous box he created to hold notes from each guest written to the newlyweds. They even had cozy white blankets to keep guests warm while roasting s’mores!

The best part of this day wasn’t even these amazing personal touches. It was seeing the stolen glances and sweet gestures from a head-over-heels groom to his bride.  You know those couples that you meet and immediately know they are meant to be?  Yep.  That is Leigh and Casey. Congratulations, you two!

Photography: Bloom Photography / Wedding Coordination: Wedding Warriors / Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Wedding Venue: Red Corral Ranch / Catering: Royal Fig / DJ: Altared Weddings / Hair + Makeup: Belle Mariee

I’ve never been to Dallas, but by the looks of this pretty little number from Gibson Events, it would be my new favorite spot. And this sweet-as-can-be couple? My new best friends. It’s pure perfection from the Crescent Club locale to the lovely florals from Poppy Lane Design right on down to the bride’s (amazing!) nude Louboutins. Click here to see even more from Aaron Snow Photography.

And be sure to check out the beautiful film from PenWeddings:

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From the Bride… The location of the venue was one of our favorite details in choosing the Rosewood Crescent.  The ambiance that the Crescent Hotel created coupled with the bright lights of Dallas made for an experience we could never forget.  There is a sentimental factor with the venue and location in the fact that I spent my younger years in Dallas and visited the hotel for brunch and other events.  Arriving at the hotel to do our first visit took our breath away and confirmed this was the right venue for us.  The classic hues of dark woods and merlot colors created a modern, sophisticated elegance set against the old world tradition of Dallas.

Wedding Photography: Aaron Snow Photography / Wedding Venue:  The Crescent Club in Dallas, Texas / Wedding Planning + Design: Gibson Events / Floral Design: Poppy Lane Design / Wedding Cinematography: PenWeddings / Wedding Invitations: Chirps and Cheers / Wedding Dress: JJ Kelly Bridal Salon / Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Tinkerbell, a lawn gnome and Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.”  When a first meeting includes all three of those stellar components, you know something special is about to happen.  Case in point?  These two Houston sweeties, who met one fateful Halloween evening and fell for each other over their mutual love of cute costumes, catchy tunes and “goofy” attitudes.  Needless to say, when it came time to say I Do, they incorporated their fun-filled personalities into every aspect of their wedding captured by Sharon Nicole Photography with uber-cute details styled by Pebble and Peony and bright pops of orange and blue hues.  See it all right here.

From the Bride… Jared and I met at a Halloween party three years ago. He was dressed up as a lawn gnome (he is 6’5″) and I was Tinkerbell. We immediately hit it off, and we discovered a mutual love of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA,” which for some reason was played repeatedly that night. We’re both goofy, love to have fun, and don’t take ourselves too seriously. I knew I wanted a super-fun, almost cheeky wedding with great music and a party atmosphere. I got all that and more with the HMNS paleontology hall, which as luck would have it had just been totally remodeled months before the wedding. My friend Alexis of Pebble and Peony helped me bring a ton of playful ideas to life with our cocktail napkins, drink stirrers, coasters and die-cut dinosaur escort cards.

Levity aside, it was also important to us to have a traditional ceremony. I’m Episcopalian and grew up sitting in the pews of the church we were married in. I had always imagined my wedding ceremony in that beautiful space, and it was even more special and wonderful in real life than in daydreams. A good friend of my family officiated our ceremony, and we had a brass quartet with a tympani player for ceremony music. I couldn’t have asked for more! 

Wedding Photography: Sharon Nicole Photography / Ceremony: Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Texas / Reception: Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston, Texas / Event Design: Pebble and Peony / Floral Design: Urban Petals / Dessert Table: Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar / Wedding Invitations: Dauphine Press / Band: The Pictures Band / Wedding Dress: Designed by the Bride + Created by Beautiful U Bridal in Houston (713-963-8213) / Bride’s Shoes: TOMS / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate via Bella Bridesmaid / Groom’s Bow Tie: NOLA Couture / Groomsmen’s + Usher’s Bow Ties: Wm. Lamb & Son Collection for Southern Proper + Brooks Brothers

A classic Dallas wedding is a classic wedding like no other. There is a little bit extra flair in the Big D, giving tradition the perfect twist, if you ask me. And when you get a Bride like this lovely lady planning the day? There is the perfect amount of sweet too. It’s her dream day to her dream man (in a dreamy gown) and thanks to Aaron Snow Photography we have one gorgeous gallery to peruse. Take a little look here.

From the Bride… I have dreamed of my wedding day — of the dress and all the details — since I was a little girl, but it wasn’t until college I started really dreaming of the man who would stand beside me through life. So in 2006, I started writing this man letters, not knowing who it would be. It was a start of sorts to sharing my life with him. I wrote to him about family events such as my brother’s wedding, my semester exchange in Hawaii, my summer internships and working at the hospital. I told him I thought I’d meet him there someday. We met two years later at a leadership retreat. He scheduled a meeting with me the following week, and by Sunday, we were sharing brunch at Cheevers Café. We took a trip to Seattle 10 months later, and he popped the question right there in the Public Market. Brian is the man I prayed for, and he is my very best friend.

When it came time to plan, we discussed our top four priorities of the day (this was advice from friend). We decided our most important details would be in the venue, our photographer, the food and my dress. We are both “Type A” and have very similar taste, so we planned everything together and with quite a few spreadsheets. We loved working with Emily at the Rosewood Mansion. Her customer service and attention to detail allowed us to really enjoy each moment of our wedding weekend. Emily was such a blessing in the planning process. The Rosewood offered us a beautiful rooftop terrace for our ceremony, a lovely suite and balcony for our cocktail hour, and an elegant reception space. We loved the menu we chose and were so glad our guests were so pleased as well. We’re looking forward to celebrating many anniversaries to come at the Rosewood. Our photographer Aaron Snow is as cool as his photos are beautiful. We loved working with Aaron and are looking for an excuse to have him snap a few more photos very soon! Aaron captured all the details Brian and I spent time creating, and I’m so thankful those memories will forever be represented in his remarkable talent. Junior, of Garden Gate Floral Designs, is the “Franck” of Dallas Events. He is well-known for beautiful designs and for truly executing a bride’s vision. I wanted nothing more than peonies for my fall wedding. Not an easy request, but Junior made it happen, and I was so surprised and delighted as I sneaked a quick peek of the reception and bouquets – and found my blush pink peonies! 

There are so many details about the weekend and the wedding day that I love. My wedding band has a few diamonds from a sentimental ring my parents gave me when I was just a teenager. All my girls and I shared the most lovely bridal tea at the Rosewood the morning of the wedding. My parents built the arch we stood under during the ceremony. My new sister-in-law Stacy found the sign for our nephew Bennett to walk down the aisle holding – a fun surprise we planned together for Brian. My dear friends, Derek and Christy, and their sweet daughters came all the way from Wisconsin to be our flower girls. We loved that all our family kiddos got to play together at the brunch the day before the wedding. Brian and his mother danced to a beautiful Korean song in honor of their culture during the reception. Sugar Bee Sweets made our gorgeous and delicious, silver-sparkled ombre cake. One of our favorite details was the coffee-themed favors for our guests. Three local roasts, including Texas Pecan, filled the space with a delightful fragrance and Brian and I personally stamped all the muslin bags – “Let Love Brew.” Our sparkler send off was the perfect way to end such a beautiful day. And on our wedding day, I gave Brian those letters I started writing six years ago. We’ve been reading them each night before we go to bed. It’s been fun to talk about where each of us was at a particular time, but he certainly likes the ones where he finally comes into the picture and becomes my happily ever after.

Wedding Photography: Aaron Snow Photography / Wedding Venue: Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, Texas / Floral Design: The Garden Gate / Wedding Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets / Ceremony String Trio: European Ensemble Strings / DJ + Lighting: Specialty Sound / Chairs: Chivari Chair Rentals of Dallas / Linens: BBJ Linen / Cake Table Linens: Marianne’s Rentals for Special Events / Ring Dish: Paloma’s Nest / Coffee: Central Market / Favor Stamp: Expressionery / Muslin Bags: Etsy / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Stardust Celebrations / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Bride’s Jewelry: Designs by Flora / Hair + Makeup for the Bride + Mothers of the Bride & Groom: Elan Makep Studio / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Dessy / Bridesmaids’ Hair: Drybar / Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Mother of the Bride’s Dress: Sue Wong via Neiman Marcus / Men’s + Ring Bearers’ Tuxedos: Stardust Celebrations / Groom’s Ring: Spexton

From the stunning outdoor venue, Laguna Gloria at the Austin Museum of Art, to the whimsical touches (think mini-gold elephants for a ring shot) to the bride’s out-of-this-world Jenny Packham dress, this little beauty has my heart all aflutter. 36th Street Events coordinated a unique day with florals by Merveille Events and gorgeous photography by Brett Buchanan. See the rest right here!

From Brett Buchanan… Sara and Alex created an amazing wedding celebration at Laguna Gloria, an historic lake-side museum nestled in northwest Austin. They’re an awesome couple who really celebrated every moment of their day, which was filled with beautiful flowers, world travel and safari-themed decorations, and a lively dance floor.

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Wedding Photography: Brett Buchanan | Wedding Venue: Laguna Gloria at the Austin Museum of Art in Austin, Texas | Event Coordination: 36th Street Events | Floral Design: Merveille Events | Catering: Primizie Catering | Wedding Baked Goods: Stardust Pastry | Wedding Paper Goods: Meldeen | Band: The Pictures Band | Lighting: ILIOS Lighting | Rentals: Marquee Rents + Loot Vintage Rentals | Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham | Hair + Makeup: Adore Makeup Boutique & Salon | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Amsale

If there is a color combo that makes us swoon like no other, it’s pink and gold. That fabulous duo seems to infuse the perfect about of pretty and the perfect amount of glamour into any fête – and when they are used in a wedding like this one captured beautifully by Q Weddings? That’s when wedding magic happens. It’s an al fresco stunner celebrating the joining of two beautiful families, and it’s all waiting for you right here.

From Suzi of Q Weddings… Shelly and David had an intimate wedding in their own backyard, but they still wanted an event with amazing decor for their family and friends.  The lush pink, ivory and coral florals were the highlight of this wedding, along with the beautifully presented Texas comfort food. The ceremony was poolside and serenaded by a string quartet. Cocktails were served as the sun was setting. While guests were enjoying champagne cocktails with a touch of fresh cream, the coordinator and her crew created an elegant dinner atmosphere with bamboo Chivari chairs, long European-style wood tables, decorated with silver vases, silver ornate carved boxes, candleabras, orchids, roses and hydrangeas. Gold-rimmed chargers were placed at every setting, along with one pink rose.

When Shelly and David got married, they also united their two families, bringing together five children. Shelly’s son carried a wood placard that announced her entrance, as well as when she was allowed to kiss David at the end of the ceremony. The three girls each wore vibrant blue dresses and each had their own personalized bouquet of coral and pink-colored flowers. The menu included roasted and carrot and sweet potato enchiladas with a red pepper poblano Crema with Cotija cheese and pepitas, gourmet sliders, gourmet chicken-fried steak, plus beignets as favors to honor Shelly’s New Orleans heritage.

Wedding Photography: Q Weddings / Wedding Venue: The Couple’s Backyard in Austin, Texas / Wedding Coordination + Catering: Suzanne Court Catering & Events / Floral Design: Fabian / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Simon Lee Bakery / Band: Blue Finger Disco / Wedding Dress: Winnie Couture / Hair: Jean Barton / Makeup: Mandy Morrison

I love this Bride. For so many reasons, but the main one being after reading her description I think she might be the sweetest person on the planet. And her wedding? Beyond gorgeous. Donning her grandmother’s gown and a whole lot of gratitude, her nuptials to her main man in uniform were nothing short of stunning. Add cascading florals and gorgeous images from Forever Photography Studio? And ladies and gentlemen, we end up with one lovely gallery. See so much more pretty right here.

From the Bride… Because Cam is a Marine, and constantly back and forth for training, as you can imagine planning too far ahead is almost an impossible task. The hill country is one of my favorites places to be and also represents Cam’s style. I’m a beach bum, he’s a country boy. I found Camp Lucy on a website and saw that they were having an open house two weeks later. I told my mother and grandmother that we were going. We went, we fell in love, and we booked a date that day! It was the last Saturday open for almost the rest of the year. I was ECSTATIC that we found the place and day…now I just needed to inform my husband to be! I called him and described the place to him, as well as sent pictures from my phone, and told him I had booked June 30th, 2012. Luckily, he thought that date sounded perfect. From then on out, we were in full wedding planning mode. Being that Cam was away for basically our whole engagement, I leaned on my mother and my uncle Rick. I can honestly say that without them, my wedding would not have been what it was. They are INCREDIBLE and Rick’s creativity and design sense created the most beautiful wedding I could ever have dreamt of.

 I wasn’t entirely sure of the colors I wanted or the look I wanted, but as time went on I realized that the environment at Camp Lucy was so gorgeous, I didn’t want anything to take away from that. I steered away from all bright colors and focused on champagne, off whites, natural greens, and burlap. Once I gave the coloring, I pretty much did nothing. My uncle took control and gave me exactly what I wanted. He created my vision, but better than I could ever have imagined. The one thing that I was adamant about was that I was going to wear my grandmother’s wedding dress. I had dreamt of this my whole life. My grandmother married in a Catholic Church to a full blood Italian family. Her dress that she bought, just had little cap sleeves, and upon seeing that, her future mother in law insisted that she add long sleeves. The only thing I changed on her dress, was removing those long sleeves and restoring it back to the dress that she originally purchased. I felt more beautiful in that dress than anything I have ever worn in my life and I love knowing that her and I will always share that special bond. She is my hero, my role model, and one of my best friends. Another thing I wanted at our wedding was the Italian tradition of giving out 5 almonds to the guests. At traditional Italian weddings, five almonds signify five wishes for the bride and groom: health, wealth, happiness, fertility, and longevity.

I wish I could say that I remember every moment, but that wouldn’t be the truth. The whole evening went by so quickly that I felt like I couldn’t soak it all in. There are a few moments however that will always stand out in my mind. One of those is watching Cam as I walked down the aisle and as I stood with him throughout the ceremony. He had this adorable smirk on his face the whole time which he only gets when he is really truly happy. Another memory I have is my dance with my father. I was extremely nervous about dancing with him because we both have two left feet. The moment the song started playing, those worries escaped my mind and all I could think about was how much I loved my father. Of course the tears came instantly for both of us. That is a moment that I will treasure forever. I am such a daddy’s girl! 

Wedding Photography: Forever Photography Studio / Wedding Venue: Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, Texas / Wedding Planning + Design: Texas Hill Country Events / Floral Design: Alamo Plants and Petals + Janal Inc. / Wedding Cinematography: DPC Event Services / Catering: Crave Catering / Cake + Desserts: Classic Cakes by Lori / Invitations: Invitations, Etc / Wedding Dress: Bride’s Grandmother’s (ceremony dress) + Jim Hjelm (reception dress) / Bride’s Ceremony Earrings: Bride’s Great Grandmother’s / Reception Headband: BHLDN / Bridesmaids’ Dress: Amsale

Mention a DIY-inspired wedding held on a family farm in Texas that’s filled to the brim with handmade touches…and I’m done for it. This little beauty from Sara & Rock Photography has me over-the-moon from the hay bale seating to the paper goodies created by the bride-it’s a rustic loving bride’s dream. Lucky for us, the gallery’s full to the brim with inspiration! See it all here. 

From Sara & Rocky Photography… Miranda and Lane were wed on his family farm in east Texas on November 3, 2012. Lane made the invitations, the signs, and even built the dance floor.  The ceremony was under a huge tree, with hay bales at seating for guests. Lane and Miranda met in Colorado working at a camp, and both live in east Texas now. The beer served was all craft beer from either Texas or Colorado. It started to rain right before the ceremony, but luckily, right after the ceremony started, it held off for the rest of the night. It was such a beautiful wedding — very laid-back and fun.

Wedding Photography: Sara & Rocky Photography / Wedding Venue: The Groom’s Family’s Family Farm / Floral Design: Fresh / Wedding Coordination: A Family Friend / Catering: Rudy’s / Wedding Dress: White by Vera Wang

One of my best friends got married at the Houston Country Club, so I can totally attest to its beauty. Filled with gorgeous light, it’s the perfect place to host an unforgettable wedding reception. Kelly Hornberger Photography was on hand to capture all the pretty details, from the bride’s gorgeous dress to the amazing linens and centerpieces, this wedding is bringing the inspiration. Click here for even more. 

From Kelly Hornberger Photography… The Houston Country Club is stunning. A venue with loads of light. Light that trickled in perfectly and showed off the amazing smile of a beautiful redheaded bride named Sarah. It was one long day for this bride, but she glowed the ENTIRE time on late into the night. Sarah was surrounded by some of her amazing sisters and friends while primping and prepping. Both mothers were there to create even more smiles throughout the room. Everything flowed just perfectly. We made it to the church with plenty of time to get into Sarah’s dress, see her dad for the first time and relax a little before taking her big walk.

If Anderson was nervous, he played it off well. His normal jokster self was out and about, creating lots of laughs and setting everyone at ease around him. It was so fun, like always, to get to hang with him and the boys all the way up to the final moments. Dad walked the oldest of his four daughters down the aisle. No way there could be a dry eye. Anderson was so pumped and his bride walked towards him; he could not stop smiling.

Wedding Photography: Kelly Hornberger Photography / Ceremony: Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas / Reception: Houston Country Club in Houston, Texas / Wedding Planning: Charity Lykins Events / Floral Design: Flora Bella Designs / Wedding Cakes: Susie’s Cakes & Confections / Band: The Pictures Band / Wedding Dress: Rivini / Makeup: Your Beautiful Face / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Watters / Groom’s Attire: Al’s Formal Wear

I sometimes wish I had even an ounce of Texas charm (or owned a pair of cowboy boots for that matter) and that feeling is only heightened when I set my sights on a Texas fête as sweet as this one from Day 7 Photography! Centered around the couple’s love for open spaces and the outdoors, their wedding was a compilation of their favorite things shared perfectly with their favorite people! See the whole thing right here!

From the Bride… Ben and I wanted to create a sense of awe and wonder for our guests. Also, we wanted the wedding to be laid-back and relaxed to reflect our personalities … and for everyone to have fun. At the end of it all, we prayed that our friends and family would slow down and witness God as they witnessed our marriage. The country and hoedown theme came about because I’ve always connected wide open spaces, fields of green, wildflowers and dancing with the idea of being free. A beautiful country wedding was the perfect way of really enjoying marrying my best friend! Looking back, I think we did it this way as much for ourselves (we needed the reminder to slow down and be in awe and wonder) as we did for our guests. We were so blessed to be able to share our world with everyone.

For a special touch, we really wanted every guest to have their own personal mason jar to use throughout the wedding and to take home to remember the day by. This was a personal idea that I had from the beginning that I was adamant about sticking with. Ben and I had to go to over half a dozen different stores across three different cities to collect 200 of these exact jars we wanted! Another personal aspect was inviting our favorite local eateries and food trucks to cater our wedding! I didn’t care if this wasn’t traditional or very formal. I thought it was the best thing in the world that I could have my favorite foods shared with all my friends and family! During our planning, some friends commented that sushi, pizza, and pork belly wouldn’t match together very well, but I didn’t mind. :) We also had two-step lessons during cocktail hour, which came about because I told my friend Janie how much I wanted everyone to enjoy country dancing as much as I do (the theme/idea of sharing our lives with others). She suggested we help our guests by giving them lessons. We loved the idea! Lastly, I wanted to give each bridesmaid real cowboy boots as a gift because I believe that every girl should own her own pair of cowboy boots! They are such good quality and stay with you for a lifetime through many different seasons of life (like a forever friend).

Wedding Photography: Day 7 Photography / Wedding Venue: Texas Old Town in Kyle, Texas / Wedding Planning + Coordination: Nita Teng / Floral Design: DIY by the Wedding Party with Help from Nita Teng / Catering: Kome, East Side King + Mandola’s Italian Market / Bartending: Texas Ritas / Wedding Cake: Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop / Wedding Invitations: Designed by Victoria Liu + Printed by French Paper Company / Cornhole Game: DIY by the Couple’s Friend Nick / Gold Twine: Knot and Bow / Mason Jar Labels: CuteTape / Cow Photo Booth Prop: Trumpette / Wedding Dress: Designer Unknown / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair + Makeup: Studio Tilee / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Inspired by ASOS / Bridesmaids’ Boots: Cavender’s / Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse / Groomsmen’s Socks: Polo Ralph Lauren

Without a doubt, from this moment on, when I hear the word adorable, I will instantly picture these two Austin cuties.  No ifs, ands or buts about it.  In fact, I am fairly certain the word was solely created just for their smiling, uber-bubbly faces.  And if it wasn’t, well… it should have been.  Because these are two sweeties that are most definitely all-around adorable, as evidenced by their smile-inducing engagement session, aka, moment after moment of pure bliss captured by Sharon Nicole Photography.  Don’t miss a minute and get your joy on in the full gallery.

From Sharon Nicole Photography… Carrie envisioned a dreamy, outdoor picnic for her engagement session with Chad. We collaborated on props and found the perfect setting at Common Fords Park. Carrie’s stylish fashion choices were perfect for this session and also match her wedding colors. Chad also helped by picking out the perfect table for their picnic. The table paired well with all of Carrie’s antique finds from her trips to Europe. Bright pops of color were brought in with a salt and pepper shaker from Anthropologie, an Anthropologie vase and a tablecloth from BHLDN.

Photography: Sharon Nicole Photography / Location: Common Fords Park in Austin, Texas / Event Design: Carrie Nie (The Bride-to-Be) + Sharon Nicole Photography / Flowers: Whole Foods / Macarons: The Sweet Boutique Bakery / Chess Board, Candelabra, Candlestick + Serving Tray: European Antique Markets / Vase + Salt & Pepper Shaker: Anthropologie / Picnic Blanket: A Rifle Paper Co. Tablecloth from BHLDN / Bride’s White Dress: Free People / Bride’s Statement Necklace: BaubleBar / Bride’s Blazer: Gap / Bride’s Blouse: J.Crew / Bride’s Pants: J.Crew / Bride’s Boots: From Paris / Bride’s Earrings: From The Netherlands / Bride’s Blue Dress: Zara / Hair + Makeup: Tiffany Lee / Groom’s Sweater + Pants: Banana Republic / Groom’s Shirt: J.Crew / Groom’s Jeans: Lucky Brand / Groom’s Loafers: Geox

Remember what your mom always told you about absence making the heart grow fonder? Well, in this adorable couple’s case, it’s totally true. After meeting and falling in love in high school, they went their separate ways for college and after five years of a long distance relationship, their thrilled to be tying the knot in May. Stacy Reeves captured their newly engaged bliss and you can see it all right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Aaron and I met while we were in high school in 2005. I was a sophomore, and Aaron was tall and handsome junior. After meeting at a Chick-Fil-A in town, Aaron asked me on a date, and the rest is history!

Aaron went to Texas A&M University in 2007 and received a bachelor’s in accounting and master’s in finance, while I stayed local at Texas Woman’s University and majored in speech-language pathology. We both stayed very busy, so the time apart would go by quickly. After five years of long distance, Aaron moved back to Dallas and is currently an accountant there, and I am still at TWU, now in graduate school for speech-language pathology. After being together for almost eight years, we are THRILLED we are finally getting married in May!

Our amazing photographer, Stacy Reeves, is wonderful. Aaron loved the fact that she’s an Aggie herself! We brought our 8-month-old puppy, Gus to the shoot. He absolutely loved it! With the help of Stacy, our pictures are more than we could have ever asked for. We can’t wait for our wedding!

Photography: Stacy Reeves / Location: Dallas, Texas

You know this couple is bound for a lifetime of happiness because they started their day surrounded by all the ones who love them most. And all these lovely people pitched in to throw this adorable couple a day they will never forget. It’s just about the sweetest DIY we ever did see. It’s brimming with pretty details captured by Leah McEachern Photography and you can see all the rest right here in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Steven and I wanted to have a wedding that included all the wonderful talented friends and family we have. Photography, singing, flowers, catering, all the decor — the day was only made possible by the ones we love most! We couldn’t have imagined it any better!

Wedding Photography: Leah McEachern Photography / Ceremony: City Church International in Dallas, Texas / Reception: Lofty Spaces in Dallas, Texas / Floral Design: Stems of Dallas / Catering: Chef Michael Cate / Wedding Cake: Dennette Cate / Groom’s Cake: Delicious Cakes / Wedding Invitations: Meagan Adair Designs / Ceremony Music: Jillian Edwards / Wedding Dress: Watters via Lasting Bridal Couture / Hair + Makeup: Courtni Degener Hair Stylist

Nothing quite makes my heart go pitter pat than a breathtaking location, and this wedding at Villa Antonia has my ticker on super overdrive. And when you add the sheer romantic wonderfulness of this Maggie Sottero gown with the terrace views of Texas Hill Country and florals from Bouquets of Austin? I just can’t handle all of the greatness this gallery has to offer. Find it all by Amy Weison Photography right here.

From the Bride… Patrick and I are high-school sweethearts, but we have known each other since elementary school. In August, we finally tied the knot on the hottest, most wonderful day in Austin, Texas. Our wedding was a unique and beautiful affair doused in white lace, candles, hand-painted vintage vases, beautiful blooming roses, small spurts of astilbe and dusty miller, and hanging crystals. We chose Villa Antonia, nestled in the Texas Hill Country just northwest of Austin, Texas, as our wedding day backdrop because of its romantic feel and surprising water features and viewpoints around every corner. Our outdoor ceremony was a bit warm, but the programs doubled as fans to provide our guests with a cool introduction to our bridal party. During the reception, dinner tables were decorated with an eclectic array of blush pink and ivory flowers that filled hand-painted bud vases, which mimicked vintage-milk glass. The candy buffet, with custom M & P candy bowls, was the perfect way to share our appreciation with our guests, as well as showcase our favorite sweet treats! The theme of our wedding was classic, elegant, beautiful love.

Wedding Photography: Amy Weison Photography / Wedding Venue: Villa Antonia in Jonestown, Texas / Floral Design: Bouquets of Austin / Wedding Day Coordination: Chelsea Rollert of iLove Wedding & Event Design / Catering: Creative Creations Catering / Wedding Invitations: Paper Source / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero via Signature Bridal Salon / Bride’s Shoes: TOMS

Bowties complete with polka dots, pretty ‘maids all lined up in a row, and a bride who is absolutely glowing. All ingredients in this stunning Texas soiree. Mixed in with a couple of kisses and extra scoops of love, the day was beautiful. And with Nancy Aidée Photography behind the lens, the gallery is just as beautiful a spot to spend your morning. Click here for more!

Bo is from Midland, Texas and after graduating from Texas Tech, he moved back to Midland to start his career as a Petroleum Engineer. I am from Houston, Texas and after graduating from Texas A&M I moved back to Houston to teach 7th grade math. Bo and I met through his sister, Abby, who lives in Houston. Abby and her husband, Tim were in a Bible study with me and introduced us in May 2011 when Bo was in town for the weekend. Our first date was to an Astros game and we were engaged 6 months later in November. We are currently living in Midland, Texas and I am enjoying my new life in West Texas!

We wanted our wedding to be classic and romantic, but reflect our artsy side as well. We used DIY whenever possible and it helped keep the whimsical, garden feel. Greenery, shades of ivory flowers, and hints of blush were displayed at the church and reception. My bridesmaids wore navy dresses with nude pumps that blended with the gold and champagne accents.

Our rehearsal dinner was enjoyed at the beautiful St. James Place in the garden room. The table assignments were displayed in frames where the names corresponded with a color. This color coordinated with the elaborate unique floral centerpieces that were displayed in shades of that color. After memorable toasts by the best man and maid of honor, the rest of the night was unscripted, as we laughed to toasts by others from our wedding party. Guests took home junior mints in personalized white boxes tied with their table’s color ribbon.

The church balcony was covered with greenery, accented with candles and lanterns on either side. The organ accompanied the live strings played by Accent Chamber Music while my dad and I walked down the aisle. David Dunn, a groomsman and musician, played the piano and sang 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman while Bo and I took communion.

The reception started with Ice House Band playing acoustically and singing during a cocktail hour downstairs. Lobster corndogs, mini margarita pizzas, and coconut chicken were served on personalized gold embossed napkins before guests walked upstairs. The doors to the ballroom were decorated with large moss letters hung by burlap and ribbon bows. We used amber up lighting and greenery wrapped the dance floor creating a candlelit garden feel. Live dinner music was enjoyed through dinner and it wasn’t long before the dance floor was overtaken by glow sticks and dancing. Four Frames Photobooths set up a photobooth with props and immediate digital prints. Glow stick jump roping, hula hooping, and creative glow stick attire kept the dance floor alive until midnight. Guests took home personalized Fiji water bottles tied with raffia. Bo and I left under the glow of sparklers and rode away in a horse drawn carriage. To us our fairy tale had just begun! The warm July night in Houston was so much more than what we dreamed of. This special weekend of friends and family reflected our personalities perfectly and will forever be engrained in our memories thanks to our wonderful photographer!

Photography: Nancy Aidée Photography / Wedding Dress Designer: Pronovias, Brickhouse Bridal / Shoes: Vera Wang Lavender / Wedding Veil: Family heirloom / Ceremony Sash & Reception hair piece: BHLDN / Reception Sash: Beautiful U Bridal Veil Alterations / Bridesmaids Dresses: BHLDN / Hair Stylist and Makeup Artist: Kristin Daniell / Florist: Flora Bella Designs / Entertainment & Uplighting: Ice House Band / Stationery: Ann Werme Stationers / Wedding Cake & Grooms fishing cake: Bessie’s Cakes, Kathy Warnke / Ceremony Location: Bethel Church / Reception Location: Houston Racquet Club

Okay, I know I may have too many girl crushes in my current list, but I just have to add this Bride to my favorite ladies of all time. How can I resist? She is breathtakingly beautiful in her Lazaro gown and exuding the most timeless kind of elegance, she is radiant in each image from Sara Donaldson. Oh, and the rest of the gallery? Gorgeous flowers at every turn from Bella Flora of Dallas with classic details of pearls, mercury glass, and silver aplenty by Shannon Schultz Events. Give your eyes all the glittery, shimmery lovely they could ask for right here.

From Shannon Schultz Events… An utterly romantic couple, Rachel and Dominic met at Pepperdine University in Malibu and were married at Piazza in the Village in Colleyville, Texas. Every design and planning meeting with this idyllically sweet couple was a breeze. Rachel asked for a natural and sophisticated wedding design: ivory, silver, pearls and overflowing branches. We framed the dance floor with birch trees, from which hung outdoor-inspired antique metal votive cups and strands of precious orchids. The centerpieces were a composite of tall birch trees with branches accented with white dendrobium orchids and surrounded with lush hydrangea, garden roses and to-die-for pastel dahlias.

Tradition and remembrance was an ongoing thread throughout the wedding details. The couple used items passed down from past generations, including the Scottish tartan remnant pinned inside the groom’s jacket and the vintage brooch displayed upon the delicately ruffled wedding cake. They also created their own “something old” details, such as the bride’s silver and pearl bouquet pins, which will remain in the family for years to come. Naturally, this adorable couple had to have a “Let Them Eat Cake” dessert bar, including dainty swan puffs, heavenly chocolate eclairs and mini fruit tarts. All were set on silver platters which glittered amongst mercury glass votives. We played “I Like Candy” by Bow Wow as they cut their cakes. The wedding favors were Italian wedding cookies made by the groom’s aunt. We wrapped each cookie with a tag stamped with the word “love.”

But the sweetest part of the evening may have been the surprise song that the groom sang to his bride right there on the dance floor, surrounded by all of their loved ones. It’s touching moments like those that make my job as a wedding planner incredibly rewarding.

Wedding Photography: Sara Donaldson / Wedding Venue: Piazza in the Village in Colleyville, Texas / Wedding Planning: Shannon Schultz Events / Floral Design: Bella Flora of Dallas / Officiant: Dr. Richard White / Wedding Cake: Creme de la Creme Cake Company / Wedding Stationery: Kate Reed Designs / Calligraphy: Blue Eye Brown Eye / String Trio: Serenata Strings / DJ: Groovin DJ / Transportation: From the Personal Collection of Chandler Smith / Wedding Dress: Lazaro via Stardust Celebrations / Hair + Makeup: Maelen Richie + Elan Makeup Studio / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Monique Lhuillier via Nordstrom / Bride’s Ring: Her Grandmother’s Wedding Band / Men’s Suits: Pronto Uomo via Men’s Wearhouse