Texas Weddings

I cannot wait to see the wedding of these two lovebirds. Seriously, these engagement photos from Tucker Images are proof enough that a stylish shindig is in the works. Until then, I’ll be in the gallery, poring over every little spec of love.

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Photography: Tucker Images | Coordination: Wedfully Yours | Styling: Wedfully Yours | Coffee Shop: Brewed

It goes without saying that I love weddings. I’ve been gushing about them for years now on the pages of SMP, but they truly never get old to me. Even though I am knee deep in them daily, the way a couple looks at each other still sends a flutter through me I just can’t shake. Take this couple for instane, who love each other so much it shows in every gorgeous picture snapped up by Jeremy & Kristin. It’s reason number 1,305 that I will never tire of swooning over nuptials, and you can see why here.

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Photography: Jeremy & Kristin | Floral Design: Blooming Accents | Cake: Sweet Memories | Ceremony Venue: St. Michaels | Reception Venue: The Ashton Depot | Hair + Makeup: WAFU Artistry | DJ: DFW Party Mix | Transportation: Scene | Coordination + Styling: Jen Rios Design | Gelato: Paciugo | Photobooth: The Traveling Photo Booth

You know what I love about this wedding?  Well, besides everything?  It’s the adorable bride and groom. A duo that dove head first into creating and crafting their big Texas soiree all of the way from Tennessee. It’s some serious dedication that totally paid off with a breathtaking affair chock-full of personality and, well… you know how we adore those.  From the sweet Oak Knoll Ranch setting to the succulent-filled blooms from Dr. Delphinium to an entire gallery of pretty from Dyan Kethley and Meredith Bacon, it’s the perfect start to your Friday.  Kick off the weekend in style in the full gallery.

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From the Bride… Chris and I dated long distance a year before I moved to Tennessee in May 2012 and got engaged soon after on September 1, 2012. We were so excited to get married and start our new life together as man and wife!

When we started thinking about our wedding, we wanted it to be a celebration of the union of two people whom the Lord brought together, but also of two families joining together—filled with the all of the people we love. Our wedding day was filled with family and friends from all walks of our lives; people who have impacted our lives and played integral roles in molding us into who we are today, surrounded us with love, support, and encouragement as we spoke our vows and committed our lives to each other forever. There were a few important family members that were not able to be at the wedding, namely, Chris’s Granny, with whom he is very close to. He was able to honor her by wearing her late husband’s, Chris’s grandfather’s, high school class ring. Chris also honored his other grandfather by wearing Doc’s cuff links that have the family crest embossed on them. I wore my great grandmother’s wedding band on our wedding day to honor and celebrate her life, as well.

The barn we were married at was on my family’s ranch. My Dad grew up on a farm in Ohio and used barn wood from the Ohio farm inside the barn on the ranch. The beauty in the reclaimed wood on the walls in the new barn is breathtaking, beauty not only from the wood, but from the story and meaning from where the wood is from.

Our wedding had lots of personal touches reflecting our relationship, loves, and passions. The look I was wanting was lovely, simple, and delicate. The delicate details to add beauty, simple decorations such as the burlap runners, and lovely—which was exquisitely captured by the barn and ceremony. My mom did a wonderful job helping with the flowers, and worked with the flower vendor based on pictures I sent her to capture the natural, soft look I had hoped for, and incorporated our wedding colors beautifully! The barn has a functioning antique photo booth, providing fun pictures for everyone! All of the barn antiques are a cool aspect as this is a love of mine that I share with both Chris and my Dad.

Chris and I absolutely love building things together and are passionate DIY’ers. We wanted to incorporate this in our wedding in as many details as we could despite the distance of living in Tennessee and getting married in Texas. Chris built the “family” signs for the tables as well as the direction signs for the wedding with wood from a pallet that he pulled apart. Chris’s mother and I spent several nights chalking, cutting, and fraying the burlap runners for all of the tables which were so much fun to make with her! I was able to make little things while in Tennessee to send home to use at the wedding, which appeased my adoration for “little lovelies”—things that would add beauty but not take away from the splendor of the barn. I wrapped jute around several letter “K’s” to put around the guest book table and the inside of the barn. My younger sister decorated a chalkboard that said, “Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy” on it, that was hung in the entrance of the barn. As a little surprise and way to honor Chris, a University of Tennessee Volunteer, I got UT orange garters and hand embroidered “Go Vols” on the toss garter myself in orange thread. As an Arkansas Razorback, I have told my new husband, I will fully support and cheer on the Vols at every game, until they play the Hogs. I also made each of the flower girl’s headbands, which were made of elastic lace ribbon, rolled rosettes of navy, white, and grey, and had little seed pearls in the middle of the rosettes. We added other personal touches through our colors: orange—for the University of Tennessee of course, yellow and gray—I have a small obsession with yellow and gray, and navy simply because we felt it complemented the other colors we chose. One of my favorite things was our guest favors—UT orange koozies that said “To have and to hold” on one side, and “The Kennedys, 04.27.13” on the other. I had the graphic design company I worked for in college make them which was fun to be able to include them in our special day. On our wedding RSVPS, we had each guest write in a song request when they RSVPed to our wedding, all of which were played during the reception. It was so much fun to dance with everyone on the dance floor, especially when the song requests came on—you could see the excitement in everyone to hear their song requests!

Another fun, personal touch is who married us. One of the officiants was one of Chris’s Dad’s very best friends, who flew in from Florida to marry us, which was very special and meaningful to Chris and I. One of our brother-in-law’s fathers also took part in officiating the ceremony, blessing us with a person from each side of the family uniting Chris and I in marriage. We asked each of our bridesmaids and groomsmen pick out their own dress and suit based on the color we gave them because we wanted them to like what they were wearing and be comfortable in it as well. The complementing shades of navy and gray and mixing of dresses was a stunning array of beauty lined up at the ceremony, celebrating each of our friend’s individual beauty, uniqueness, and how much they mean to Chris and me. We wanted our day to not be solely about us, but about the Lord’s provision and seeing us fit to be married, celebrating the people who have helped us grow into who we are, praising the Lord for who He is, and what He will do in and through our marriage.

We are so thankful for all of the vendors that helped make our day the special, joy-filled day it was. Thank you for everything!

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Photographers: Dyan Kethley Photography + Meredith Bacon Photography | Wedding Venue: Oak Knoll Ranch | Event Planner: Events by Kristin | Catering: Gil’s Elegant Catering | Floral Design: Dr. Delphinium | Tables: Shag Carpet | Chairs: M&M Special Events Company | DJ: It’s Your Night Entertainment | Wedding Dress: Alvina Valenta via Stardust Celebrations | Koozies: B-Unlimited Inc. | Cake: Two Chicks Cake Tricks | Hair + Makeup: Susie Gray Uphues | Bride’s Shoes: Milk & Honey

I’m bad at surprises. Love them! But I can’t keep a secret for the life of me, out of pure excitement. So, I love seeing others pull it off, like this sweet Groom did for his proposal to his Bride, immediately followed by a pre-planned engagement party with family and friends (bonus points!). Melts your heart, right? And it all led to the prettiest wedding day captured by Ivy Weddings, so well, that you wouldn’t even know a drop of rain fell from the sky. Visit the gallery for even more.

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After a year and a half of dating long distance, I flew to visit Jordan in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He had planned a beautiful, and totally unexpected, proposal on a cliff overlooking the Tennessee River. I was even more surprised when he took me back into town and there waiting for us was an engagement party filled with our family and friends. All of them were in on the surprise and had flown in from all over the world just to celebrate with us! It was a perfect day I will never forget.

We planned an outdoor wedding and after a week of perfect weather, a torrential downpour started just a few minutes before our ceremony. Jordan and I were both set on keeping our ceremony outdoors, so we waited until the rain slowed down a little and had the ceremony in the rain. By the end of the ceremony, the sun came back out and the rest of the day was perfect. I think the rainy ceremony made our wedding all the more beautiful and memorable. It was the perfect start to the rest of our lives.

[dotted] Photographer: Ivy Weddings | Ceremony Venue: Thistle Hill Mansion | Reception Venue: Reata Restaurant | Officiant: Michael Santiago  | Wedding Day Coordinator: Bethany Roszhart | Floral Design: The Blooming Bride | Wedding Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets | Catering: Reata | Invitations: DIY Design with Kimberly Kadlubar of Swoozie’s | Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero via Mockingbird Bridal | Bride’s Shoes: J. Renee | Hair Comb: Charming Charlie | Veil: Borrowed | Hair + Makeup: Shanna Gobin | Jewelry: Family Jewels | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Ann Taylor  | Bridesmaids’  Clutches: KellysKeepsakes | Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Charming Charlie | Men’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse | Ceremony Keyboard: Laura Cummings | MC: DoubleTake Productions

A post-wedding Bridal Session.  Now there’s an idea I can get behind.  Especially if it’s one that is as amazingly beautiful as this one captured by Charla Storey Photography.  Because if there is anything in the world as exciting as stepping into your wedding gown on your Big Day, it’s getting to do it all over again.  And with stunning florals from Kate Foley Designs and a crazy cool Brewed Coffee Shop setting? This should most definitely be mandatory.  Click here for all of the pretty.

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From Charla Storey Photography… We shot this bridal session with Bohemian-inspired flowers and hair at a hot new amazing coffee shop in Fort Worth called Brewed (it has an Austin or Anthorpologie feel to it, with amazing coffee to boot!) that opened in October! This bride is already married and decided it’s never to late to get your bridal pictures done! She got all dolled up and we shot her bridal images in time for Valentine’s Day! This shoot was so fun, whimsical and filled with yummy light!

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Wedding Photography: Charla Storey Photography | Location: Brewed Coffee Shop + Trinity Park in Forth Worth, Texas | Floral Design: Kate Foley Designs | Wedding Dress: Casablanca via Classy Concepts Bridal Boutique | Bride’s Shoes: Sam Edleman

I love a hand-crafted wedding, that’s a given. And when I read that this sweet-as-can-be couple crafted + created every element of their “I do’s”  in 28 days…well, let’s just say I was smitten. With the help of family and friends, the bride and groom transformed their private creek venue into a hidden oasis and, lucky for us, it was all captured to perfection by McGowan Images. Take a peek at the full gallery right here. 

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From the Bride… So, I must first start off by saying that none of what you see here would exist without the help of our amazing friends, family, and photographers! I know everyone says this, but I truly mean it. See, we planned this wedding in a month, four weeks to be exact. Joey and I have always done things a tad bit different, so after changing the date several times, we finally decided to just stick with our 6 month anniversary which also happened to be 28 days away. Yep, that’s right…28 days! I was also in school full time and working a part time job, so it was just absolutely amazing when everything came together perfectly. To those who helped us out, I can never thank you enough! 

The overall theme of our wedding was meant to be an eclectic gathering of all things “Joey and Jordyn”; even our location had significance. The Creek was the land where Joey’s grandparents and mom grew up and coincidently it was also where we had our first date. It was the perfect spot for us and allowed for much creative freedom. Joey and I have always been collectors, pickers, and lovers of all things with history. It really only made sense that we include things that we had found together or items that had been passed down within our families in our wedding ceremony. Everything about our wedding was very personal and each little detail represented a part of who we were as individuals and as a whole.

To add to that concept, Joey and I made the decision to get ready together on our wedding day. We threw tradition out the window and decided to do what sounded best to us. Besides deciding to spend the rest of our lives together, choosing to be together on the morning of our wedding was one of the best decisions we made. It allowed us to focus on what was truly most important that day, each other. And to top if off, our photographers, Chelsea and Mack spent the morning with us capturing every moment we spent together. They also traveled along with us for the rest of the time before the ceremony, making sure to capture memories of us in our favorite places that meant so much to us. I can’t think of any better way we would have wanted to spend the hours before our wedding.

Another aspect, which made our wedding even more significant, is the fact that Joey and I fashioned our ideas and dreams with our own hands. With the help of family and friends, we cleared out the whole creek area, built our own archway, laid out the stones beneath it, covered and set up hay bales, arranged our décor, wrapped numerous flowers with burlap, hung mason jars with twine, and so much more. Our flowers were mums, purchased from Walmart and my bouquet was created by one of my best friends with baby’s breath from Central Market.

It’s amazing to me looking back on our wedding and realizing how “handmade” it was, how every tiny piece and process that took place is streaked with love and devotion from our closest family and friends. I would say that it turned out to be a gorgeous wedding, but what made it most beautiful to me was the significance within every portion of the event. It was the perfect manifestation of everything we were as a couple and everything we wanted in a ceremony, our pasts, histories, and families all colliding together to create a new chapter. 

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Photography : McGowan Images | Wedding Venue: Private Residence in Wise County, Texas | Decor: DIY by the Bride + Groom | Wedding Dress: Free People

Mondays can always use a bit of inspiration, and thanks to Lauren Peele Photography and Devin Designs, your start to the work week with be nothing short of fabulous. Just one peek through this oh-so-fabulous gallery, and you’ll probably need to pick your jaw off your desk from the wildly gorgeous styling. It’s a pin-worthy pretty if I ever did see one, and you can get lost in all the stunning inspiration right here.

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From the Lauren Peele Photography…. For the table arrangements, I wanted a natural feel and soft colors, so I decided to go with fresh proteas and succulents. I then added in painted eagle feathers and pheasant feathers to complete the southwestern look. I hand painted and distressed all of the terracotta pots by wetting down the pots, adding water to white paint, painting it on with a wet brush and then sanding over the pots with a medium grit paper after they had dried. The process was easy, and the pots look aged and beautiful.

The name cards were another DIY project. I planted tiny cacti found at a local nursery in smaller terracotta pots, then hand wrote calligraphy on the cutout foxes, attached them to small sticks, and planted them in the pots. I then placed them on top of hand stamped geometric napkins and set them on top of Anthropologie plates.

The bride wore a Nicole Miller dress, that went with the relaxed theme, and I attached a vintage turquoise broach found at an antique store. For most of the shoot the bride wore a stunning handmade silver and turquoise head chain, and simple geometric silver earrings. The groom wore a grey fitted Calvin Klein suit, and a navajo print bow tie which tied his look together. HIs shoes were tied with red laces for a pop of color. The boutonniere he wore was made from feathers and succulents, and then it was wrapped in twine.

The cake was wrapped in rope, and adorned with succulents and other exotic flowers. The cake stand was another diy project. I had two slices cut from an old birch tree, and then covered them in mod podge to keep the bugs out. They looked very rustic, and we’re simple to make. The dream catchers were the main inspiration for the shoot. I knew I wanted to incorporate them, so I found an amazing vendor who hand crafted all of them so that they’re all unique. I then made a backdrop out of them by hanging them from the trees on twine. I had handmade leather fox masks made to match the fox name cards. They we’re so unique and fun, and really helped add a playful touch to the shoot.

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Photography+ Styling: Lauren Peele Photography | Floral Design: Devin Designs | Wedding Cake: Mugs Bakery | Wedding Invitations: Beacon Lane | Dream Catchers: Reina Jewelers | Fox Masks: Sundries & Plunder | Dinnerware: Anthropologie |  Table + Chairs: Period Charms Rentals | Fox Name Cards: Jonni Paper Goods | Napkins: The Apiartist | Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller | Headchain: Leslie Alexx | Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein | Bow Tie: Infinitie | Hair + Makeup: Tracy Melton Hair & Makeup Artistry

This couple and their dream team of vendors have created a whole new style of wedding, one I am unofficially naming Zoo Chic. Because never, ever have I seen such an elegant wedding worthy of the grandest of ballrooms amidst the flamingos and penguins. And for that, I simply must thank Emily Clarke Events and Branching Out. Because this Fort Worth Zoo wedding captured by Andrea Polito Photography is practically perfection, and you can see why right here.

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From Andrea Polito Photography… Lyndsey and Reid wanted a unique wedding that could also accommodate their large amount of well-wishers.  The answer to their dilemma was the Fort Worth Zoo.  With planning and coordination by Emily Clarke Events, the happy couple’s dream wedding came together beautifully with lush white floral and whimsical zoo details like elephant vases and grey animal table markers.  Additionally, a gospel choir preceded the bride into the ceremony singing “Oh Happy Day,” guests were treated to a live animal show during the cocktail hour and Lyndsey’s grandmother arranged for a live-event painter to capture the evening as a special gift.  After slipping into a gorgeous exit dress, Lyndsey and her father danced the Merengue and then the happy couple were off!  Lyndsey and Reid are a truly adorable couple and could not have been more deserving of their perfect wedding day.

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Wedding Photography: Andrea Polito Photography | Wedding Venue: Fort Worth Zoo in Forth Worth, Texas | Event Planning, Design + Invitations: Emily Clarke Events | Cinematography: Soulbox Productions | Floral Design: Branching Out | Catering: Cullinare International | Wedding Cake: Frosted Art Bakery | Groom’s Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes | Favors: McKinley’s Fine Bakery & Cafe | Entertainment: Ice House Band + Benita Arterberry Gospel Choir | Magician: Mike Williams | Juggler: Zerp | Animals: Fort Worth Zoo’s Wild Wonders Outreach Program | Lighting: Beyond | Decor + Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals +  Stageworks + Liland’s Special Events + Fauxcades | Draping: Dallas Drape and Lighting | Wedding Dress: Watters via Neiman Marcus | Shoes: Caparros | Groom’s Attire: Vera Wang via Men’s Wearhouse | Hair: Amy Johnson + Haylie Pittman | Makeup: Rosie Rios

We all remember our first kiss.  Whether it was middle school, high school, college or beyond, it’s one of those memories you just don’t forget.  And for these two sweethearts, it was more meaningful than most. Because their first kiss wasn’t on the playground or in the hallway outside of the dorms, it was on their wedding day… right after being pronounced man and wife.  Heartwarming, no?  Don’t miss a love-filled moment captured by Kristin Partin in the full gallery. It’s a must-see.

And a beautiful film from Tim Porter Studios for even more pretty…

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From Kristin Partin… Jessica & Josh are unique. I’m sure that probably goes without saying since most folks think of themselves that way. But… Jessica & Josh live out their life fearlessly and without a concern for others’ opinions or judgement. Jessica, a wedding photographer and Joshua, a striking (smarty pants) accountant, found their way to each other through similar beliefs. Both in their mid-twenties, not only did they wait until they found God’s perfect match to share in their first kiss, they even waited until their wedding day. I admired their courage and I found it strikingly unique & admirable. Their wedding took place under a giant tree in the middle of Celina, Texas during one of Texas’ rare cold fronts. It was windy, chilly and perfect for their delicate vows. Married by her father, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place… nor a parent hoping their children didn’t wind up exactly like said bride & groom. Needless to say, I was honored to have been a part.

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Wedding Photography: Kristin Partin | Wedding Venue: Chandlers Gardens in Celina, Texas | Cinematography: Tim Porter Studios | Floral Design: The Bride + Bridesmaids | Wedding Cake: Caroline’s Cakery | Wedding Dress: Jasmine Bridal

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.

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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

I’m totally head over heels in love with each and every detail of this wedding, not to mention the beyond adorable couple. From those super cool grey and white stripped ties on the guys, to the simple but elegant white curtain altar, this wedding proves that vintage touches with a modern edge are here to stay. And that makes us oh-so-happy. Sara & Rocky Photography snapped some seriously gorgeous images and there’s even more right here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Sara & Rocky Photography… Lauren and Troy were wed in Kennedale, Texas at Weston Gardens on October 12, 2012. Lauren and her dad made the draping backdrop for their ceremony, and she did all of the centerpieces herself.  The venue was gorgeous, with a “ship” the guys got ready in and an awesome bridge over the creek. So many beautiful nooks to get married in. Lauren lived in Dallas, and Troy had moved to LA to pursue a writing career. She moved to LA with him after they got back from their honeymoon. Not only are they two of the most beautiful people we know, but they have the sweetest hearts. 

Wedding Photography: Sara & Rocky Photography / Wedding Venue: Weston Gardens in Fort Worth, Texas / Floral Design: Sabrina Renterria / Wedding Cinematography: Eleven 29 Films / Catering: Rosa’s Cafe / Wedding Cakes: Lisa’s Creative Cakes / Wedding Dress: San Patrick via Lasting Bridal Couture of Addison / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Bill Levkoff

Ryan Ray and I are about to have our one year anniversary. We met at Jose’s photography workshop nearly a year ago and since then, we’ve had the sheer pleasure of falling head over heels for his work here on SMP. He’s also a pretty cool guy which makes the relationship that much sweeter. So when he sent us this Texas beauty, we did the usual swoon, smile, happy dance routine and then we realized that this wasn’t just a pretty wedding…it was a raw and emotional and real wedding where love took center stage. Just as they all should be. Oh and there’s an amazingly beautiful film by Candlelight Films to bring the feature full circle. Click here to see the full gallery of gorgeous images (including some ceremony shots that just might make you reach for the nearest tissue).

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From the Bride… Our wedding was the most peaceful, joy-filled day; I could not have imagined it to be any better. We really wanted the day to represent the glory of God that is in our lives. Everything we did was centered around wanting the presence of Jesus to come. The worship was powerful, and all the details were just perfect. Outdoors on a baseball outfield, the flowers, the simplicity of it all, the old barn — it all was so special. But the main thing I remember (besides the bomb dance party!) was the presence of God. We took communion and washed each others feet, and they were holy moments for us I will never forget. The whole day was full of friends, laughter and tons of tears, and I am able to say we really soaked up all of the moments and treasured them. Getting married was a blast! And just a side note for all the low-key brides — I highly recommend a coordinator: they rock.

Wedding Photography: Ryan Ray Photography / Wedding Venue: Howell Family Farms in Arlington, Texas / Event Design + Coordination: Stefanie Miles of Lavender Joy Weddings / Floral Design: Bows and Arrows / Wedding Cinematography: Candlelight Films / Wedding Cake: JD’s Catering and Coffee / Calligraphy: Swoon Fine Lettering (crfreije@gmail.com) / Ceremony Sound, Cafe Lighting + DJ: Colby Logan of Astounding Sounds / Artist: Carolynn Seibert / Wedding Dress: Wtoo / Hair: Katie Crumley / Makeup: Courtney McCormick (Ctmccormick@hotmail.com) / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew / Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Kingdom Come / Groom’s Attire: Wilke Rodriguez

Texas Brides have a way of filling their weddings to the brim – with details, with style and with so much love. And this lovely, ok drop-dead gorgeous, Bride is no exception. Her farm fête snapped up by smitten photography is overflowing with DIYs and steal-worthy style, but the thing that jumps through the screen and grabs my heart the most is the love. There is just so much love beaming from everyone’s face (particularly from one adorable ring bearer), and that’s when you know it’s filled to the brim with all the right things. See so much more lovely right here.

From the Bride… When beginning to plan our wedding, we knew there were a few things that we wanted to be the focus: our faith, relationships and incredible amounts of fun! We also knew that while we loved the mountains, we wanted to stay at home in Texas so that all of our family and friends could be there… We just didn’t know that would mean 400 of our family and friends! We needed a large venue that would capture the rustic feel of the mountains we love. My family already had a sweet relationship with the owners of Mainstay Farm just outside Fort Worth. and they were so willing and eager to serve us by having the reception at their family farm. We set the date for September 22. While I did have some visions of what I wanted that day to be, I am not quite creative enough to actually bring all the pieces together. Our dear friend and amazing wedding planner, Jenna Lee of Splurge Event Design, was really the heart and creative drive behind turning my little dreams into big dreams. Along the way, more dear friends would step in and offer their talents and resources to make our day possible. We had tons of DIY nights prior to the wedding to make many of the decor items we used at the wedding. Many hands went into creating burlap banners, paper garland and vintage lace lampshades, which made the reception look creative, personal and intimate. I wanted the flowers to be loose, colorful and natural. My mom’s sweet friends got together to make the bouquets, boutonnieres, and floral arrangements. Our Wedding Planner had the vision to make each table unique and vintage –  mixing flowers in vases, old jars, vintage silver and all sorts of containers to capture rustic details. The tablecloths were layers of burlap, lace and vintage crocheted pieces.

My dear friend, Marissa, worked all weekend to make 400 cupcakes from 3 different recipes she created just for us.  A wonderful bakery in Fort Worth, Stir Crazy Bakery, made the cakes. The dessert display was a mix of vintage cake stands, vintage scales and milk glass layered on top of a vintage dresser and two farmhouse tables. Each and every detail was so creative and so beautiful — I cannot help but smile every time I think about it! All of our printing, from Save the Dates, to our Custom Invitations, Programs and the Signs for the reception were made by our friends from Lola Lorena Social Supply. They worked endlessly to make every piece unique and perfectly fit us. On the day of the wedding, we were amazed to see it all come together. Ryan’s dad officiated our wedding. It was the sweetest, most surreal and amazing time of my life. We exchanged vows all based on scripture, kissed and were pronounced husband and wife! We spent the rest of the night celebrating at the barn with three different food trucks, the best cupcakes and cakes ever, and homemade Nestle ice cream sandwiches, which we did in place of a groom’s cake.

My dream since high school was to have Sharon Clark of Smitten Photography be my wedding photographer! She flew in the day before the wedding. I was blessed to have her joyful spirit with us that day and talented eye behind the camera. She captured everything from the tiniest details of the wedding and reception to the most breathtaking last few moments of a gorgeous Texas sunset with my new husband. It made the day so special and I am so grateful for her! Truly, this day would not have happened without hundreds of sweet people gathering around to serve us and our families. We could not have been more humbled and blessed by the journey of getting to our wedding day. It far surpassed my hopes and dreams. More than any of the things that made up our wedding day, I am so grateful to be married to my best friend and the love of my life.

Wedding Photography: Sharon Clark of smitten photography / Reception: Mainstay Farm in Cleburne, Texas / Venue Contacts: Marianna + Jim Wilson / Wedding Coordination + Design: Jenna Lee of Splurge Event Design / Floral Design: Ruthie McLaurin + Alicia Collins, Friends of the Bride’s Mother (paperwhitesandlinen@yahoo.com) / Officiant: The Groom’s Father / Food Trucks: Eliud Castro of Gepetto Pizzas (gepettopizzas@ymail.com), Russ Davis of The Drifting Bistro + Michael McDermott + Eleanor Burkett of Yes! Taco / Wedding Cakes: Stir Crazy Baked Goods / Cupcakes: Marissa Martinez, A Friend of the Bride / Ice Cream Sandwiches: Tom Potts of Nestle Tollhouse Cafe in Allen (214-383-5006) / Wine: J. Rickards Winery / Wedding Graphic Design + Paper Goods: Lola Lorena Ltd. Co. / Vintage Rentals: Traveling Vintage Rentals / Wedding Dress: White by Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Caparros / Bride’s Sash: Lace from Her Mother’s Wedding Dress / Bride’s Sapphire Ring: Borrowed from the Groom’s Grandmother / Bride’s Reception Head Piece + Bouquet Wrap: Made from Her Grandmother’s Veil / Bride’s Keepsake Piece Inside Her Dress: DIY by Her Mother

When Branching Out Floral & Event Design and Sweet Pea Events team up with a couple who has extremely gorgeous taste, and put Helmutwalker Photography behind a well-loved camera, what we have on our hands is a whole lot of perfection. A wedding that couldn’t be any more gorgeous. And an entire gallery worthy of a day or two of admiration!

And because we just couldn’t help but share, Lynn Films has a great highlight film we’re loving…

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/43021474 601 338]

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Ryan and I have not lived in the same city since we began dating during the last few months of our high school senior year in Fort Worth, TX. After high school graduation, we went to different colleges and after college, we pursued individual dreams in different East Coast cities. After eight years in a long distance relationship, Ryan proposed in beautiful Spring Lake, NJ (our East Coast weekend getaway) and we made the decision to return to our roots in Fort Worth.

Because friends and family from all over the country would be traveling to Texas (some for the first time!) for our wedding, it was important for us to 1) introduce them to Fort Worth and 2) share our story as a couple in a fun and entertaining way.

Ryan was such a sport about letting me chase my Style Me Pretty wedding dream. My bridesmaids wore blush dresses of their choosing and carried smaller versions of my bouquet. Created by Dallas-based Branching Out, the blush, green and white creations were filled with hydrangea, peony, ranuncula and rose blooms. The groomsmen and ushers looked so sharp in their classic tuxes with a single ranuncula as a boutonniere. One of my favorite details was my tutu-clad flower girl and the floral wand she carried as she walked down the aisle.

Following the ceremony at the architecturally-significant Marty Leonard Community Chapel, we kicked off the reception at City Club of Fort Worth with bridal party introductions and a dance-off, setting the high-energy tone for the rest of the evening. The reception decor’s heavy use of mercury glass and emphasis on candlelight worked so well with City Club’s mirrored columns and floor-to-ceiling windows.

As much as I love glitz and glam, I wanted Ryan to feel equally represented in City Club’s ballroom so I made sure to add as many personalized details as possible. We walked into the reception holding a UFC Championship belt Ryan’s groomsmen had presented us with after the ceremony (Ryan is a huge fan!). Guests sat at tables named after cities that played a significant role in our lives or relationship (New York was my home and second love for three years; Washington, D.C. is where Ryan went to law school). Guests were served a pink lemonade, orange juice, Red Bull and vodka-infused signature cocktail Ryan created and named “Jersey Shore.” Linen napkins embroidered with our monogram were placed at the head table. In addition to the four-tier bridal confection, Colleen’s Cakes masterfully recreated a UFC octagon with our initials for the groom’s cake. We sampled our wedding cake using a “I do, Me too” hand stamped cake fork set and served the cake with a “Love is sweet, Carrie & Ryan 5.19.12” hand stamped cake server. Our grandparents and parents wedding pictures were displayed to add a familial touch.

After dinner, cake-cutting and a touching toast, Ryan’s Jersey boys showed everyone how to tear up the dance floor. No one stopped dancing until it was time to release oversized white balloons during our classic downtown Fort Worth getaway – a horse and carriage.

It was so nice to share our wedding day with 100 family and friends from different stages of our relationship and we’re so glad that Helmutwalker Photography and Lynn Films captured the best night of our lives so perfectly.

Wedding Photography: Helmutwalker Photography / Videographer: Lynn Films / Wedding Coordination: Sweet Pea Events / Wedding Stationary: Paper Planet / Ceremony: Marty Leonard Community Chapel / Floral: Branching Out Floral & Event Design / Ceremony Trio: Bows & Strings, 817-534-5240 / Reception: City Club of Fort Worth / DJ: Specialty Sound / Cake: Colleen’s Cakes / Cake Fork Set and Server: Jessica N Designs / Getaway Car: Brazos Carriage / Transportation: Choice Luxury Limo / Wedding Gown: Wtoo, Natalia via Bliss Bridal Salon / Wedding Veil: Becky Fowler, 972-986-8067 / Bridal Shoes: Badgley Mischka, Lacie / Bridal Jewelry: Eisenberg vintage jewelry via Montgomery Street Antique Mall / Hair and Make-Up: Maitee Miles / Bridesmaid Dresses: Ali Ro, Asos, BHLDN, Rebecca Taylor and Yoox / Bridesmaid Jewelry: Bauble Bar / Flowergirl Tutu, Leotard and Headband: Tutus Chic Boutique / Groom and Groomsmen Tuxedos: Men’s Wearhouse

 Once upon a time, Zoo met Wedding, and BAM!  What an amazingly unique and fun recipe for a night no one will ever forget! The couple exchanged vows to the sounds of Fort Worth Zoo and in front of a gorgeous weeping willow. Wild animals mingled with guests during cocktail hour (no joke!), and animal-inspired details were scattered throughout the reception. Thank you, Stephanie Hunter Photography, for capturing the magic right here in the full gallery of photos.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Stephanie Hunter Photography… Louise and Brad’s vision was “zoo chic” — they wanted something vibrant, offbeat and fun, so they decided on a colorful fuchsia, cobalt blue and glitter theme. Bows & Arrows created awesome glitter vases filled with pops of pink and blue flowers. The sequin detail on the bouquets pulled together the glitter theme. The couple sent out paper confetti in their wedding colors with the gorgeous custom calligraphy invitations from Angi at Angelique Ink. For the ceremony, a simple, glittery “Forever & Ever” banner marked the altar on a deck that overlooked the zoo. Slowly-burning tiki torches and the sounds of wild animals accompanied the couple as they said their vows in front of a massive weeping willow that fluttered in the wind. Dinner was held in an art gallery at the zoo and for seating arrangements, little envelopes in the wedding colors had the names of their guests, but they included legendary couples such as “William & Kate,” “Fred & Wilma” and “Romeo & Juliet.” During cocktail hour, guests signed a DIY scrapbook made by Louise and offered wishes and advice. The kicker was the presence of the animals for the “Wild Wonders Show” where an owl, a boa and a penguin all made an appearance! While the family was taking pictures, guests sipped on cocktails and mingled with the animals! But the most important presence were the couple’s friends and family, who traveled from far and wide to love, support and celebrate Louise and Brad’s big, fun, joyous day.

Wedding Photography: Stephanie Hunter Photography / Ceremony: Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas / Reception: Portraits of the Wild Art Gallery at Fort Worth Zoo in Fort Worth, Texas / Wedding Coordination: Jamie of Fort Worth Zoo / Floral Design: Alicia Rico of Bows & Arrows / Officiant: Rev. Denise Luper / Catering: Culinaire International / Wedding Cake: Heidi Alison of Sugar Bee Sweets / Wedding Invitations: Angi of Angelique Ink / DJ: Shawn of A Very Special Day / Wedding Dress: Alfred Angelo / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Angelo / Men’s Suits: Men’s Wearhouse

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

Click here to see the full image gallery!

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

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

Many things can inspire a wedding theme but for this Bride it was the family heirloom ring on her left finger. And from that vintage piece spawned an idea for a gorgeous vintage wedding set against the greenery of Fort Worth. Photographed and filmed by the double threat, The Bird & The Bear, this beauty is awash with the sweetest of details and even a dolled up pup or two. See so much more right here.

From the Bride… When we started planning the big day I knew we wanted something that was vintage and romantic. Since we are both older, we thought the vintage feel was appropriate. My favorite color is green, so that was where the green played a role. Since my business is staging and redesign, the ambiance of the theme was a major concern for me because I wanted my guests to really feel what Ali and I were looking for on our big day. Most of the furniture has been in my family for generations, so it was incorporated into the props. My center stone of my ring has been in my family since the late 1800s, so that too played a role in choosing the vintage feel. Also, the lace table cloths were actually old window treatments form my grandmothers house. 

Some of my favorite moments were when my mother and aunt put my grandfather’s work shirts on to get their makeup and hair done. Since he passed away several years ago, those shirts made me feel like he was present (even if it was only for a moment). When Ali and I both incorporated his yellow socks into our vows, I knew we are going to make it! When my mother, aunt, and I were putting on my dress, we had a moment of laughter and tears that will only happen once. Also, our dog Nola was crying through the whole ceremony, which made me giggle inside and helped me from crying my eyes out. It feels like I’ve been planning this day forever, and it was over in the blink of an eye.

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: The Bird & The Bear | Photography & Films / Wedding Venue: Weston Gardens In Bloom in Fort Worth, Texas / Event Design + Planning: Teresa Francis / Floral Design: Nancy Poe / Wedding Cakes: Melanie’s Cakes and Sweets / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Makeup: Betheny Levine

Winery weddings seem to make wedding-loving folks like ourselves a bit giddy. The surroundings are guaranteed to be stunning and the couples that choose these pretty venues always seem to be darling. Well this Monday morning, Jess Barfield Photography is bringing us just such a sweet soiree. It’s a beauty for sure, and the full gallery of images is the perfect way to start your day!

From the Bride… When we first got engaged, I had a vision of a small backyard-type wedding with only our closest friends and family, but Marius had a vision of a traditional wedding with a huge party for the reception. After talking over what was most important to us, we realized that we actually wanted the same thing — an event that felt like “us,” was a whole lot of fun and involved everyone who was important to us. We decided to throw out tradition and anything we felt like we “had” to do and just do things our way. We stopped worrying about what anyone else would think, and in the end, our wedding was perfect and exactly what we wanted.

We had both the ceremony and reception at a local winery, and the complimentary glass of wine for guests as they arrived was a big hit! Our outdoor ceremony had very little additional decor because we wanted the natural setting to speak for itself. The only thing we added were jars of hydrangeas hanging from shepherds hooks along the aisle that were thrown together very last minute by my bridesmaids! We were able to incorporate some Filipino traditions into the ceremony, which was important to Marius’ family. We made a chalkboard program instead of having a traditional paper program — I bought a frame from a thrift store and painted over the picture with chalkboard paint. We also decided that instead of a traditional guest book, we would have guests sign corks, and I love having them on display in a hurricane in our living room now.

All of the reception decor was also made by us. Again, we wanted things to feel simple and natural, so we hung our own cafe string lights under the tent, made table numbers out of old wine bottles, cut table runners from burlap and purchased stems of white hydrangeas to put in mason jars on the tables. For the escort cards, I used manila hang tags and pinned them to a homemade fabric cork board that was also made from a thrift store frame. I had originally wanted to hire someone to do all of the decor, but we decided to DIY to save money, and that turned out to be our favorite part of wedding planning! Overall, we were absolutely in love with our wedding day, and I think the biggest reason (besides marrying each other, of course) was because we stayed true to ourselves and created an event that had everything we wanted and nothing we didn’t.

Wedding Photography: Jess Barfield Photography / Wedding Venue: Lone Oak Winery in Burleson, Texas / Floral Design: Bella Flora of Dallas / Catering: Reata Restaurant / Wedding Cakes: Sugar Bee Sweets / DJ: Craig Smith of LeForce Entertainment / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal + Custom Alterations / Bride’s Sash + Hairpiece: Handcrafted Affairs / Hair: Goldwaves Salon / Makeup: Erin Blair Gobin / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: J.Crew, Nordstrom, Zara + Custom / Kimono Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar

I’m head over heels for every last darling detail of this charming Fort Worth affair by Michelle Edmonds Photography, but it’s the story behind the day that has really touched my heart.  Because not only were these adorable lovebirds married in the backyard of the bride’s own family home, but the bride wore her grandmother’s vintage wedding gown and the groom wore his grandfather’s wedding ring.  And if that weren’t enough to bring the happy tears, they were even married under an arbor built by the father of the bride.  It just doesn’t get any sweeter than that.  Click here for even more.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Cameron and I knew we wanted our wedding to reflect our personalities. We wanted it to be “us.” We are goofy nature-enthusiasts with a love of crafts and all things vintage. We are also very family-oriented and wanted our wedding to honor our family members who have always shown us great love and support.

We decided to have our ceremony and reception in the backyard of the house that I grew up in, in Fort Worth, Texas. I have great memories in that house and it made for a very intimate wedding. My parents worked tirelessly throughout the summer tending to their wonderful garden to make it picture perfect for the big day (we had over 70 days that were over 100 degrees this summer in Texas, so keeping the plants alive was a great challenge!). In addition to all of his hard work in the yard and help with crafts, my dad found the time to build a beautiful cedar arbor for us to be married under.

I wore my grandmother’s wedding dress that she wore when she married my grandfather in the 1950s and I carried a handkerchief that both my mother and sister carried on their wedding days. In keeping with our love of family and history, Cameron used his grandfather’s ring as his wedding band and we decorated the dance area with family pictures and old postcards.

Our wedding was in the fall so we used yellows, oranges, and deep purples in our color palette. We put together our own flower arrangements (using red rovers, sunflowers, daisy poms, and stock flowers) for a “just picked” feel and used a variety of glass jars, bottles, and vases that we had collected in the months prior to our wedding. To continue the fall theme, we had pumpkin-spice cupcakes… yum! Cameron and I worked together on most of the wedding crafts which we found by looking through wedding blogs and magazines. We made most of the decorations ourselves which gave the wedding a very personal touch. We created string lanterns to hang above our dance floor, memory vases to honor our family members that were no longer with us, rick rack boutonnieres, and cupcake stands from vintage plates and candleholders that we found at Goodwill. (It cost us only $13 to make three cupcake stands!)

As vegetarians and nature lovers, we wanted to make our wedding as environmentally friendly as possible. We had re-usable glass mason jars for drinks, vegan food, vegan cupcakes, and plantable wildflower seed paper for our favors.

We ended the night with a lavender toss as we made our way to my Dad’s 1957 Chevy (that the groomspeople decorated so well), surrounded by our beloved family and friends. It was a perfect day filled with love and lots of laughter that we will not soon forget.

Wedding Photography: Michelle Edmonds Photography / Event Planning: Chrissie Stuntz Events / Bride’s Dress: Vintage (the Bride’s Grandmother’s) / Bride’s Shoes: Liz Claiborne / Bridesmaid Dresses: Naughty Shorts / Flower Girl Dresses: vintagevalise / Groom + Groomspeople: Vintage Stores / Catering + Cupcakes: Spiral Diner / Cake Topper: ReadyGo / Favors: PulpArt / Ceremony Music: Jan Ryberg / Tables + Dinnerware: Taylor’s Rentals

This pretty as can be bride is one lucky lady. She has a beyond talented family who helped bring her big day to life – her sister was there to beautify her hair, and her brother, of The Flower Bucket, is the talent behind all the gorgeous blooms prettying up this post. The entire family affair captured by Ivy Weddings was traditional with a twist of fabulous color, and you can see it all in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the FULL wedding!

From Ivy Weddings…Rosa and Kurney planned a classically elegant wedding, with beautiful details, and a fairy tale finish (horse drawn carriage and magical city lights!). Throughout their wedding, everyone we spoke to reiterated to us how important it was that our couple have a beautiful and magical day… “because they absolutely deserved it.” From the breathtaking flowers by Rosa’s brother, to the bride’s hair by her sister, and her cocktail dress made by her aunt, everyone joined together to make sure that Rosa and Kurney had a perfect day…and it really was!

Photographer: Ivy Weddings / Venue: City Club of Fort Worth / Bride’s Dress: Angelina Faccenda / Bride’s Cocktail Gown: Carmen P. Rios (Bride’s Aunt) / Bride’s Shoes: Kate Spade / Bride’s Hair: Xsalonce by Patricia Rios (Bride’s Sister) (254-247-2200) / Bride’s Makeup: JTorry Makeup Artistry / Bridesmaids Dresses: The Dessy Group / Groom and Groomsmen Suits: Calvin Klein / Band: The Project / Flowers: Rafael Rios (Bride’s Brother) of The Flower Bucket / Cake: Sublime Bakery / Officiant: Reverend Chris Marx