When these desert sweethearts set out to plan their day, they knew it had to be fun, it had to be colorful, and it had to feel like them. They carried that vision through every detail, including stationery by Beacon Lane and Brit Jones photographed from beginning to end.
From the Bride… As any newly engaged couple knows, the excitement of the engagement can quickly be overshadowed by the planning phase of the wedding. Jared and I had talked about where we wanted to get married. We both loved the romantic, rustic feel of the Big Bend area, so we knew that Lajitas would be the place to get married, after all, that’s where our story began,
I didn’t have a specific theme in mind when we first started planning. I knew, however, that I wanted to stay true to the beauty and simplicity of the desert surroundings. My mother and I spent countless hours looking on websites and thumbing through magazines to get inspiration. Anyone who knows my Mom knows what I mean when I say we spent hours, days, weeks, searching. Finally it happened, that ONE piece that would bring together the entire event. A simple post card with two donkeys nuzzled up next to one another with a beautiful mountainous desert scene in the background. The postcard was titled, “Desert Sweethearts”. With that in hand, and mind, everything we searched for and planned on from then on, revolved around the colors and scenery of that post card. Planning a wedding is stressful.
Planning a destination wedding can put even the most organized person to the test. Once we had our vision, we knew it was time to enlist the help of some experts. It is the people behind the scenes that help make the big day magical and go off without a hitch. All the little details that bring it all together, the invitations, the photographer, the head organizer, the florist, the baker, the rentals, the food, bartenders, makeup artist, hairdresser, the list goes on. We teamed up with an amazing design and floral team to make our vision come to life…Enter the talented design team of Magic Hour Marfa and Floriography Flowers! This dynamic duo dreamed up all of perfect details…everything was pure perfection. The southwest inspired floral palette included locally harvested blooms and branches like Trumpet vine, honeysuckle, chamisa, palo verde, pomegranate branches along side romantic booms like peonies, ranunculus, garden roses and tulips.
An artisanal welder out of Marfa, TX fabricated the ceremony arch which perfectly framed the majestic mountain vista just across the border. The most beautiful location to say “I do”. Large locally made tables elegantly lined a mesquite post colonnade with hanging floral installations supported by vintage barnwood planks and rustic lanterns that gracefully floated above our heads during dinner. The tablescapes were elegant and colorful with a nod to the romantic desert our guest were dining in. Terra cotta chargers and turquoise napkins perfectly complimented the sarape-esque table runners. There was a huge stage backdrop with thoughtfully incorporated items our family had been collecting through our travels across Texas like vintage lanterns, cow skulls, rugs and Mexican blankets. Floriography incorporated locally harvested flora like prickly pear cactus, pomegranates, chamisa and cholla cactus to create sculptural elements for the cake table, escort card display and stage facade. The party organically flowed down to the stage area after dinner and enjoyed and amazing concert by my favorite band, the Mike Ryan Band.
One of the most important aspects of wedding planning, I think, is choosing a photographer. What some don’t take into account is that the wedding photographer may be the MOST important aspect. They should understand your vision and be able to work well with the different personalities of your bridal party and family. We knew without a doubt that Brittany, with Brit Jones Photography was just the one for us. After looking through her website I fell in love with her work. All of her images were so light, bright, airy, and natural. Exactly the look and feel I wanted so badly for our wedding. One of my favorite moments that our wedding photographer, Brittany, captured was our First Look…in the exact spot where we first laid eyes on each other, just four and half years earlier.
The scene had been set and all the details were falling into place, but what is a wedding without friends and family there to share the special moment. Again, details. We had bags printed with the same scene from the post cards, the two donkeys. Inside the bags, we put a variety of snacks and goodies for the guest to enjoy, all staying true to our theme. We even had little koozies printed by a local business, Hodgepodge, so guest could keep their drinks cool and have a souvenir. Friends and family were given the bags upon check in. There was also an itinerary of the weekend events, so all our guest would know where to be, and when. When you are bringing two families together, you want everyone to get to know each other in a relaxed environment. We had guests who traveled from all over Texas and parts of Oklahoma.
When I look back on the day, some of it seems a blur. It was the little things that stick out in my mind that made the day special. I only had four bridesmaids, two of my sisters, my best friend, and my God Sister. My youngest sister and my Niece were the flower girls and my Nephew was the ring bearer. Sharing this day with my closest family and friends is something I will never forget.
Photography: Brit Jones Photography | Floral Design: Floriography Flowers | Wedding Dress: Serendipity Bridal | Invitations: Beacon Lane | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Show Me Your Mumu | Makeup: Madi Hankins | Band: The Mike Ryan Band | Venue: The Lajitas Golf Resort | Bloody Mary Sign: Mermaid design Co | Bride's Necklace: Kendra Scott Jewelry | Bridesmaid's Getting Ready Shirts: G Monogram | Custom Cups + Koozies: Hodgepodge Midland | Custom Photo Booth Backdrop: Happy Everything | Event Design + Coordination: Magic Hour Marfa | Flower Girl Dresses: Dollcake Oh So Girly | Groomsmen's Shirts: Territory Ahead | Vintage Stamps: Verde Studio
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