My wedding day started exactly how every girl dreams: with a national cell service outage. AT&T's communications were down across the country and guests were messaging my wife-to-be and me as they printed off paper directions to our venue before leaving home (and therefore their trusty wi-fi routers). Despite a misty morning drizzle, the sun managed to break through the clouds and dry the grounds before the decorations went up. Close friends and family flitted around the property, tying off finishing touches and ensuring the bridesmaids' mimosa glasses never ran dry. At some point during the afternoon (while I perched in the makeup artist's chair, blissfully unaware,) Jayla placed a DoorDash order for the cranberry juice we had forgotten to buy for her signature cocktail. It arrived just before the reception, exactly according to plan. ;)
The day floated by in giddy perfection, and I sincerely regard it as the best wedding I've ever witnessed. In celebration of our nearly seven months as newlyweds, I am overjoyed to share every gleaming detail with you.
Glam
I wore my grandmother's robe as my "something blue" while my beauty team primped me. It was a gift left to me from her years living in Japan, still awash in her sunny aura. I had grown out my hair anticipating this day, so my hairstylist (and close personal friend) Linh of Linh's Lox had plenty to work with. My brief for her was a loose up-do reminiscent of pre-pirate Kiera Knightly in The Curse of the Black Pearl, tastefully disheveled as if returning from a quick frolic somewhere. Her hands were gentle, her styling was swift and deft, and she refused to step away until it was exactly as I'd envisioned. She used approximately one billion bobby pins to secure her work in place for the night, which I would still be pulling from my tresses long into the honeymoon.
The ladies at Blush Hair & Makeup Artistry dolled up our bridesmaids and Jayla's mother while I ran around the venue tying up loose ends; I was the last in the chair. While I'm usually one for a bold black cat-eye, I wanted to channel my softer side and embrace my role as a "blushing bride." For makeup, we kept the eyes subtly smoky with defined brows and rosy cheeks. As we prepared to walk down the aisle, my artist left me with a touch-up bag equipped with lipstick and a pre-powdered puff.
I trusted Krystal at Nailed by Krissy to create the acrylic masterpiece on my nails. She had carefully crafted this campy twist on classic almond French tips with pearly bobbles to match my shoes. She's such a talented artist and I always know I can count on her to bring my creative visions to life.
Dress
I happened upon my wedding dress by accident a year before the wedding, on a birthday trip to the thrift store. We had barely even begun wedding planning, and I had only just started perusing Pinterest for inspiration. There were 4 mannequins upstairs in dresses, and the far right corner immediately caught my eye. There she was, this perfectly dreamy Vera Wang in pristine condition. Never before worn. In my exact size. When I tried it on, it was a perfect fit. At that moment, I knew it was meant to be mine. When I brought the dress home, I opened up the garment bag to a pleasant surprise: a brand new veil and two garters, included from the previous owner.
Twelve months later, I donned it for my big day. It still fit like a glove. The fitted drop waist bodice was cinched in the back with pearl buttons lining the hidden zipper. The unfinished tulle layers whispered and danced as I walked. An asymmetrical high-low slit in the front of my skirt highlighted my legs, while the sculpturally gathered train floated down the aisle behind me. I felt untouchable - the most authentic, glamorous version of myself in this gorgeous, billowing gown.
Both of our bridal bouquets were my creation: arrangements of roses, hydrangeas, and succulents atop quartz tower handles. I also lovingly crafted each bridesmaid bouquet and the mother of the bride's floral bunch. Other wedding details included our handmade wedding invitation stack, my Christian Dior j'Adore eau de parfum, and our custom wedding jewelry. My shoes were Betsey Johnson's "Clark" in the shade ivory, part of her Blue by Betsey Johnson bridal collection complete with her signature teal blue bottoms.
Venue
As guests arrived and took their seats, our ushers brought refreshments to defend against the balmy Texas weather encroaching upon the evening. Our ceremony started at 5:00, bathed in a golden sunset against the picturesque backdrop of Starshine Texas. The service was framed beneath the effeminate marble columns of the opulent gazebo.
The formalities concluded a mere 20 minutes later. We took pictures on the pier overlooking the lake, joined by the estate's resident ducks. The sleek metal building beside the courtyard hosted our reception, effaced with a grand staircase and floor-to-ceiling windows.
Inside, the lofty ceilings and inundation of natural light highlighted the venue's industrial architecture. The interior was softened with rustic finishes, like the solid wood bar top nestled beneath the spiral stairs. Above, a loft overlooked the dance floor amidst a sprawl of dinner tables. Chandeliers suspended above the cake table added a kiss of fancy.
A sun porch with red brick floors made a perfect children's playroom when lined with white balloons, butcher paper, and crayons in every color. Whether guests popped out to the vast rear porch for a quick drag
or a well-earned break from the dancefloor, it was the perfect reprieve with its stone fireplace and array of outdoor seating options.
Decor
We subtly adorned the outdoor ceremony space with flowers and ribbon, taking great care not to distract from the innate beauty of the estate. Family and friends were kind enough to help us arrange (and rearrange) each floral sprig until everything was just right.
In the very first chair on each side, memorial tributes were arranged for our late fathers. On mine, the pair of scrubs my father wore in the delivery room when I was born. On Jayla's, her father's first cavalry hat from his tenure in the army. For both, photos with our fathers from childhood and high school graduation. Although they were unable to escort their daughters down the wedding aisle that day, they both had a front-row seat to our joyous union.
After the ceremony, the great red door was retracted to reveal the reception hall. Our new last name, a well-kept secret until we were pronounced as wives minutes prior, was scrawled in neon above our chairs at the brides' table. Two gorgeous rose quartzes, generously gifted to us, sat amongst angels at the forefront of our place settings. Each table boasted a centerpiece upon a mirrored plate: a delicate teal vase of pale pink ostrich feathers perched atop a romantic column. Himalayan salt crystals were artfully scattered against black tablecloths. Each table setting included a custom dinner menu and a name card in the same silhouette as the moths adorning our invitations.
Our front table displayed our seating chart, wedding sign, and some of our favorite engagement photos. Personalized signs linked guests to our wedding photo drive and registry. A bejeweled box and feathered pen were included for loved ones to leave us notes or cards.
The stone maiden standing demurely among the flowers covering the cake table was an heirloom left to us by Jayla's great-aunt. Near the exit, guests could snag their custom favors from the lace-topped table strewn with bookmarks and green tea bags.
The signage, centerpieces, menus, floral arrangements, and favors were all my designs, brought to life with love and care by a few hands in addition to my own (you know who you are!)
Bridal Party
Our beloved family and friends - our chosen family - were an integral part of our celebration. Our bridesmaids consisted of our closest college friends, lasting friends from childhood, and sisters. The role of maid of honor was, of course, reserved for our best lifelong girlfriend on each side. (My sixth bridesmaid was unfortunately unable to travel after falling ill the week of the wedding, but we will be visiting her in Fiji later this year to even the score!)
Jayla's mother led the procession, followed by our bridesmaids and her cousin as our strapping young ring bearer. Her uncle officiated the service and we had two ushers: her cousin and my close friend (who just so happens to also be the husband of one of my bridesmaids.) Jay's older sister stood in as our flower girl after we determined that her niece and nephew were simply too little and distractable to be reliable participants in the ceremony. Her brother escorted her down the aisle in place of her father, and in the absence of family on my side, I opted to walk my own damn self down that runway!
Food & Drink
Our cocktail hour charcuterie was entirely designed by my bride and arranged by our bridesmaids. I never actually saw it in person, only memorialized in photos - it was gone by the time the sun had set and our wedding photo shoot had drawn to a close.
Jayla's signature cocktail, "Jayla's Juice," was a straightforward vodka cranberry. My drink of choice, "Laura's Elixir," was an amaretto sour that tasted like liquid candy. Drinks were served up by Bartending with a Twist, and our bartenders even managed to sneak us a chilled tequila shot or two in between photo ops.
For dinner, we served chicken marsala and eggplant parmesan from Maggiano's. Pasta options were spaghetti or alfredo, salad options were classic Caesar or Italian tossed, and each plate included a freshly baked ciabatta roll. During dinner, the charcuterie table was laden with an assortment of miniature Italian desserts - apple crostatas, crème brûlée, and strawberry-topped cheesecakes - along with our awe-inspiring cakes from Cake Joi. Mine was a four-tiered vanilla wedding cake sculpted into an aqua-blue geode lined with gold leaf, while Jayla's two-tiered chocolate cake had fondant mushrooms springing from its rustic layers.
Reception
Our DJ Broddrick from Toast Entertainment had our party jumping from "I Do," and was such a joy to work with. Some notable tracks from the night include:
Bridesmaids Down the Aisle: Colour Me by Juke Ross
Brides Down the Aisle: The End of Love by Florence + The Machine
Pronounced As Wives: Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Reception Entrance: A Good Night by John Legend
First Dance: Fire on Fire by Sam Smith
Father-Daughter (Laura): Saturn by Sleeping At Last
Father-Daughter (Jayla): Rocket Man by Elton John
Cake Cutting: How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by James Taylor
Last Dance: Last Dance by Donna Summer
Grand Exit: Don't Let Go (Love) by En Vogue
Standing in for my dad during my father-daughter dance was my dear friend and usher, with a routine choreographed by his talented wife. Jayla danced with her brother. Both of us chose personal songs from our time with them in their memory, and it served as a beautiful tribute to the loved ones who joined us that day not in body but in spirit.
After dinner, we changed for our reception: for me, a cheeky little lace number; for my wife, a matching two-piece vest set with ivory cowboy boots to match. Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! (A Man After Midnight) by ABBA was the soundtrack to my bouquet toss. Jayla removed my garter to the tune of the Toxic Pony remix by ALTEGO, a mash-up of Britney Spears' Toxic and Ginuwine's Pony. We cut our cakes, danced our asses off, and eventually made our grand exit down the sprawling outdoor staircase as our guests showered us in dried floral confetti.
Photos
Outside the venue doors, our Camjam Photo Camper was parked on the front lawn for the evening. After the event, the portable photo booth provided us with a guest book full of our family and friends' photo strips alongside their personal messages to us as newlyweds.
I would be remiss to conclude without extending my deepest heartfelt thanks to Luis, Juliana, and Tracy with Timeless Tree Photography for capturing every gorgeous moment with such grace and delicate attention to detail. They were such a wonderful creative team to work with and the photographers flitted through our wedding day like warm shadows, always kind and professional without distracting us from basking in our big day. I stumbled upon them by happenstance through an Instagram giveaway, and I am eternally grateful to the universe for offering up that chance. I miraculously won second place which included a discounted photography package, an engagement photo shoot, and a digital keepsake album with all of our pictures. Throughout our time spent working together, they worked tirelessly to help bring my fantasy to life and I wouldn't have wanted anyone else to encapsulate these timeless memories.