Texas Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

Southern Spring Wedding at Canyonwood Ridge in Austin, Texas

I can say without hesitation that I am entirely ready to skip winter and move straight on to spring. Who’s with me? I know all of you spring Brides are probably SO ready, but maybe not-so-ready when it comes to the to do list. Thankfully, you have a few more months to plan, prep and soak in inspiration as juicy as this fete planned and designed by Westcott Weddings. With a citrusy palette and blooms by Clementine Botanical Art, the only natural thing to do is smile when you see the images from Jen Dillender. Ready? Let’s go.

From Westcott Weddings… Dana and Sam were married at Canyonwood Ridge in Austin/Dripping Springs on March 28 in a sweet, colorful, southern springtime celebration. Guests gathered in the onsite chapel for their ceremony before heading to the lawn for cocktails, yard games and pre-dinner mingling. Following cocktail hour, guests were invited inside for a family style dinner, dessert, and dancing. We wrapped up the evening with a sparkler send-off. A few of my favorite details…

Dana and her mom collected all of the vintage china (and had enough for 300 full place settings — dinner plates, salad plates, and dessert plates)! Dana’s mom hand-selected the plates for each table to ensure a beautiful, unique collection.

The color palette! Love the way her sweet, springtime palette (brought to life by Clementine Botanical Art) popped in the venue, against their dresses, etc.

Her invitation suite designed by Boarding School Collective, which featured a custom crest, letterpress printing, and swiss dot details to mimic/introduce the table settings.

Those cakes! In addition to being downright gorgeous, they were absolutely delicious — Earl Grey Cake with Honey Lavender Buttercream and Carrot Cake with Brown Butter Buttercream.

And above all, Dana and Sam are some of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with — it was truly an honor to be part of their day!

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Royal Dukes Band

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Chic South Asian Wedding at Hyatt Regency Hotel Dallas

As much as I love a wedding packed with Pinterest-worthy details, without fail, I always come back to the bridal portraits. They’re my favorite images to look at when I first open a gallery—so you can imagine my excitement when I clicked on this one captured by Erin Wilson. They are powerful portraits that tell the story of the blending of two beautiful cultural backgrounds and the love of Alyzae and Viqar. To top it all off, we had a chance to interview the Bride herself, on every facet of their day. Read it all below!

Tell us about your cultural backgrounds?

My cultural background is of British and Pakistani heritage, and Viqar’s heritage is from India and Yemen. Both of us grew up here in the states – he grew up in Western New York and I grew up in Dallas.

What elements of your culture/heritage were important to incorporate into your wedding?

The clothes and jewelry played a big part in our wedding – both of us wore pieces that had meaningful significance within our families which was really special. I also got to wear a beautiful, signature Indian jewelry set from Viqar’s mother. Food is also a highlight in South Asian weddings so having a variety of traditional food was important. Our culture also places an emphasis that a marriage is not just between two individuals, but between two families, so the the involvement of our families was important.

How did you blend cultures and still keep your ceremony & reception cohesive?

Fortunately, there are a lot of similarities between our cultures, so it was a matter of merging the two cultures together.

Did you have Western influences at all? If so, what were they?

Yes! Traditionally, the South Asian wedding outfit is red, but I always knew I wanted to wear white. As part of our cultural wedding dress, we wear a veil (“dubata”) on our head, but I loved the idea of a long cathedral-style veil so I combined the two! Traditionally, our weddings are a multiday event, with the ceremony typically held on the day before the reception. The set up of our wedding mimicked a Western wedding in that we had the ceremony and reception in one evening, with a social (“cocktail”) hour in between. We also had my brother’s friend play the piano to “All of Me” by John Legend for our entrance. Lastly, my mother set up a massive dessert bar that included both traditional South Asian dessert as well as Western dessert.

What were any challenges that you faced when planning your wedding?

Because I live in Maryland and Viqar lives in Boston, planning our wedding Dallas and finalizing the venue, photo/video, clothes and makeup from afar was definitely challenging! It was nice to have my parents in-town to help with coordinating all the different pieces.

Biggest piece of advice for those looking to infuse their wedding with more than one culture?

Openly communicating between families with what traditions/aspects of the wedding is important to them was really helpful and kept everyone on the same page. It also gave everyone a piece of mind that they’re values/traditions were being respected. Infusing multiple cultures into a wedding also gives you the opportunity to go outside the box with your planning and provides you and your guests a unique experience!

Photography: Erin Wilson Photography | Videography: Company N Films | Hotel: Hyatt Regency Hotel Dallas

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Erin Wilson Photography

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Rehearsal Dinner with Texas Hospitality at Guero’s in Austin

What do you get when you combine a love for Tex-Mex, good music and all of your favorite people in the world (and a few margaritas)? The best. rehearsal. dinner. ever. That’s exactly what this Bride & Groom did, with the help of 36th Street Events, to welcome guests to their wedding weekend. It has a cozy, at-home vibe and by the looks of every image from Brett Heidebrecht the smiles and laughter were proof of a great kickoff.

From Brett Heidebrecht… To open up events for their May wedding weekend in Austin, TX, the bride and groom welcomed all wedding guests to their rehearsal dinner Friday night. The bride, originally from Texas, and the groom, originally from Connecticut, met in California and had guests from all over the world visiting making a weekend of their wedding celebration. For the rehearsal dinner, they wanted to welcome their guests with good food, music, and warm Texas hospitality.

With the help of 36th Street Events, they transformed Guero’s – a favorite local Mexican restaurant with an outdoor beer garden – into a hacienda-style party with dinner and dancing. Margaritas and sangria were served during cocktail hours as country band Aaron McDonnell and The Neon Eagles played and Texas Two-Step instructors gave out-of-staters a dance lesson.

The evening included a Tex-Mex buffet with tables covered in native florals, adding a colorful fiesta-inspired flair to the festivities. Table decor included terracotta ceramics overflowing with fresh pomegranates, prickly pear and citrus fruits, a mix of cactus, succulents, and rich color palette provided by bougainvillea and dahlias. After dinner, dances, and toasts from the wedding party and parents of the groom, the bride and groom surprised guests with freshly-made churros that took them well into the Friday night downtown.

Photography: Brett Heidebrecht Photography | Floral Design: Rosehip Flora | Entertainment: Aaron McDonnell & The Neon Eagles | Venue: Guero's | Planning & Design: 36th Street Events

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36th Street Events

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A Timeless Tented Wedding at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

There’s nothing quite like that timeless beauty of a Spring wedding reception underneath a sprawling Sperry tent, am I right?! Add a few arrangements of green and white flowers, white table linens, charming cross-back chairs and there you have it – our recipe for the perfect, classic wedding. With planning from 36th Street Events, floral design by Rosehip Flora and all captured flawlessly (duh!) by Brett Heidebrecht – this perfect day embodies the classic tented wedding of our dreams.

The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center was an easy choice for The bride and groom. They fell in love in California and enjoy the outdoors, so bringing their wedding guests to a venue that celebrates and conserves the central Texas native landscape was a natural pick. Despite their love of the venue, it would be a challenging location for their 180 person wedding, and they set out to find a team that could execute the vision for an immersive, indoor-outdoor experience for their guests. 36th Street Events and Contigo Catering were up to the challenge.

They transformed the already beautiful center into a garden oasis, showcasing the Texas Hill Country. Guests entered the venue through a walk under sandstone aqueducts, reflecting the history of Spanish Colonial times in the region. Upon entering the central courtyard, guests were greeted with champagne and serenaded with music from a Spanish guitar trio before entering the great hall for the wedding ceremony.

With high ceilings, limestone walls, and floor to ceiling windows overlooking a dramatic vista of wildflower fields, the bride and groom added only an arbor over the altar for a simple, structural backdrop to their wedding vows. Guests could gaze over the bucolic meadow, the perfect bridge between the indoors and the natural splendor outside, as they awaited the bride. Suited to the season, the bride chose an organza Reem Acra wedding gown with a corseted bodice hand-stitched in chantilly lace and overlaid with an off-the-shoulder bolero. In true Texas fashion, she wore custom, caramel colored boots by Luchesse. Bridesmaids wore dresses in champagne-colored chiffon and emerald onyx earrings, keeping with the wedding’s color palette. The groom, in Texas summer tradition, wore a white dinner jacket by Zegna with a boutonniere made of a single white gardenia.

As the ceremony ended, floor-to-ceiling doors swung open, surprising the guests with the sound of a full Mariachi band kicking off cocktail hour. The Mariachi band then led all guests through the gardens of the Wildflower Center, replete with passed champagne, as guests strolled through the displays of native plants on the way to the reception lawn. The garden stroll opened up to a beautiful meadow, where guests were greeted with Contigo Catering’s fabulous array of Texas-inspired hors d’oeuvres and an oyster bar. Guests mingled outside of the 80 ft. Sperry tent with signature cocktails – spicy margaritas and Yankee mules, a salute to the bride and grooms’ backgrounds. Inside the grand tent, 36th Street Events and Rosehip Floral created a natural extension of the venue’s native gardens. Fresh branches and greenery were added to the tent poles to create the feeling of an arboretum inside the space. A wall of live plants was added as a backdrop to the main bar, which served as a natural break between the bar and the dance floor.

Tables were covered in cream linens, and decorated with copper vessel; place settings were kept simple with copper flatware, glass chargers, and personalized menus. Table arrangements incorporated native grasses and seasonal blooms, accented by sumptuous bowls of figs, pears, and grapes. Calligraphy for the invitation suite was provided by the bride in her own handwriting. San Francisco-based Dependable Letterpress realized the bride’s vision for an elegant and personal design, including hand-painted watercolor maps of the venue and the entire weekend’s locales. A collection of vintage stamps, showcasing Texas history and natural flora in the bride’s color palette of cream, champagne, and emerald, decorated the front of each envelope. At the reception, each guest received their place cards with a handwritten note from the bride and groom. Guests were given custom majolica tiles designed by the bride.

The dinner menu by Contigo served up elevated southwestern fare. The bride, who loves to host dinner parties, wanted the dining experience to make guests as feel as comfortable as they would be in their own homes. A plated salad of green bean, zucchini, arugula, peaches, house-made ricotta, and roasted onion vinaigrette was followed by pork shoulder with charred eggplant puree and leek salsa verde. Sides were served family style: grilled corn, avocado, and ancho creme fraiche; duck confit, shishito peppers, and pickled watermelon rind; and a seasonal salad of roasted beets, pickled rhubarb, pistachio, and purslane.

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36th Street Events

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A Garden Wedding at the Dallas Arboretum with a Modern Twist

A few days ago, we shared this Dallas Arboretum wedding from Jeff Brummet Visuals and Bella Flora of Dallas on our LBB Blog — but we had a bit of a scheduling snafu. We knew, we just had to feature it again, because it’s filled with so many lovely moments and has so many beautiful bridal portraits (plus a really great proposal story). The full gallery is loaded with #HangOnTheWall portraits — and then, when you bring in the fluffy white pup (queue the pup pic!), well, you know how we feel about that! Here are our top six #DontMissPics … *DropDeadGorgeous bridal portraits: here + here + here | *The Dress with Off The Shoulder Lace Sleeves and… #ChangeItUp to Strapless! (WinWin – right?) | *Garden Vibes in Texas with an unexpected South African flair (for goodness sakes – the groom had malaria when he proposed!) You have to Watch the film from Brendan Williams. Guaranteed love | *And last, but dare we say not-at-all-least, a modern day #GoingAwayOutfit that tops our list of oh-so-cool surprises (aka, a jumpsuit)! [I think that might have been seven.] Anyway, we’ll start with one of those beautiful a-ha-portraits…

From Lauren, at Style Me Pretty… Who said garden weddings have to mean flower crowns, wooden signs and casual flair – this wedding is the perfect example of how to dress up your garden wedding venue in a sophisticated, modern style. With planning by Laura Mayfield, flowers by Bella Flora of Dallas and photos from Jeff Brummett Visuals – it’s no wonder this wedding is a total winner! Two things I’m obsessed with from this day? 1. The bride’s super fun jumpsuit for the reception 2. One seriously celeb-worthy wedding cake from Elena’s Cakes. See it all in the full gallery!

From the photographer, Jeff Brummet… Callie and Lorne have such an amazing story. Callie, from Southlake, Texas and Lorne, from South Africa, met while attending Texas Christian University in Fort Worth.

They both share a love for Africa. When it came time for Lorne to pop the question, he knew it had to be at one of their favorite places. The Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania. The area is a World Heritage Site and is home to a wide variety of wildlife and landscapes. After a morning safari, Lorne, who was sick with Malaria at the time (!), brought Callie to a spot on the wall of the crater overlooking the entire preserve.

Callie and Lorne exchanged vows in the Lay Family Garden, surrounded by family and friends from around the world. Afterwards, everyone settled in for the most stunning outdoor reception. This gorgeous dinner was set overlooking White Rock Lake.

As with any great Dallas Arboretum wedding, everyone danced away the evening under the stars before a sparkler sendoff. I can’t say enough about how great it was to get to know this wonderful couple and all their loved ones.

And as we mentioned, we know you’ll love watching this highlight film from Brendan Williams… you’re sure to feel the South African vibe!

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To see more of Jeff Brummett’s work, from Texas to New York to Italy– head on over to his blog and Instagram page!

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Bella Flora of Dallas is a full-service floral and event design studio specializing in luxury weddings and social events. Taking great pride in custom details and a unique approach to each and every event is their claim to fame! Looking at the floral design on this wedding is absolute proof! See more of Bella Flora’s floral designs on their Instagram page and their blog!

Soft Texture Meets Moody Romance at The White Sparrow Barn

Some days we come across photos and designs that are so beautiful – we literally have to pinch ourselves to believe how lucky we are to do what we do everyday… today is one of those days. This inspiration shoot from Charla Storey Photography, with design by Chic & Pretty Events and floral by Wedfully Yours, has completely stolen our hearts. The artistic contrast between the bright, white barn against the romantic floral of warm hues is soooo stunning. The bride’s natural makeup look and blush Carola Hannah dress are a heavenly pair. Keep reading ‘till the end to see the most creative cake design EVER. We just can’t rave about this one enough, guys!

This shoot was a marriage of soft and gritty textures with a bit of moody romantic influence. White Sparrow is a stunning all-white barn with lots of natural light pouring through the windows. It was the perfect canvas for a monochromatic palette with contrast.

Charla Storey always has the most beautiful shoots, so we wanted her and the attendees to have a variety to capture. The tablescape had a variety of surfaces from the velvet covering and vellum menus to the stone treated pillar candles and charcoal flatware.

Many of us in this team have worked weddings at the White Sparrow but one of its new exciting aspects is the charming glass greenhouse surrounded by a field of lavender that recently opened up. We designed a suspension piece inside it that had an overgrown feel to it paired with a floor install having the same effect.

Linda from Wedfully Yours Floral did a stellar job and it turned out perfectly. Nestling a chair in the center for our bride was the most magical setting. She had a Carol Hannah blush colored bodice, skirt and veil that illuminated in that greenhouse.

A fun aspect of event designing is having interchangeable pieces that can double as another function. You’ve seen it before with ceremony backdrops doubling as head table backdrops. We took the centerpieces from the tablescape and created an entirely new portrait setting with a solid backdrop. Everyone loved how it turned out and we couldn’t have been happier with this collaboration.

A Corpus Christi Country Club Wedding of Timeless Elegance

There is so much beauty in simplicity – and this wedding captured by Honey Gem Creative is all the proof we’ll ever need! Every detail of this gorgeous day at Corpus Christi Country Club was planned entirely by the bride herself – how impressive is that!? She drew inspiration from their gold, custom monogram and a classic color scheme of crisp white and emerald green. With a little help from Razzle Dazz, her floral vision was brought to life in timeless arrangements of ivory roses, Italian ruscus and white hydrangea. Be sure to scroll all the way to the end for the bride’s one (very important) piece of advice for all future bride-to-be’s!

From the Bride… August 04, 2018 will be a day both Michael and I will hold close to our hearts for the rest of our lives. Michael and I dated ten years before getting married so for both of us, it is still so surreal that we are married. That ten year journey was so sweet but moving forward as a married couple is far sweeter than we could have ever imagined. One of the first things Michael said to me after getting engaged was ‘I don’t want a long engagement!’. So, fast forward a quick eight months, it was our wedding day.

So, fast forward a quick eight months, it was our wedding day. I went into full wedding planning mode following the day we were engaged up until the day of our wedding. Michael and I both love things simple and classic. We envisioned a lot of greenery with white floral so I based everything else around this. Our centerpieces, bridal and bridesmaid bouquets, sweetheart table and various other elements of the ceremony and reception were adorned with various ivory roses, Italian ruscus, and white hydrangea.

It was simply stunning! It was just what we had envisioned: simple, classic and elegant. What was so special to me about our wedding was that I created and designed nearly every aspect of the decor. In an effort to be wise on budgeting (Who am I kidding? I couldn’t stop finding cute things to do and to get!), I didn’t collaborate with a planner or coordinator. I started with a blank slate and thought out what would best illustrate Michael and I together. I had a custom monogram with our initials created and included this in as many details as possible from the invitations, a large laser-etched Monogram on a boxwood wall in the foyer of the reception, gold foiled cocktail napkins, a sticker to place on top of the packaging of the late night snacks, to the dinner menus placed on each place setting.

Throughout planning, Michael would always comment on how much he loved the monogram. And to me, it made seeing all of that planning with our monogram throughout our wedding day come to life even better. There are so many things about that day that make me emotional still today. The absolute sweetest moment of the night was after everyone had finished giving their toasts, Michael went up to say a brief ‘Thank you’ to our guests. After he was finished, he surprised me and sang ‘Grow Old with You’ by Adam Sandler from The Wedding Singer to me. The most I had ever heard Michael sing is when we are together in the car listening to my Taylor Swift on constant repeat. Never did I suspect he would get up in front of hundreds of guests and sing to me. I will never stop replaying that in my head. I am still in awe of him doing that. Another was our surprise donut bar for our guests with the option to infuse their donut or donut hole with alcohol. It was so fun!

If there was one piece of advice I could give to brides-to-be, it is to remember to glance over at your new spouse and admire them throughout your wedding day when you get a chance. When things are going a mile a minute that day, looking over at them is the sweetest, most special feeling. It was truly such a magical day.

From the Photographer… One tip I wanted to share about this wedding was planning with your brides to ensure that there is time to shoot all her details. Since this was a church wedding followed by a reception a little more planning was involved. Emily had put so much effort into her design and we wanted to ensure that all of those details were captured. Emily and I spoke with the venue and they agreed to move cocktail hour to the lobby and lock the reception space until after cocktail hour so we could capture it. Planning this ahead of time was so important. If this had not been planned guests would have entered the space during cocktail hour and we wouldn’t have been able to shoot the space for Emily. The key here is reviewing the timeline and communication ahead of time.

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A Romantic Camp Lucy Wedding Beneath Enchanting Live Oaks

A place close to home in the heart of Texas with the essence of a far-away destination – AKA, the perfect recipe for Ashley and Clay’s dream venue. Safe to say the bride and groom (who by the way are the absolute CUTEST) got exactly what they wished for at Camp Lucy in Austin’s enchanting hill country. The ceremony was teeming with live oak trees and hanging twinkly lights… Twilight feels, anyone?! No detail was left unturned thanks to planning by Eclipse Event Co and blooms by Whim Hospitality, while Honey Gem Creative captured every awe-worthy moment. Grab the tissues and keep on scrolling ‘cause this one calls for major waterworks.

From the bride… I met Clay in 2015 at a Halloween party, but it wasn’t until the following September that we began to date. One of the sweetest things in time spent from that first meeting to our first date was having time to build a friendship.

Very early on we shared a certain connection that always had me feeling nervous and excited for the next time we would get to hang out, but as time moved on that nervousness slowly progressed to a feeling of calm and comfort when I was with him. He had easily become my best friend.

Clay asked me to marry him at the place we shared our first date, and saying yes was the easiest decision for me. We chose to get married at Camp Lucy because we wanted something that felt like a destination in our home state. The trees and greenery in the hill country made for a beautiful backdrop on their own, and Camp Lucy just further captured that essence.

We loved the big oak tree and hanging lights at Sacred Oaks, and the minimalistic beauty it had to offer. Since I chose to get married outside of a church I wanted something that showed God’s beauty in creation, and I felt this venue captured that for me. I chose the colors for our wedding to reflect a natural and romantic theme.

Our floral pallet included dusty colors of rose and peach coupled with leafy greens, and my personal favorite- dotted eucalyptus. The look was accompanied by gold accents and sparkling candles to add a little shine to the night. Rowen, at Whim, did a great job helping making my vision a reality.

The wedding would not have been a success without the help of our vendors! We worked with Tessa from Eclipse Event Co. Who was amazing! She was so calm and organized. She made sure everything went smoothly and alleviated any stress I could have had. Brooke, our photographer, captured our day perfectly. I loved how thoughtfully she photographed every moment just for us.

Bringing Garden Vibes to an Austin Ballroom at Hotel Ella

This Austin wedding is proof that you don’t have to stick with just one wedding style. Nope, mixing and matching can be downright gorgeous. Highland Avenue planned a day that blends bright and happy garden vibes with a classic ballroom backdrop, a champagne truck (!!!) and layers upon layers of sherbet colored blooms by Gypsy Floral. Get inspired to think outside of the traditional wedding style box with this collection of stunning images captured by Sophie Epton.

We met in Texas but do not live in the lone star state anymore. When we got engaged, we couldn’t think of a better spot to get married, than the place that brought us together! We chose to host a destination wedding in Austin, one of our favorite cities in the world.

We decided against a fully outdoor setting due to the inevitable Texas heat but really wanted to bring summer garden vibes indoors. Our florist, Gypsy Floral, helped achieve this with bright peonies and english roses and lots of deep greens, including a gorgeous greenery installation above the head table.

We held our ceremony at Central Christian Church, a beautiful downtown sanctuary. Bret’s youth pastor and a longtime family friend married us. Our reception was close by at Hotel Ella, a stunning mansion near the University of Texas campus that now serves a boutique hotel. It was the perfect mix of classic architecture and modern, updated decor. Our guests were able to enjoy the lovely veranda and pool area during cocktail hour! We then transitioned to the ballroom for dinner and dancing.

Our escort card table was particularly special to us. It featured wedding photos of our parents and grandparents. One of our favorite details was the champagne truck that greeted guests as they entered the cocktail hour at our reception! We decided on a table full of sweets for dessert, including two types of cake, mini-pies, chocolate covered strawberries and more. We also tried to incorporate small bits of our hometowns through the favors at the end of the night. We selected sea salt caramels from Alexandra’s hometown and beef jerky from Bret’s. Bret booked the getaway car – he loves Teslas, so we rode off in one at the night’s end after a sparkler send-off!

It sounds like such a cliche, but it really was the best day. We envisioned being surrounded by our closest friends and family, with lots of champagne and dancing, and that’s exactly what we got! We felt so much love and gratitude.

We also hosted several other events throughout the weekend and provided Austin-themed welcome boxes for our guests upon arrival, in hopes people would love the city as much as we do!

The Sweetest Texas Affair at Kendall Plantation

This sweet as can be Texas affair captured by Lucille Photo + a film by The Crakes is the true definition of classic. Elegant, refined details, gorgeous pastel blooms by Evember and a Bride and Groom with a palpable kind of love. From vintage getaway car to portraits in the rolling fields, this is a celebration not to be missed.

When it comes to planning weddings, there are couples that define the details of how their day should look and feel as they progress, making various decisions along the way. And then, there are couples who know from day one, without a shadow of a doubt, exactly what they envision.

For Delaney and David, there was no doubt…. Their wedding day would be one that reflected a classic and refined beauty; it would be elegant and intentional. At the same time, it would be a day filled with laughter and joy and most importantly, celebration! It would be beautiful, and it would most definitely be a fantastic party!

The classically timeless Kendall Plantation set the stage, as details came in piece by piece to pop against it’s clean and elegant, Southern-style backdrop. Delaney selected soft blush gowns for her bridesmaids and Evember created beautifully lush centerpieces, bouquets and accent florals in complimentary shades of blush and ivory.

Crisp and classy accents were incorporated into the day through sleek black and white invitations and paper goods and a vintage black getaway car. And finally, special touches and details were incorporated throughout: Wooden calligraphed signage and accent pieces; a borrowed alter table from their church; and a Groom’s Cupcake Stadium that paid tribute to their alma mater of Texas A&M.

The day was filled with so much charm and joy and an incredible amount of love. It was my true honor to have been a part of their day and to have worked alongside this team of talented artists and vendors.

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The 9 Most Loved, On Trend Bridal Hairstyles For 2018

I believe that I am responsible for the messy bun trend. I’m serious! And for those of you that just spit out their coffee, hear me out. I got married WAY back in 2005. And I told my cousin, who is the most amazing stylist ever, that I wanted a messy bun. And then she suggested a messy SIDE bun. And BOOOM. Mind blown. So that’s what I did and I am pretty sure that fireworks went off over Paris and the whole world took note. Okay I’m joking. Obviously. In all seriousness, the mess bun is still a thing because the world is awash with amazing stylists that are able to make a classic look feel modern and chic and right now no matter how long they have been around. So today, we’re talking the hottest bridal hair trends that originated from the classics..the Chignon, the Ponytail, the Up-Down Combo of Greatness. Paired with the most spectacular inspiration from the dream team – Birds of a Feather on design, Charla Stories behind the lens and Max Owens Design on florals and Fringe on beauty- this is one to bookmark before setting up your first trial.

Get it Twisted.

Twists are a BIG deal right now. Whether you wear your hair mostly down with a few twists going from the sides to the back, or you take a more classic hairstyle and update it with twists and turns, this is a look that feels both chic and sophisticated while still retaining a classic vibe.

Messy Braids.

Made famous on runways way back in 2014, the messy braid is still having it’s fashion moment. The bigger and chunkier the braid, the better. Stylists often supplement natural hair so that the impact of the braid can be more “wow” worthy. Whether you fishtail it, rope it, french it, halo it, waterfall it, chainlink it, braid it into a bun or a ponytail or another braid….make it big and beautiful and you will stay on braid trend.

Side Swept.

A bun or a braid, all up or all down or simply in beautiful waves…keeping things side swept ensures equal parts modernity and romance. It also means that in front facing portraits, you can see a whisper of what is sure to be your most beautiful hair moment.

Low Chignons.

“Chignon” is the French word for bun – though in the context of the way we often use it, Chignon is an abbreviated term, originating from the phrase “chignon du cou,” or “bun at the nape of the neck.” Chignons are usually considered quite formal and traditionally, have been reserved for black tie affairs. But, times are a-changing. The “it girl” style for Chignons right now is to incorporate twists and braids and keep it low on the head which can translate easily into just about any style of wedding from casual to classic.

Simply Styled Up-Dos.

No tendrils hanging down, no fuss, no pomp, no circumstance. Just a classic, well done up-do is and always will be on trend.

Complex Ponytails.

Ponytails are my favorite hairstyle. Especially with a simple, black ribbon. Swoon. But the word ponytail has taken on a way bigger meaning in the bridal world. It’s a finish to an already beautiful style. You can twist or braid the hair, you can wear it low and loose, you can wear it high and quite modern. And best of all, you can pull the fastener out easily at the reception for a casual alternative. They key to a successful ponytail and one that feels and looks more special than your average styling, is to hide the ponytail holders by wrapping hair around them or using invisible rubber bands to create a bit of depth and dimension.

Tiaras, Halos and Headpieces.

We’ve seen barrettes clipped to the top of a gorgeous messy bun, tiaras fit for a princess, or simple pearled halos that just add a little sparkle to your look. Headpieces are especially beautiful if you have a super sheer veil that shows the jewelry’s beauty or if you are ditching a veil altogether and need something to dress up your look. Vintage styling is definitely on trend right now, using antiqued brass and gold as a foundation with delicate, feminine jewels to accentuate.

Half Up to Half Down.

The beauty of the braid and ponytail trend is that you essentially can have two distinct styles that can stand alone or blend together cohesively. By creating interest on the top portion of your hair, then finishing with a low, messy bun or a long and lose ponytail, you can easily transition your look from more formal (ceremony) to more casual (reception).

Hollywood Waves.

The beauty of this style is that it works on both long and shorter, bob style hair. Any texture. Any color. It’s one of those looks that always feels vintage and modern at the same time. That bleeds romance. That looks high end and yet unfussy. Pretty, old hollywood style waves are literally never ever going out of season.

So what are YOUR favorite hair trends for the season? The best advice we have is to scour the web (and good old fashioned magazines) to find inspiration that you can share with your stylist. BUT. And this is a big but. (a big but not a big butt). Give him or her a bit of creative freedom. A good stylist will understand what you want while still taking into account the length of your hair, the shape of your face, the style of of your gown, the texture of your locks. Let them have the space to show you something really beautiful that riffs on – but may not exactly copy – the style you present to them.

Now, a little more about this stunning inspiration shoot from Charla Story… Inspired by the colors of spring, touches of Pantone 2018 ultra violet, and textures galore we created a garden party editorial with al fresco vibes and bridal beauty fun. The Nasher Scuplture center was the perfect mood to pair with our inspiration, the sculptures, and lush garden packed with movement in the art, fountains and beautiful large weeping willow, create a perfect atmosphere. Who doesn’t want to have champagne and enjoy dinner surrounded by such an experience.

Peony season is always exciting, with gorgeous tree peonies, our table is romantic, lush and inviting. Southern Fried Paper created menu’s on beautiful blue velvet that are soft to the touch, and add a classic elegance to the table top experience.

With a fashion edge to this shoot we wanted to showcase several bridal looks, showing brides to be what several options for an outdoor garden wedding, while having fun with different beauty looks, detailed gowns and bouquets!

I think of friends when I see this many brides in one spot, and nothing if more fun than playing dress up.

Riven Rock Ranch – A New Texas Hill Country Wedding Venue That Wows

Riven Rock Ranch is a terrific new event venue nestled in the serene Texas Hill Country. Our vendor team set out to showcase this rustic spot in all it’s country charm… with a little added feminine flair! Although this is a styled editorial shoot, it was as close to the real deal as you can get. Randa and Grant, have been married a little over a year now and their newlywed love was so apparent all day. By including a few real guests… some really yummy food and specialty cocktails plus a real couple (in real love), we turned this inspiration shoot into a true celebration at an amazing new Texas venue. ~ from T. Walker Photography plus a bunch of incredibly talented wedding pros!

Randa started the day by getting her hair and makeup done by Jax Studio, based out of San Antonio. She then got dressed in the main house at Riven Rock Ranch where she donned a gorgeous, sleeveless, lace Hayley Paige a-line gown with a plunging v-neckline provided by Bella Bride Boutique. She topped off the look with a pair of wedding-worthy Louboutin’s and dazzling diamonds from Nicole Mera Luxury Private Jewelry. In true feminine tradition, she also wore a stunning blush bejeweled garter from La Gartier.

Lively Events coordinated the entire day starting with a hilltop sunset ceremony that overlooked coastal fields. Chairs were provided by Peerless Events. The one-of-a-kind ceremony backdrop was made from copper tubing, hand-died cheese cloth and greenery from floral designer Reiley + Rose.

Our cocktail hour was set up on a grassy lawn directly behind the ceremony where SassTass & The Pour Horse, Mobile Bar Co served his and hers signature cocktails – Figgin Married + Lavender Bees Knees as well as a classic champagne tower. Guests enjoyed the romantic lounge seating area provided by SueBee Rentals.

Moving inside, into the reception space, a classic South Texas meal provided by Black Tie Affairs was served and included a tortilla station with fajita meats and sides. The reception decor was provided by both SueBee and Peerless and included hand-died cheese cloth, vintage glasses, gold flatware and hand-written place cards produced by Lazy Creek Designs. The head table was situated in front of the fireplace which was covered in a beautiful floral installation.

Randa & Grant also cut the 5-tier wedding cake provided by Cakes Rock!!!-SA. The hand-cut feathers covering the cake were said to have taken three days to make from scratch.

Ending the evening, the couple left in a vintage red and white, newly restored convertible Corvette.

What an amazing “almost-real” celebration. See more of this Rustic Wedding Inspiration with a Feminine Flair in the full gallery!

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Wedding Dresses

Hayley Paige

Spring 2014

Fall 2013

Spring 2013

Spring 2015

Fall 2014

Spring 2016

Blush by Hayley Paige

Hayley Paige Occasions

Fall 2016

Spring 2017

Blush by Haley Paige

Spring 2018

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Fort Worth Love Story With Such A Happy Ending

From Ambra at Query Events… Andrea and Aaron were amazing clients and an even more amazing role models. After Andrea was diagnosed with breast cancer while she and Aaron were first dating, he immediately stepped up to help care for Andrea’s two young children. He played a vital role in her successful recovery and asked her to marry him after the wonderful news came that her cancer was in remission. They share a beautiful love story and I was thrilled when they reached out for help with planning and designing their upcoming wedding.

Andrea came to me with tons of great ideas and an innate sense of style but needed help putting together a cohesive design. One of the most challenging factors was creating the elegant and soft look the bride was after in the very industrial venue our groom fell in love with. In the early stages of planning, I strongly encouraged the couple to utilize as much of the outdoor space as possible. Staying away from the masculine textures of brick, wood and stained concrete which composes the indoor space was crucial to the executing our airy design. Luckily our unpredictable Texas weather held up and the couple’s guest were able to share the beginning of Andrea and Aaron’s marriage under the stars.

The Venue at Waterstone Wedding ~ Rustic Elegance At It’s Best

Heather and Karson came to me from Lubbock, Texas to plan their “destination” wedding in the Dallas area. From the moment we began our discussions I knew Heather and I would be the perfect pair! When we started focusing on design, we quickly discovered a shared love of the color pink. We played with all shades — from the palest of pinks to the darkest fuchsia and then added pops of dusty blue. The outcome was sensational and the perfect way to soften the barn at The Venue At Waterstone…. from Query Events with photography by Lauren Peele.

More from Query Events…. Sadly, Heather’s mother passed away several years back so we started working on the perfect details to include her mother’s memory. We placed a photo of Heather’s mother on her wedding day and laid a floral crown composed of pink carnations, her favorite flower next to it. Knowing that carnations were so important to Heather’s memory of her mother, we incorporated mini spray versions of the bloom in each arrangement throughout the reception space. Every detail from the centerpieces to memorial video played during toasts brought the essence of her beloved mother into the room.

This couple was amazing to work with and together, we compiled an all-star team of wedding vendors. Lauren Peele Photography, a Dallas based fine art film photographer, captured each image to perfection. What an amazing day with two wonderful families!

From Eddye at SMP…. There are always those amazing moments that come forward when we watch the films that recap the celebration of your oh-so-special wedding days! Today, we have one of those for you! From Adam Grumbo Films, listen to the words captured in a few short sentences – words from the bride’s Daddy – words that will stick with her for a lifetime! Words that she will cherish forever and ever…. amen!! Turn the volume up and enjoy!!

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Then…. Enjoy the full gallery of images right here!

McGovern Centennial Gardens of Hermann Park Tented Wedding

On a rainy day in April, the heavens showered the Earth and blessed the union of Amanda and Matthew. From the start when they first met, these two dog lovers and vegans have been inseparable. The adorable couple celebrated their everlasting love with their family and friends at the whimsical McGovern Centennial Gardens of Hermann Park in Houston, Texas. ~ from Bear Hands Media Bridal Films

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By now, you should all know about how strongly Style Me Pretty feels about weddings and wedding films… the two just belong together!! See more of Bear Hands incredible wedding films, in all the various formats (Trailers, Highlight Films, Documentary Films even Save the Dates and Rehearsal Dinners…..) on their website!

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
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Wedding Dresses

Michal Medina

Gold Haute Couture Collection

Capsule Collection

Alice in Wonderland Collection

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Nasher Sculpture Center in Texas was the Backdrop for a Modern Garden Wedding

Putting together this wedding for you guys today was fun. Like brought me back to the very early days of SMP kind of fun where I couldn’t decide which images to share because there were so many good ones. But you know what? Despite the fact that the details were GORGEOUS and the backdrop by Engaged Events and florals by Abelia Floral Design stunning, it was the bride and groom that made me fall so in love…their total joy leaping out of every image, captured perfectly by Stephanie Brazzle. And while a wedding is innately a more formal day than your usual Saturday, this pair never seemed to take themselves so seriously that they couldn’t let the love keep center stage. This is a wedding for the books. I’m obsessed.

From the Bride… Every day, the summer before I met my husband, Peyton, I prayed for him. I have countless entries in my prayer journal where I prayed that I would meet my future husband by the end of the summer, not knowing who I was necessarily praying for, but praying boldly and specifically that God had laid this person on my heart and that this was his perfect timing. I met Peyton at the end of that same summer in 2015 at a young adults retreat that our church hosts every Labor Day weekend. We got engaged a little over a year later!

I loved the dreaminess of the Nasher Sculpture Center and after visiting a few venues, I knew that it was the perfect one for our outdoor wedding. We chose a neutral color palette of gold, silver and white with pops of navy blue and lots of greenery. I wanted whatever we added to the garden and museum to feel natural, so I chose some wood and marble accents to go along with the neutral color scheme.

The week of our wedding, I noticed that the weather forecast was constantly fluctuating between rain and sunshine, so I prayed multiple times a day for no rain, the only thing that could prevent my dream of an outdoor wedding. Little did I know, but Hurricane Harvey was to blame for the fluctuating forecast. The morning of the wedding and the day the hurricane hit Houston, it drizzled steadily in the morning and even poured for a short time, but I had a feeling that it would clear by the time we got to the venue. I had a peace knowing that God would answer yet another prayer!

Our Planner Whitney with Engaged Events called me as we were finishing getting dressed at the hotel that the team had concerns about the weather and wanted to move everything inside though the forecast showed that things were going to clear up later that afternoon. I had confidence that rain would hold off, so I told her that if things needed to move around slightly they could, but I wanted everything to be outside even if that meant something might get wet.

Whitney worked with the teams and made some slight changes in the reception layout were even better than we originally planned for the layout to be. I give her all the credit for helping me convince everyone to keep the reception outside. And I am so glad we did because we had the most beautiful August weather I had ever experienced in Texas! The rain had made it a cool(er) afternoon and evening, perfect for our outdoor reception.

Our photographer, Stephanie Brazzle, captured the day perfectly. There was so much joy and celebration on our wedding day, and each photo radiates the excitement and love we felt! She captured the dreaminess of the venue, the sweetest details and so many special moments that we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Pronovias

ATELIER PRONOVIAS

PRONOVIAS

Dancing Lights, Cruise Collection

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Flower Girls

Joanna August

Babes of the Nile

Ceremony

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The Creek Haus Wedding With Jewel Tones + Rustic Elegance

Texas weddings can be tricky… especially if you’re determined to have an outdoor ceremony. As this couple realized, they needed to shoot for Spring or Fall if they wanted any semblance of cooperation from the weather. So they took their time planning and went for a March wedding at The Creek Haus, a property of Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs. Read on for more from the Bride! ~photography by Austin Wedding photographer, Alyssa Nikole.

From the Bride… I knew from the beginning that I wanted an outdoor wedding. Living in Texas that limits your time frame to Spring or Fall, and even still it’s dicey. We chose March and lucked out with great weather.

My favorite memories from the day were having our pup, Finnley, be a part of the ceremony, seeing my parents’ reactions throughout the day, actually eating dinner at the reception with my HUSBAND, and dancing the night away. One thing that was important to both of us was writing our own vows. It was definitely a highlight of the ceremony, and there were not many dry eyes from what I was told.

The other details of our day really came about organically. The floral and mix-matched bridesmaid dresses really created the look and color inspiration for the day. To be honest, I wasn’t sure how it would turn out, but I could not have been happier. I created a color palette of reds, pinks, green, and navy, gave my bridesmaids an inspiration board (long, flowy dresses with varied textures), and allowed them to pick their own dresses. I had final approval, but ultimately, I wanted each of my bridesmaids to feel comfortable and be able to wear their dresses again. I then showed Petal Pushers my floral inspiration board along with my bridesmaid dresses and asked them to have the floral tie everything together. And they nailed it.

In order to save money, I did a few DIY projects for the wedding. My mom helped me make six white chiffon table runners, which we used on tables in the reception along with candles and greenery. I created the bar menu sign, cards & gifts sign, honeymoon fund sign, and bought a bunch of cheap gold and black frames which I filled with photos of Alvin and me together and ones from our childhood. The frames were placed on the reception tables. My personal favorite DIY project was our welcome sign, which I created from an old window pane I had held on to for a long time.

Now that the planning is over, my recommendations for future brides and grooms are to enjoy your engagement. The time will fly by, and a longer engagement (ours was 16 months) means having time to leisurely plan your wedding. Also, make sure you stay true to yourself. While friends and family may express their wishes for the day, ultimately do what speaks to you and will make the two of you happy. Pick what things are most important and what isn’t as important and use that to help find areas to save money and what to put more of your budget towards. For us, that meant Paperless Post save the date emails, opting only for photography and not videography, and re-using the bride’s and bridesmaids’ bouquets in the reception décor. In the end it is a celebration of love, so don’t lose sight of that. Everything will fall into place.

These Featured Designers are members of our Look Book.
For membership information, click here

Wedding Dresses

Enzoani

2014 Beautiful

2014 Blue

2014

2014 Love

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Dallas Area Wedding at The Grand Ivory with Flowers for Days

I’ve been waiting to share this wedding since the moment my husband, Tait, and I reacquired Style Me Pretty. To me, this is a perfect wedding. It doesn’t necessarily fit into a box, it doesn’t necessarily follow a script. You can simply feel the joy seeping out of every pretty photograph that Lauren Brandon snapped. You can sense the glow, the charm, the unabashed love. You instantly understand the purity and the beauty that the day brought based solely on the looks that grace the faces of this adorable bride and groom. And if you scroll down a bit, you get to feel like you were right there beside them with a lovely video from Lizzie Allen and a day planned by Lindsey Brunk.

From Lauren Brandon Photography… Savannah and Logan’s gorgeous whitewashed, airy wedding was brought to life with vibrant splashes of color by Moss Floral, set against a weathered white chapel only from your dreams.

No doubt that a wedding in January may be risky, but Savannah and Logan knew that the Grand Ivory was the venue they had always imagined from the first moment they saw the sweet white chapel overlooking the lake and fields that seem to go on forever.

Savannah trusted that Moss Floral would be able to see her vision for her colorful floral to warm this cold day, and did it ever. The bouquets spilled over with ivy, and peonies stood tall on the handcrafted farm tables, making the reception feel as bright and warm as a spring day. Savannah said, “ I didn’t know I loved flowers so much until I saw my – and my bridesmaids’ – bouquets. They were by far the most beautiful detail of the day.”

Savannah wanted to be sure to keep the wedding simple but elegant, and added more sweet, subtle details such as her pink suede shoes, and soft wine colored bridesmaids dresses. They added a fun touch to the groomsmen attire with striped ties! But in the end, the focus of the day – the marriage of two sweet souls – beamed brighter than it all. Savannah and Logan both said that their most memorable moment of the wedding was seeing each other for the first time as she walked down the aisle.

From the Bride… I was overwhelmed with joy when I walked into the chapel and saw everyone who was there to celebrate with us, and Logan tearing up at the end.

Savannah’s advice to future brides: When the wedding day finally comes, enjoy all the different emotions, feelings, and moments of laughter. Enjoy talking to all the people who came to support you, and enjoy the dancing. Don’t worry about the small details anymore because at the end of the day you will be married and that is all that matters.

The Prettiest Summer Color Palette at The Farmhouse in Texas

I’ve been saving this inspiration shoot for the perfect day. Smack in the middle of Summer where color reigns Queen and sunshine dictates the vibe. This, to me, is the very most perfect July wedding color palette on earth. Pinks and oranges and big old fashioned dollops of yellow that are set in such a shockingly lovely way against the simplicity of The Farmhouse in Texas. With a design by Jennifer Laura, crazy beautiful florals by Petal Society and imagery from Awake Photographers, this is one of those shoots that just might influence every last detail of your big day.

From Jennifer Laura Design… This shoot was inspired by our venue The Farmhouse, it was the perfect simple backdrop to this beautifully detailed shoot full of southern details! We wanted to create something that was fun, fresh, and full of personality. The idea of summer and fruit started the inspiration and drove the color palette- the pink tones with orange, and even verging into some of that bright yellow all came from the grapefruit.

Our florist Kristen (Petal Society) had this beautiful idea to create an arched centerpiece for our reception table and seating chart, which is such a showstopper and truly feels like something any southern bride would dream about.

We kept the details simple, classic, and timeless, while still injecting a shot of personality with the color and fun details like the grapefruit, and pink gingham ribbon. I also asked Heritage Macarons to create some custom hand painted macarons for us because I knew they would be the perfect favors for this “wedding” and she did not disappoint. Those macarons are like miniature works of art, way too pretty to eat.

Heartwarming Houston Wedding at the Hobby Center

Allison and Kyle are an incredibly gorgeous couple both inside and out. They’re an inspiration of love and instantaneously spread joy to all those around them with their kind personalities and infectious beautiful smiles. Best wishes to these newlyweds – may the warmth of your everlasting love surround you both forever. ~ Bear Hands Media

I am so glad you are here. It helps me realize how beautiful my world is. – Goethe

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You know how we feel about wedding films, right? Don’t let another day go by without booking your wedding videographer asap.

See more highlight films, short wedding films, trailers, save-the-dates, etc on Bear Hands Media’s website!

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