Texas Wedding Ideas and Inspiration - Style Me Pretty

How to Incorporate Fairytale Elements Into Your Wedding Decor Without Compromising Elegance

Disney fans – this one’s for you! If you’d love to incorporate subtle elements of that enchanting fairytale feel to your wedding day, but have no idea how to keep your decor looking timeless? Don’t worry, Heather Benge Events has got you covered. From an elegant tiara to a Cinderella-inspired color scheme, today’s shoot at The Olana is the your perfect blueprint for a fairytale wedding that will never go out of style. Head on over to the full gallery to see all the details, captured by Branson Maxwell!

From Branson Maxwell… This styled wedding is the perfect inspiration for brides wanting to incorporate fairytale aspects into their wedding without compromising elegance and class.

As the couple twirls through the ballroom amongst all of the stunning details, you can’t help but think of Cinderella and her prince.

The light blue and light pink pair perfectly with the gold accents and are the exact colors from the famous Cinderella fairytale. The bride’s ballgown and tiara are just what a princess would wear, and what bride doesn’t want to feel like a princess on their wedding day?

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An Intimate Backyard Ceremony for the Most Adorable High School Sweethearts

Trust us when we say these two have a love story that could make fairytales jealous. After meeting in high school, getting engaged on the beautiful Big Island of Hawaii, and planning their dream wedding – you better believe they wouldn’t let this crazy pandemic get in the way of celebrating their love and starting their forever. To see all the details from their intimate backyard ceremony (included the sweetest four-legged friends), head on over to the full gallery – all taken by May Carlson Photography!

From the Bride… Theo and I met in Oahu, Hawaii in 2011 as high schoolers. On this magical island, we had our first date, shared our first kiss, and for the first time, exchanged “I love you’s.” 3 years later, we have officially become Texans and, from time to time, visit that special island we once called home. In July of 2019, we took a trip to visit Theo’s parents in Hawaii and celebrate the Fourth of July. What I didn’t know is that my now-husband was planning to add another “first” to our list of memories together.

We stayed at the Waikoloa Hotel on the Big Island when Theo surprised me with a date night for two! As we walked down the grand staircase and towards the water, I took in the sweet smell of the salty air and the vibrant blues and greens of the turtles and fish in the lagoon. I can still recall the butterflies in my stomach when I saw Theo drop down to one knee and ask me to spend forever with him, to which I exclaimed, “YES!” After several minutes of happy tears and warm hugs, we headed to our hotel as Theo insisted we wait to make calls to my family until we were with his parents. To my surprise, when we arrived to our room, both of our families greeted us with champagne and congratulations! This day – the first day of the rest of our lives – was filled with love and happiness that we will cherish forever.

We worked so hard to organize the perfect day and after so much planning and scheduling we had every detail completed. Once we were about a month out from our big day, Covid hit and the stay at home order was put into place. We knew it wasn’t going to be exactly as planned. If there’s one thing we did know, it was that we wanted to take this next step forward and become husband and wife no matter what.

With the grace of fast WiFi, expedited shipping, the best bakery still being open and the support from our family and friends – We had a small intimate ceremony at my husbands parents house while my parents and sister attended through a Zoom call and our friends and family watched on Facebook Live.

We spent every moment taking in every second. It wasn’t about all the small details to make a perfect wedding, it was about celebrating our love and how far we’ve come from meeting 8 years ago in high school to creating a beautiful marriage today. This experience brought us closer and allowed us to focus on our love. We spent the night dancing in the living room with our dogs, eating lots of cake and feeling so much love from our family and friends all around the world. It was the best day of our lives and it was nothing as we expected – It was even better!

A ‘Staycation’ Honeymoon That Will Have You Rethinking Your Plane Tickets!

Before you pay for plane tickets for the ultimate destination honeymoon, you need to check out this couple’s ‘staycation’ honeymoon captured by Kristin La Voie Photography! For these two who have experienced their fair share of traveling and a partial long-distance relationship, home sounded like the perfect honeymoon for them. Lauren Field Design helped create a simple, relaxing, and romantic getaway for the couple and let their love steal the show. Check it out below and be sure to read the details of their heartwarming love story!

From Riley and Jack…Jack and I started dating 10 years ago in Charlottesville, Virginia. 6 weeks into our relationship, he’d spend 3 months in South Africa for a humanitarian project. We would speak once over the course of that summer. When he returned, it was as if we had never met. Another year together before Jack would visit South Africa again, me off to Brazil. This time we’d email incessantly, hearts aching. A few more months together before Jack would graduate and move to Nashville where he’d pursue his masters at Vanderbilt while working at their psychiatric hospital. For 2 years, every month and sometimes twice, I’d drive 18 hours to fall into his arms and revel in 48 hours together. I’d watch him grow into a strong, spirited man.

He’d support me as I navigated self-discovery. I would receive my degree and, to save something rare, I’d move to Nashville. 4 years, 3 cities and 2 countries later, on a rock in the middle of the ocean, he’d ask me to marry him. I know that the ring I wear on my finger is not materialistic nor trite. It is symbolic of something intangible, even ethereal. It stands for adventure, devotion, patience; elusive elements of any 2 humans’ bond. I look at my hand, I look at his face, I think of our 9 years together and I am amazed by our love. I think it couldn’t be real. It couldn’t be mine. But no. It is real. It is true. It is ours.

From Lauren Field Design…We were privileged to work with Riley and Jack and to tell their honeymoon story in the Hill Country of Austin. Although both of them are well-traveled, their staycation was relaxing, simple, and fun. We wanted to capture the beauty of their authentic connection in a leisurely way as they spent time together around the property.

A Multicultural Farmhouse Wedding With A First Look That Brought The Groom To Tears!

For today’s Indian American wedding, the couple beautifully fused together their two cultures with a minimal farmhouse style wedding mixing in traditional Indian garb, but not with your typical brightly colored sari’s. Bride and groom tied the knot at The Farmhouse in a small Texas town with their closest friends and family, which led to an emotional day from the first look to their ‘I Do’s!’ Paige Vaughn Photo captured all the magic including the perfectly planned details by Unveiled Bliss and a stunning floral chandelier by Monica’s Brides. Take a peek below to see all of the love and all of the emotions!

From Paige Vaughn Photo…Caroline, originally from India, and Kyle, originally from the northeast, fused together their two cultures to have an epic Indian-American wedding just outside of Houston, Texas- one that combines the best of modern minimalism and farmhouse style with chic Indian traditions.

For the year leading up to the wedding, Caroline and Kyle fought tirelessly to bring Caroline’s parents and brother to the U.S. but were faced with endless roadblocks because of American immigration policies. A few days before the wedding, the couple was overjoyed to find out they’d gotten a last-minute visa approved for the bride’s family.

With a planning process like that, it was no wonder why the day was so emotionally-charged. Outside of the aesthetics of the wedding, my favorite moment was the heart-breakingly precious first look where Kyle broke down in tears.

The couple dressed in American wedding attire for their ceremony, while having the bridesmaids dress in traditional saris. During the reception, the vibe transformed as traditional Indian drummers and dancers paved the way for Caroline and Kyle to dance the night away in their Indian clothing (a stunning neural set – a juxtaposition to the typical bright Indian wedding clothing). The day was a perfect balance of elegance and fun – you’d never guess the party went down in a small Southern town.

As for how they met, Caroline and Kyle’s first date was in Houston, at a cozy restaurant and it entailed hours and hours of chatting and hitting it off. They liked each other so much that they decided to go for a run the very next morning – A RUN, I KNOW. If that isn’t a match made in heaven, I don’t know what is. Flash forward and these two decided to make it *official* on the banks of Lake Como in Italy.

You Just HAVE To See The Unique Details Of This Wedding….Especially How The Bride Walked Down The Aisle!

It’s all in the details….and the bride’s vision! This bride knew exactly what she wanted from floral accessories to a ‘no color’ color palette to a mirrored aisle, and May Carlson Fine Art Photography captured every bit of it perfectly! A Simple Taste of Elegance pieced together exactly what the bride envisioned for her magical wedding day, and Vintage Bouquet helped those dreams come true with a floral crown and cuffs – accessories that made this 18th century inspired garden party come to life! Check it out below, and take note of the brides TWO stunning gowns!

From the Bride…We met in late 2014, we both worked in the Cardiothoracic ICU. He is a critical care nurse and me, a Respiratory Therapist. I noticed him first, a nurse that took his job so very seriously and cares for his patients like he would his own mother. Our first date was at the Pearl Brewery in San Antonio, Texas. After two years of dating, we flew to Portland Maine to chase waterfalls and catch lobsters. On July 24th, 2017 we took a day-long waterfall tour. It was our last stop, Angel Falls. We hiked up the beautifully scenic Mountain Brook, crossed multiple mountain streams. When we made it to the top, we faced the set of plunging waterfalls and he proposed. It was intimate and very well planned. We enjoyed our 2 and half year engagement with lots of traveling and lots of food. We married on March 7th, 2020.

My Vision:
A Catherine the Great 18th Century Garden Party. An outdoor wedding with a String Quartet playing Classical Music was a must.

Color Palette:
I preferred to not have a “color palette” per se, I requested neutrals, I only wanted colors that naturally occur in nature. I had complete trust in my florist, she had the freedom to create as she pleased.

Style Vision:
ELEGANT TIMELESS GLAMOUR. My hope is when these photos resurface after many years, the style will not be affected by the passage of time.

Unique elements:
Mirror Aisle which was a custom creation. 8ft width x 40ft Length (my Victor Harper Couture Ceremony Gown was quite large).
Flower wall for our Ceremony and Mini Flower wall for our Cake table.
Floral baby’s breath Arm cuffs
Floral baby’s breath Halo inspired by Cicely Tyson
Milk glass centerpieces which I handpicked for each table, no duplicates. These were given away to family as gifts.
My Victor Harper Couture Ceremony Gown had 3 beautiful shades of brown tulle incorporated in the skirt.
String quartet for the Ceremony and Reception.

My favorite moment:
Walking down the mirror aisle to the sound of the String quartet. So many emotions!

Favorite crafted detail:
Mirror aisle/Floral wall/Arm cuffs – I can’t choose just one!

Flowers:
Blush Ranunculus, Soft Blue Tulips, Cherry Blossoms, Sweet Peas, Blush Garden Roses.

Gown:
Ceremony- Victor Harper Couture – satin strapless mermaid gown with draped and jeweled bodice and jaw-dropping layered multi-colored tulle train. Reception- Marchesa Notte with 3D whimsical flowers and tulle overlay, minor alterations were made.

Favors:
My Husband’s Aunt owns a Taiwanese bakery, she made us her famous mini pineapple cakes for our guests to take home!

Cake:
A 3-layer Creme Brulee cake with white chocolate Brush Strokes for aesthetics.

Advice for Brides-to-Be’:
Start planning early! Do not compromise your vision! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE have a wedding planner, this is the only way you will be able to enjoy your big day with NO STRESS.

How to Make a Major Statement With Your Engagement Photos

Trying to figure out a way to make your engagement photos really pop!? Take note from this stunning couple who went bold with their attire – and the results are everythinggg. You might even recognize the handsome soon-to-be groom from today’s rooftop engagement session, Damontre Moore – pro football player for the San Francisco 49ers! Oh, and before you go, don’t forget to check out the full gallery photographed by Ivy Weddings!

From Ivy Weddings… Tiara and Damontre are a power couple in every way! They are so in love and so much fun to be around, and their style and personalities shine. They are a dynamic duo dedicated to making a difference in the community, and between her role as the founder of a non-profit for young ladies and their empowerment, and his role as an NFL pro football player, they are doing just that.

Their rooftop engagement session was the culmination of the vision and style of a leading team of female Black vendors, all hand selected by the bride and groom. Ivy, the founder of Ivy Weddings, captured the images and worked with Shantay of Expressions of Decor who brought the artistic and Spring-inspired florals to life for a stunning downtown Dallas session. Brans Artistry did Tiara’s hair and makeup, Yolanda Haley coordinated, and clothing styling was by celebrity fashion stylist Tiff the Zeta. We are in love with our stunning couple and their images!

Photography: Ivy Weddings | Coordinator: Yolanda Haley | Floral Design: Expressions of Decor | Hair and Makeup: Brans Artistry | Celebrity Stylist: Tiff the Zeta

If You’re Looking for a Garden Oasis Hidden in a Bustling City, This Is Your Dream Venue!

“Romantic, graceful, delicate”… three perfect words by Spell Events to describe McGovern Centennial Gardens in Houston, Texas. Today’s styled shoot embraces the ethereal beauty of the property, complete with cascading blooms and sweet bud vases by Blush Floral Co. The Spring color scheme creates a beautiful juxtaposition against the subtle pops of Fall foliage peaking through the blooms. See all the magic unfold at the full gallery, captured by Marni Wishart Photography!

Tucked away in the bustling city, this garden oasis is a place where we can sit quietly and appreciate tranquility and beauty. Romantic. Graceful. Delicate. A romantic color palette is carefully chosen to reflect the beautiful spring season while a remnant of autumn makes an appearance through the dark red foliage to contrast.

Each delicate arrangement is deliberately styled to communicate love in very unique ways. The cascading blooms that run down the table represent the love that connects two people, deepened through an ongoing commitment to appreciate differences and to growth. The bud vases that texturize the table represent the small details and gestures that matter most.

Love is further highlighted through our models, both dancers, who were called from different parts of the world to one place: the Houston Ballet, where they share their passion for dancing and where they cultivate their love for one another through constant encouragement and laughter. With their graceful movement, each picture of them beautifully encapsulates the moments of joy of their growing love. Every aspect of this shoot: the colors, styling, and movement all work collaboratively to make a lasting impression.

Find Out Why the Prospect House in Austin, TX Is Our Favorite Venue for Modern Weddings

If you’re looking for a blank-slate wedding venue with the bones to make your wedding vision a reality – The Prospect House is your dream locale. For today’s wedding, the overall design goal was “to create a romantic garden look but with minimalist lines”, and thanks to the talented team at Wild Sky Events – they achieved just that! Clementine Botanical Art’s organic blush blooms looked so romantic against the bright white walls of the reception space, while the boho lounge decor made for a major personality moment! Check out the full gallery to watch the magic unfold – all taken by Feather & Twine!

From Wild Sky Events… For this wedding, our design goal was to create a romantic garden look but with minimalist lines. We love working with Clementine Botanical Art on our weddings because her whimsical and natural floral style is so gorgeous. She is able to create a garden look without it feeling messy! For weddings that want to go with a more minimalist look, we always like to add candles and other texture elements so the tables don’t feel empty.

For this wedding, we brought our lovely modern clear taper candle holders as they add dimension to the tablescape design but are simple enough that they don’t draw too much attention. Carta Plena created a wonderful minimalist stationery set and for added texture, we went with Birch and Brass Rental’s organic china, natural fringe napkins, and our favorite white and gold flatware.

For the ceremony, we had a custom chuppah frame built to add on to the existing structure at the venue. We draped the frame in a lovely loose cheesecloth and Clementine covered it head to toe in greenery. The focal point for the ceremony is the gorgeous hill country view so but focusing on a simple white frame and greenery the view retains guests’ attention. For extra details, we brought in a fun neon sign, funky minimalist boho lounge, polaroid selfie guest book station and a hanging seating chart installation.

One Simple Way to Cut Your Budget Without Losing Your Overall Design Goals

Not only does this gorgeous styled shoot from Pearl Events Austin include inspiring details, from terra cotta bud vases to white farm tables, but it also is perfect example of how to cut your budget without losing your overall design goals by repurposing items from the ceremony to the reception. A simple yet genius idea that you probably haven’t already thought of. Head on over to the full gallery captured by Honey Gem Creative for every last detail this shoot has to offer, not to mention the most swoon-worthy blooms from Botanical No. 9!

From Honey Gem Creative… This styled shoot mimics an intimate ceremony and reception with natural light, and neutrals with careful pops of color. The ceremony may be in a small room, but the details are big! With the chandelier, fireplace, and antique mirror with florals crawling up, there is no lack of beauty. The bud vases and terra cotta planters line the fireplace with the perfect greenery to flower ratio.

But, this is not the only place you will see these pieces! A great way to cut the budget without losing your overall design goals is to repurpose items from the ceremony to the reception! For example, in this case we moved the floral arrangements from the fireplace, to one of the guest tables in the reception hall. The natural light in Woodbine Mansion makes for an outside feel, while sitting comfortably inside the historic home. The pops of color in the florals contrast beautifully off of the white farm tables, and the place setting with the light grey chargers tied in the limewash king louis chairs. Another element of the design scheme is the stationery.

The invitation suite remains on the simple side, while the envelope liner suffices the need for a pop of color against the white paper. The vellum paper placed on top of the invitation is tied off with a bow to complete the suite. Other stationery elements, the menu and the placecards, are similar to the invitation, but differ a bit with the raw edge. A good way to separate your design from others is a unique cake! With this cake in particular, we decided to keep the classic look of a white wedding cake, but leaned the cake to one side for a modern twist. The last element was adding flowers to the cake that tied in the florals on the guest tables! The last element of the shoot was finding the perfect wedding gown. Just as we repurposed the florals from the ceremony to the reception- this dress was used by a previous bride, but came to life again for our styled shoot!

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Honey Gem Creative

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Revelry Just Launched an All-Velvet Bridesmaid Dress Collection and We’re SO Here for It.

Raise your hand if velvet bridesmaids dresses make you swooooon. (HELLO, over here!!) Then Revelry’s brand new collection is tailor made for you. The line includes 13 new timeless styles in 12 heavenly colors – think earthy tones and rosey ombre’s from terracotta to royal blue, perfectly fitting for any wedding palette. In case you thought it couldn’t get any better, they’re also introducing midi styles to complete the collection – that’s right brides, now your ‘maids can be looking chic while feeling ultra comfortable wearing velvet at any time of year. Our favorite part? Every style is available in sizes 0-32 and can be shipped straight to your door for an at-home try on sesh. Ready to shop? Click through the collection to find your dream bridesmaid fit!

Revelry Just Launched an All-Velvet Bridesmaids Dress Collection and We're SO Here for It.

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Revelry Just Launched an All-Velvet Bridesmaids Dress Collection and We're SO Here for It.

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Photography: Feather & Twine | Floral Design: Clementine Botanical Art | Hair and Makeup: Lola Beauty | Venue: The Ivory Oak | Jewels: Olive + Piper

How to Add Color to a Blank Canvas Wedding Venue With Confidence!

When it comes to blank canvases – color is your best friend. And this inspiration shoot from Callista & Company with floral design by Remi and Gold proves just that. The full gallery, captured by Allen Tsai, is loaded with pops of bright blooms and hanging installations against the clean white walls of the Prospect House. Not to mention the most gorgeous ruffled gown from Alexandra Grecco. Allow this shoot to give you a major dose of confidence to play with color at your wedding.

From Callista & Company… When Allen Tsai approached me to design a workshop shoot at Prospect House in Austin, I jumped at the opportunity to incorporate color at a venue that provides such an amazing blank palette space on such a scenic piece of land. Our design exhibited central themes of minimalism, intentionality, brights balanced by a base of neutrals, and a sense of contemporary romance.

Bold flowers tied together all aspects of the design from cocktails, to flat lays, dinner tables, stationery, the seating chart, cake, and even attire. Remi and Gold provided the most beautiful blooms, which were a cornerstone of the overall design. Grey and Cake designed contemporary color-blocked stationery paired with floral envelope liners.

Birch was carried throughout, including guest welcome gift trays, the seating chart, wood-backed dinner menus, as well as guest ceremony and dining chairs. We set a square oriented ceremony with a central hanging installation and a wall of bud vases in the background. Allen Tsai captured everything perfectly.

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BBJ Linen | La Tavola Linen

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Callista & Company

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Whimsical Texas Garden Wedding Filled With Pops Of Color

This might just be the cutest wedding we’ve ever seen! We’re obsessed with all the bright colors that bring everything about this charming Texas wedding to life. Alexa Kay Events thoughtfully planned every detail, like the mixed array of china set on the most romantic tablescapes we’ve ever seen! The Lockharts perfectly captured the fun and love of the day in their incredible imagery. The whimsical garden theme is so bright and cheery that we can’t stop looking at this celebration over and over again. Step inside the full gallery to get a better look.

From Alexa Kay Events… Tori and Elliot are a fun-loving, laid back couple who have been together for just over 5 years. They wanted their wedding night to be a relaxed but fun, warm and welcoming celebration with loved ones. This is why they picked Clark Gardens. The entire vibe of the venue is whimsical, it even has a love story behind its beginning!

Alba Dahlia Floral did the floral and Tori could not have been happier with how it turned out! The Lockharts shot their wedding and you won’t believe what you are seeing. From the life-giving colors to the radiance of the fall setting,the images seem to jump off the page!

Having muted tones accented with a few bolder colors reflects so well in every setting of Tori and Elliot’s dream day. From the sparkling gold in the place settings to the pop of pink in the bride’s bouquet this whimsical garden wedding was a dream not only to plan but to watch and be a part of in every way.

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This New Year’s Eve Wedding Is Better Than The Ball Dropping

Considering a holiday for your wedding date? You’re not going to want to miss this sweet celebration. From the champagne, sequin bridesmaids dresses to glimmering gold accents, the entire affair screams chic from start to finish. Elaine And Lee Event And Design pulled out all the stops to create an atmosphere worthy of ushering in the New Year. All the elegance was captured in the sweet snaps by Madeline Trent. New Year’s Eve just got a little more magical, check it out in the full gallery.

From Madeline Trent… The Ivory Oak was such a beautiful and romantic setting for Michael and Brianna to ring in the New Year together as husband and wife. The couple live in Nashville, Tennessee, but chose Austin for their destination wedding since they met at St. Edward’s University.

Brianna wore a mermaid style Stella York gown and carried part of her mother’s wedding dress wrapped around the stem of her bridal bouquet. The color palette of ivory, cream, and champagne was echoed in the stunning blooms arranged by Ida Mayes Floristry.

Following dinner, the dance floor was packed until the midnight countdown to the New Year. The couple started off the New Year as husband and wife and set off on their honeymoon to Italy after the reception.

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Photography

Madeline Trent

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The Bride’s Father Hand-Potted Over 500 Plants to Decorate Her Wedding Venue and the Results Are Incredible!

We truly can’t get over how special this day is. From details inspired by meaningful moments throughout the couple’s relationship to the fact that the bride’s father hand-potted over 500 plants to make his daughter’s day better than her wildest dream… I mean, it just doesn’t get sweeter than this, folks! Head on over to the full gallery of images captured by Shalyn Nelson of this one of a kind garden wedding day, all planned to perfection by Flora & Whim. P.S. we couldn’t help but squeal and do a little happy dance when we saw our very own backdrop banner hanging beautifully at their cocktail hour! Shop it here if you’d like to grab one of your own :)

From Flora & Whim… Madison & William met at church in 2017. In fact, Madison’s parents first introduced themselves to William and insisted they meet their daughter as they were certain he would be her husband… WHAT! So cute! Their wedding day was inspired by a few special elements. Early in their dating relationship, William nicknamed Madison “birdie.” We incorporated the bird theme throughout; from the paper goods to the “Birds of Feather Flock Together” seating chart display to the bird table numbers. The bride and groom also had their first dance to the song “Birds” by Imagine Dragons.

A year into their relationship, William proposed in a beautiful butterfly garden. Butterflies have a special meaning for our bride so we incorporated butterflies in her bridal bouquet and on the wedding cake. Lastly, Madison’s father is an exceptional gardener! We created a romantic garden party for our couple– complete with hundreds and hundreds of potted plants.

The bride’s father hand-potted every single rose, plant & herb that filled the venue; nearly 400 potted plants to decorate their ceremony aisle, reception tables and 200 tiny potted herbs that guests took home as a favor. We decided to go with Flying V Ranch in Decatur, TX because of the beautiful ceremony set up. Guests sat on white washed vintage church pews as Madison and Bill said their vows under a 200 year old oak tree. We wanted to pay homage to to the church that Madison grew up in and the one that they began their relationship in by utilizing the church pew seating. To further the garden theme, bridesmaids donned gowns in blues, blush, mauve and mismatching floral patterns. They carried beautiful single varietal bouquets as Madison carried a lush bouquet that incorporated each of the blooms her maids carried.

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A Global-Themed Wedding With so Much Personality and a Steal-Worthy Escort Display

The talented team at Amorology never ceases to amaze us with their insane creativity and viral-worthy designs, we can always tell just by the photos when a wedding has been designed and planned by them. Today’s gorgeous wedding at Prospect House is every modern bride’s dream who isn’t afraid of a little pop of color. Don’t miss out on the full gallery captured by Sophie Epton Photography to see every last detail of their day, including an hourglass escort display that’s so cute we can’t even handle it.

Tell us how you and your spouse met!

From the Bride… We met each other 10 years ago when I sat next to him on the first day of our macroeconomics class. I arrived fashionably late to class, and the only seat available was next to him in the front row! A few years into our relationship, I decided to fulfill a lifelong dream of joining the Peace Corps. I packed my bags and moved to a remote village in Cameroon. He supported me every step of the way with daily phone calls and monthly care packages. It was during this period of our lives when both of us realized how much we love and appreciate each other. In the middle of my service, he took me on a trip around Europe that ended in a picture-perfect proposal in front of Trevi Fountain.

What inspired your wedding concept and style?

After 10 years, it feels like we’ve lived 100 lifetimes together. This feeling set the tone for the day, which was filled with personal details such as juju hats, woven baskets, ceramic water pitchers, and delicate watercolored details. With the help of the brilliant team at Amorology and our amazing photographer, Sophie Epton, the entire day was a dream.

Invitation suite:

A ton of thought went into our invitations! We wanted an invitation suite that was fun, unique, and personal. After Caroline from Lovely Paper Things learned about the juju hats hanging in our living room from my time in the Peace Corps, she came up with a brilliant idea of a “juju hat” invitation suite. When it laid flat, it was an invitation with all our important information, but guests could turn it into their own juju hat art piece by fluffing the ends.

The trifold itself was a beautiful, personal work of art. Inspired by our theme of “100 lifetimes together” and African mudcloth, each box represents a different part of our relationship (past, present, and our hopes for the future). There are tacos and limes from our first “date” when we drove to Mexico in the middle of the night, a deconstructed golden gate bridge for our time in San Francisco, and symbolism for our hopes for the future (happiness, love, growth, and wisdom). The envelope liner contained beautiful watercolored images with more personal details (“bug” is the groom’s nickname for the bride, and the flower is a symbol found on a popular print in West Africa ironically called “fleur de marriage” or wedding flowers.) The juju hat sat inside the trifold which was reminiscent of opening a care package.

Since writing letters and notes was always an important part of our relationship, we enclosed a well wishes card for guests to share their thoughts, favorite memories, and advice. By providing the cards in advance, we hoped it would encourage more sentimental, heartfelt notes, which it fortunately did! When they arrived, guests were asked to place cards in a ceramic water pitcher.

Escort Cards:

For our escort, guests found their seats from different shaped hourglasses tied with small calligraphed tags with guests’ names and table numbers which sat on brass and wood trays and stands. They were placed upon a modern wood table under gold vinyl on the wall reading “I’d choose you in a hundred lifetimes.” They were so popular with our guests, we didn’t have any leftovers!

Special touches:

Our wedding was a three-day event to allow more time with our friends and family. The night before we invited guests for “coffee and cocktails” at the coffee shop that we used to frequent in college. The day after the wedding we hosted a casual brunch at our Airbnb.

We had an intimate wedding ceremony which was limited to immediate family. In the months leading up to the wedding, we wrote our mutual wedding vows that we recited together. In fact, we had three sets of vows: one mutual, and vows to each other. Following our ceremony, we had a private picnic where we read our personal vows to each other, and I gave him his wedding present: a children’s book of our story illustrated by Loren at Four Things Paper. (We collect children’s books every time we visit a new country or place).

There were nods to Cameroon, a country that I hold dear in my heart: five juju hats adorned the walls behind the head table and a mixture of kola nuts and cinnamon sticks were placed on each guest’s plate to welcome them. During times of celebration in Cameroon, families and friends dress in outfits cut from the same cloth, called pagne, as a way of expressing support and solidarity. We loved this idea, so Caroline designed beautiful custom scarves and pocket squares as gifts for our ceremony guests. Even our wedding cake was designed in full mudcloth with the symbols specifically chosen to represent our favorite adventures together (camping next to the Nyiragongo volcano in the DRC, Christmas in Cameroon, and our waterfall adventures).

In addition to the custom fabric, Caroline from Lovely Paper Things beautifully carried the personalized design from our invitations into the programs, menus, signs, and a watercolored map. The groom’s favorite detail from the wedding was his “aioli bar” – complete with a dozen aiolis and a calligraphed sign of a popular quote from the groom: “Can I sample all the aoilis?”

We are forever grateful to the amazing design and planning team at Amorology. They were with us from the very beginning and saw every detail through to the very end – We can’t thank them enough for all their help finding us the best vendors and executing the design perfectly on the wedding day.

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Event Planning

Amorology

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When an Inspiration Shoot Turns Into a Vow Renewal, We Easily Fall In Love!

This inspiration shoot with the perfect mix of Southern Charm and deep, rich tones turned into the sweetest vow renewal between this groom and groom! With an elegant ceremony setting and not one, but two table designs for each of the groom’s style, designed by Pearl Events Austin this shoot at Woodbine Mansion is everything! Beautifully crafted centerpieces by Gypsy Floral and stunning paper goods by Pink Champagne, we simply cannot get enough! Take a look below and see all that Jenna McElroy so beautifully captured!

From Jenna McElroy Photo…This sweet real-life couple was able to renew their vows with their closest friends in attendance for this styled shoot turned vow renewal surrounded by the couple’s dearest friends.

Jen Seals, of Pearl Events, used rich tones, and drop-dead gorgeous florals to bring this sweet and intimate day to life! The inspiration of the day was a perfect mix of southern charm and deep rich tones, which matched perfectly with the venue setting.

Jen accentuated the bold table settings (yes there were 2 different style tables!) with a vibrantly patterned linen, and then had Gypsy Floral incorporate fruit into the table display to provide both tables filled with gorgeous textures. We wanted each groom to have a table representing his style of the day.

The rich tones of yellows, deep greens, and the hops that added a fun element to the Southern charm that Woodbine Mansion exudes. This was a wonderful day of celebrating the love of these two grooms!

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BBJ Linen | La Tavola Linen

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Bold Blue Living Room Filled with DIY Hacks

This living room tour by Chari Herndon is just FAB. They way she spiced up her furniture with some bold DIY hacks proves that you can do anything that you put your mind to. We’re obsessed.

I get so many questions about my bold and colorful space, and how I maximized the space in a smaller living room. I decorated my 805sqft uptown Houston apartment on a budget.

I purchased all of my decor, accents , and furniture from Wayfair, IKEA, and Target. I completed DIY hacks on my IKEA coffee table, bookshelf, and barcart (I love a good IKEA hack).

Color, is one thing I am not afraid of in my home, and cobalt blue and gold reign true in my space. My artwork was commissioned by the artist, Whitey Austin, who created my 3 one of a kind canvas paintings for my space. It’s always been a dream of mine to own black artwork, and these three paintings are my most prized possessions. I am the blogger behind chichomestyle. Com.

I love entertaining, so I wanted to style a space that’s welcoming, but also is a reflection of my bold and bubbly personality. A space that is lively and full of color.

I have often times felt restricted as to what I can do with a a space I’m renting. It’s pushed me to be more creative with my styling, and design choices, and I think I’ve successfully designed a home that is the perfect reflection of me!

Photographer: Arzu Vargas Photography | Home: AMLI Uptown | Interior Decorator & Blogger: Chari Herndon

This Whimsical Texas Wedding Gives Us All The Feels

This Texas wedding rivals the beauty of a sunrise. We can’t help but be reminded of the loveliest time of the day as we swoon over the blush, amber, and neutral accented color palette. Lucas and Elizabeth’s wedding was full of whimsy and romance. Guests were delighted at every turn, from an outdoor ceremony featuring trees dripping with ethereal blooms to a dance floor decorated with an equally awe-inspiring balloon installation. Wild Sky Events artfully brought the couple’s fall celebration to life and Chassie of Crown of Glory Beauty matched Elizabeth’s glowing bridal look with the autumnal wedding palette. Enjoy all the fun details in the full gallery.

From Wild Sky Events… The couple wanted a wedding that felt modern, architectural, textured but also romantic. The design for this wedding was all about structure mixed with whimsy and romance. We wanted all the elements to feel purposeful and have a refined shape but not feel too modern and over-styled.

For the ceremony, Clementine Botanical Arts designed a beautiful floral installation with foraged branches, lush large blooms with an elegant line. As for the ceremony aisle, we kept it very simple with two lush arrangements and custom made thirty feet woven rug.

For the reception, we wanted to create the look of a vintage botanical greenhouse. We installed greenery on every possible surface to help create that look! For the tablescape, we focused on texture and color. Oatmeal velvet linens, paired with amber linen napkins and ceramic china complimented the lovely blush, amber, and neutral floral color palette. It came together like a dream!

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BBJ Linen | La Tavola Linen

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Crown of Glory Beauty

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A Midsummer Night’s Dream Wedding Under a Sprawling Silk White Tent – This Day Is a Total MUST See!

From the bride’s romantic Hayley Paige dress, to the veil made by her grandmother, to the reception dripping with crystals and greenery – today’s wedding is filled with endless beauty at every turn. Tami Winn Events planned the sweet couple’s dream wedding day to perfection, leaving no detail left unturned, while Stephanie Brazzle Photography was there to capture every breathtaking moment. Head on over to the full gallery of images to see all the inspiration, including some of the most beautiful baby blue bridesmaids dresses we’ve ever seen.

From the Bride… Kyle and I met 2 ½ years ago at Texas A&M University. He was finishing up his last semester of college, and I was a junior. We were in the same class together, and Kyle asked if I would be his partner for a group project after the professor said “Pick someone you don’t know very well.” At the end of the semester he asked me to his last date party of college. I did not think much of it since he was graduating, but after a summer spent a part because of my internship in New York City, we were head over heels for each other. Kyle is from Austin and moved back to his hometown after he graduated.

It was not until last October (2017) that we were in the same city and got engaged all in the same month! Picking where we wanted the wedding to be was an easy decision. We were going to make Fort Worth our home together, and TX Whiskey is a Fort Worth staple. We got to tour their new venue, Whiskey Ranch, before it even opened. It was built on a beautiful golf course that overlooked Fort Worth. The downtown skyline made it perfect for a dreamy reception. The owners even came out to greet us while we were there, and we just knew it would be special to showcase such a unique place as one of their first weddings! I had always pictured myself getting married in a silk white tent, and dancing underneath the stars.

When we booked our venue for July, I wanted to capture that classic, midsummer night’s dream look. This inspiration was reflected in our décor, from the flowers to the linens to the stage and bar facades. The streaming crystals and cascading greenery were more than anything I could imagine! I wanted to create an atmosphere that overflowed with romance while keeping it botanical and timeless. There were also a couple elements we added because it was important to us for our guests to have a blast! We decided to add a couple pops of gold glitter for the champagne wall and dance floor. We brought in a liquid nitrogen ice cream machine so people could have boozy refreshments and cool off from the heat, and we were also really intentional about picking a fantastic band. At the end of the night, we brought in light up cowboy hats and honey butter chicken biscuits made by our amazing caterer. The dance floor was full of people and energy the entire night! One of the most fun appointments was designing the groom’s cake. I wanted it to reflect who Kyle was as a person, so I got a little crazy with it. Kyle is the perfect combination of a musician who loves all thing sports and food. From the sushi to the stickers on the guitar case, all of the 3D objects on the cake were representations of things Kyle loves. We even included an Italian flag because we traveled together to Italy with his family, and that was where he told me he loved me for the very first time.

Shopping for my wedding dress was really special for me! Before I even met Kyle, I had spotted a Hayley Paige ad in a wedding magazine with a dress that I could not get out of my head. Once I got engaged, I had a wonderful day of dress shopping with my sister, mom, and bridesmaids, but as soon as I tried that dress on for the first time I realized I had always known this would be my dress I would wear on my wedding day. It was also special because I got to wear the veil that my great grandmother had made for my sister – in – law when she married my brother. My sister also got to wear it for her wedding. We were all very close to her, so it meant so much to have a piece of my great grandmother with me that day. My wedding planner had the great idea of incorporating the lace from my dress into details of the wedding too. The wedding invitation, the cake, and bar facades were all designed to reflect my wedding dress! When the wedding day came it was a complete dream. I still look back and wish I could relive every second. The best moments were seeing the little details that probably no one else noticed come alive. From Kyle singing and recording our first dance song to writing our own vows, for us it was about celebrating our journey that brought us to this day. I will never forget the many appointments with my mom, the dance lessons with my dad, and planning those minute but meaningful details, such as picking out scripture readings with Kyle. Looking back on the day, I hope our wedding was a testament of what a loving God we have; and I hope it was a celebration-to-be-remembered for those who poured their time and energy into helping Kyle and me become the couple we are today.

You Won’t Believe This Chic Private Home Wedding Was Planned in Just 3 Weeks!

There is so much heart in this sweet, intimate wedding planned in just 3 weeks by the couple, their loving family and friends who all chipped in, and Maggie Francisco who led the way! The gorgeous couple (no seriously they could be models they’re so beautiful) decided to tie the knot at the bride’s parents’ newly finished home decorated with minimalist greenery and neutral colors. The bride’s son and daughter looked beyond adorable as their ring bearer and flower girl (heart melting!!) Head on over to the full gallery to see all the natural beauty of this day captured by Jennefer Wilson!

From Meggie Franciso Events… When a woman with four sisters meets a man with four brothers, it’s easy to suspect that fate might be at play. That’s exactly what happened when Meghan McFarland and Jacob Nelan were finally introduced by Meghan’s father. It wasn’t long before the couple knew they were meant to be, and after Jacob asked for Meghan’s hand in marriage, they had no hesitation in planning the wedding!

Meghan’s parents were in the process of building a beautiful new home, and the couple envisioned a small, intimate ceremony there – in three weeks. In a pinch for time, the bride made a miraculous find with a knockout off-the-rack Monique Lhullier gown at Dallas bridal salon Warren Barron. She also contacted family friend Allison Lockett of Equally Yolked Events right away for help with the catering. Several talented family members stepped in to handle floral, cake, and officiating. During in-depth consultations with the couple’s beloved photographer, Jennefer Wilson, Meghan and Jacob began to realize that even with such a strong team on board, they needed more help. Their small wedding vision had ballooned into a much larger affair with over 100 guests! Jennefer suggested they bring in destination wedding planner Meggie Francisco to work her magic on the event.

With fresh leadership on board, the concept came together effortlessly. A seating chart quickly brought much-needed organization to the event, and Francisco provided expert guidance to create a smooth flow throughout the home. As guests arrived, they enjoyed a refreshing spa water station and gathered in the backyard for the private ceremony. During the processional, the couple’s siblings walked around the sparkling pool to join up and take a seat beside the covered gazebo. The bride took her time, stepping with her dad down a beautiful oak wood staircase. As “I Get to Love You” by Ruelle came to a crescendo, a set of floor-to-ceiling glass windows opened for her grand entrance.

After the couple celebrated their vows with their first kiss, guests socialized in the beautiful front courtyard of the home. They enjoyed light bites from a charcuterie display and mingled over fresh sparkling mock-tails garnished with rosemary and thyme. Meanwhile, the couple escaped for a private photo session in a romantic nook of the neighborhood. They wandered through any idyllic field of tall grasses surrounded by cypress trees; the scene could have been plucked right out of Tuscany!

When it came time for dinner, guests gathered together at three long tables set with pure white linens, elegant white taper candles, and modern place cards. Delicate greenery hung from the chandeliers above the tables and wandered down the centers of the tables. Equally Yolked served up a delectable buffet of the couple’s favorite Greek food, and the meal ended sweetly with decadent cake baked personally by family member Allison Fox. After dinner, everyone went outside for a dance party beside -and inside! – the glowing pool. The new Mr. And Mrs. Nelan were sent off by their closest loved ones under a canopy of sparklers.