There’s nothing quite like a good ol’ Texas Ranch wedding, especially one photographed by The Nichols. And they know just how we like it…pretty with a whopping side of gorgeous details to fawn over. Held at the George Ranch Historical Park, this vintage inspired party is as unique as it is fun. The prevailing theme for the day? “Ad Vitam” – don’t worry I googled it for you all. It means “for life” in Latin. Adorbs, right? It made an appearance in everything from the ceremony decor to the wedding cake and we can’t seem to get enough. Join us in the gallery for a whole slue of fab details and a lot more fawning.
Click here to see the entire image gallery!
From the Bride… My husband and I have been friends since high school when I used to hook him up on dates with all of my best friends. I’m obviously not a trusted matchmaker. We have little in common besides our shared interest of Mid-Century Modern design which quickly helped establish a theme for our wedding–”late 50s/early 60s ranch wedding somehow including Steven’s love of rap”.
As for my dress, some of my favorite pictures of my maternal grandparents are those from their wedding day–my Grandma wore a tea-length dress and my Granddad looked sharp in his bowtie–I’ve just always loved that image of them. That made my dress an obvious choice–I knew it’d be tea-length but I obsessed over a Justin Alexander style (specifically one previously on SMP) which wasn’t at the shop the day we went to try on dresses. I’m pretty easy to sway though, my friends and our moms LOVED the Stephanie James dress once I had it on, and I was acting like a fool in the bridal shop over my excitement.
I think what initially set the stage for the wedding theme were our invitations, designed by Jennifer Blanco at Product Superior. Going with the whole MCM, rap, and cars–she created the most beautiful, unique suite of invites and ceremony program for us that fit our description perfectly. To save time and money, the main invite card was the only thing we chose to have letterpressed; printing was done by Workhorse Prints. I did the calligraphy-style addressing on the outer envelopes myself, which really only took a couple days and I preferred it to a more skilled calligrapher’s perfect hand.
Finding a venue was hard since we wanted something modern and historical here in Houston, but a friend suggested George Ranch Historical Park–a place we used to go on field trips–and once we saw it in person we were hooked. It wasn’t modern but at least it was historical and around in the 50s/60s so that kind of counts, right?
In choosing our photographers–that was easy. I’d pinned an old ad of the Nichols’ to my bulletin board long before we were engaged, and luckily they were available for our date so that was the first thing we booked. It was important to me to have creative, artistic photographs that we’d love and cherish forever. The Nichols gave us that and more and they’ll be our lifetime photographers as long as they’re in business. CJ Nichols also hand made our Ad Vitam neon which we hung on the tree at the ceremony, we wanted something simple and iconic so this was the only ceremony decor besides a rose-petal aisle and wooden hearts we made for those of us wearing heels to keep stable on the grass. We also booked Buzz & the Blue Cats as our reception band, 31FILMS for cinematography, Divisi Strings for the ceremony string quartet and our friend Vanarin Kuch at Tiny Boxwoods made us equal-sized bride and groom cakes. We are big supporters of marriage equality! Our local florist Karen Plumlee was in charge of the flowers and decor.
My advice to brides is to just trust your instincts and do whatever you want no matter how many people you think won’t get it or care or whatever, if it’s special to you, it’ll come through in the details and you’d be surprised how many people’s idea of a wedding will be changed for the better thanks to your unique approach.
Wedding Photography: The Nichols / Wedding Venue: George Ranch Historical Park / Wedding Cinematography: 31FILMS / Neon Sign: CJ Nichols / Wedding Reception Band: Buzz & the Blue Cats / Wedding Cake: Tiny Boxwoods / Wedding Ceremony Quartet: Divisi Strings / Officiant: Alan Safford / Floral Design & Decor: Karen Plumlee, ksplumlee@comcast.net / Wedding Dress: Stephanie James Couture / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Wedding Invitation Design: Jennifer Blanco of Product Superior / Wedding Invitation Printing: Workhorse Printmakers
| « Gowns by Ivy & Aster | Chanel Inspiration from Soiree + Tana Photography » |
About
Press
Advertise
Submit A Wedding
Contact
Terms Of Use
This is one of those weddings that just tops our list of "dream weddings to shoot." Jessica and Steven really put their own stylish stamp on their wedding day and created one of the most inspired weddings we've had the privilege of documenting. And these two are some of the coolest, kindest, most fun people you'll meet. We really lucked out with this one. Thanks so much for the feature SMP!!
pretty kickin' right? it's so fantastic to see a photographer and couple compliment each other's styles so well. also - can we get a nod to the so-perfect neon sign made by CJ Nichols? Let's see more of those!
I ain't gonna lie, I am totally freaking out. Thank you Erin, for the feature--I'm a frickin' huge SMP fan. Jennifer and CJ went above and beyond our dreams and captured our day so beautifully, we really owe them our souls.
this wedding is insanely fabulous...definitely saving it to my favorite's...the photography is amazing, and i'm in love with the invites & programs. not to mention how happy the couple look :)
I LOVE the heart stepping stones and those cakes are AMAZING! Just a beautiful wedding.
such a cute celebration! love the hearts the bridesmaids stood on!
love the light blue tulle under her gown! and the paper goods are absolutely amazing!
The Bride's tea-length dress, her something blue crinoline & her shoes . . . I'm dying!!!! Love the heart stepping stones too.
Where did you find the black footed vases? They are exactly what I have been looking for!!!!
Where did the groom get his bowtie? My fiance is trying to find one exactly like it.
Adore the shoes!
xo
Wow, I love their cakes! Beautiful!
I have a HUGE crush on this wedding. I really love it when people do something totally unique. That ribbon reception card? Too cute! The pink heart platforms so the bridesmaids' heels don't sink in the ground? Genius...
Devine!
@ KATY: the vases are from Jamali Garden
@ KELLEY: Steven's bowtie is this one from http://www.etsy.com/transaction/44107735 " rel="nofollow">KNOT NOW, the quality was so superb that my brother and dad also got theirs from the shop also. Made by hand in Brooklyn.
OMG, I'm in love with this wedding!
@Jessica - Did you make the wooden heart stepping stones, if so, how? If you bought, where did you get them from?? I'm on a mission to have these at our destination wedding, how I will do this, I don't know, but I will try:)
Dying over the shoes shoot! It's probably because I absolutely love shoes. :) I love when Texas weddings are represented.
That ceremony program is unbelievable! Love it!
The chocolate cake makes me want to lick my screen, the bridesmaids' shoes kick some serious booty, and Jessica, my dear, you rocked THE HELL out of that dress. Congratulations on what looks like a vibrant and joyful day!
I heart this wedding so much. The details are spectacular, and they are, of course, what makes a wedding memorable.
congratulations! everything is so very pretty, amazing photography and unique invites and program.
Oh wow! I adore the unique details I this wedding, the heart 'placemarkers' forth bridesmaids are the cutest ! Beautiful wedding!!
@ SARA: the hearts were very easy to make--it was about a $100 project that took less than 6 hours total. I've put together a little how-to for anyone who'd like to recreate them. Best wishes, let me know if you need any help.
http://www.hellodefine.com/2011/04/making-love/
@ SARA: the hearts were very easy to make--the project was less than $100 + took less than 6 hours total. I've put together a little how-to for anyone who'd like to recreate them. Best wishes, let me know if you need any help.
http://www.hellodefine.com/2011/04/making-love/
@ SARA: I'm glad you like them! The hearts were very easy to make--the project was less than $100 + took less than 6 hours total. I've put together a little how-to for anyone who'd like to recreate them. Best wishes, let me know if you need any help.
http://www.hellodefine.com/2011/04/making-love/
This has got to be the most ADORABLE wedding I have ever seen! I LOVE the bride's dress! I really like the vintage tones to the photography as well!
What a fantastic place to get wed. It is full of terrific details and textures and really ooozes vintage style. Love it!
I am in LOVE with the bride's crystal bracelet, can you tell me who the designer is?
@ LINDSAY: my bracelet is by ti adoro.
+ thank you guys for all the love :)
Great pictures! And beautiful shoes of course!
Just wow. I absolutely love the different BM's shoes and the paper suite is adorable!
love the colour theme, such a gorgeous wedding!
@jdefine - Awesome, thank you thank you! Going to try to recruit my brother right now:)
ok, where are the rings from? I am freaking out.
Where are the rings from???
@Ashley, just now saw your question about our rings; mine was designed by my husband and our jeweler, we couldn't find what we wanted so he made it up. His is from Tiffany, it's the 6mm 18k gold one.