A Sophisticated Louisiana Celebration Filled with Whimsical Florals and Effortless Style

[section title=”The Planning”]
[field title=”Wedding Colors”]Pink, tangerine, yellow, light blue[/field]
[field title=”Design / Vibe / Vision”]

Staying true to the spirit of Louisiana, my goal was to ensure that my guests had an unforgettable experience and truly enjoyed themselves. Visually, I envisioned a formal, elegant wedding with whimsical, unique touches. I wanted to blend vibrant florals, lush greenery, and colorful décor to create an atmosphere that was both sophisticated and lively. I couldn’t have trusted anyone more than Ash Event Co. to bring our vision to life. Ashley and her team worked tirelessly to curate every detail, transforming our ideas into a beautifully cohesive event. Ashley brought fresh, creative design ideas that perfectly elevated the overall look and feel of the celebration. They excelled at managing all aspects of the wedding—from logistics and budgeting to vendor coordination—ensuring every decision was perfectly aligned with our style and preferences. Working with them was an absolute joy. Their impeccable attention to detail gave me the confidence to fully relax and enjoy a stress-free weekend, knowing everything was in their capable hands. The documentation of our day was incredibly important to me, so one of the first vendors I booked was Liz Banfield. Her photography style is fresh, effortless, and timeless, and she has an exceptional ability to capture not just the beauty of the day but also the raw emotion, joy, and intimate moments shared between our loved ones. Liz has a keen eye for detail, beautifully balancing posed shots with candid, natural moments. The overall feel was elegant, with soft lighting and a focus on authentic emotions, allowing the photos to tell the story of our day in a way that felt both personal and unforgettable. When we saw our photographs, we were blown away. The photos are stunning — everything I was envisioning — and I’ll cherish them forever.

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[field title=”Proposal Story”]Clay and I first met while attending business school at the Cox School of Business at Southern Methodist University. We were great friends throughout our time at school, and shortly after graduation, we began dating. A year later, we were heading to dinner near SMU when Clay suggested we drive through campus for “old times’ sake.” He then convinced me to step out of the car and take a walk to see the progress on the business school renovations. Though I wasn’t thrilled about the idea—I was dressed up in a dress and heels—he led me to the Centennial Pavilion, where he got down on one knee and proposed! It was such a meaningful moment, getting engaged in the very place where we had first met and spent so much time together. After the proposal, Clay surprised me with a dinner at Le Bilboquet, surrounded by our family and close friends who had flown in to join us in the celebration.

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[board_carousel title=”Getting Ready”]

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[board_carousel title=”Bridal Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Flat Lays”]

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[section title=”The Fashion”]
[field title=”Wedding Gown”]

My first and only stop wedding dress shopping was at Warren Barron in Dallas, TX. I had long admired Mira Zwillinger’s designs on Instagram, and when I saw a gown I loved, I knew it was the one. Lucky for me, the store had just received it the week before. It was the first dress I tried on, and I immediately knew it was meant to be! I adored the classic, high-neck, long-sleeve style paired with modern, feminine lace. The gown also featured a removable jacket with a strapless gown underneath, making it perfect for transitioning from the ceremony to the reception. During the reception, I changed into a stunning Oscar de la Renta dress. I wanted something that would make a statement while still being comfortable enough to dance the night away. This sparkly piece was the perfect choice to end the night. For our rehearsal dinner, I had a clear vision in mind and enlisted the help of Jemal at Richard Brooks to bring the dress to life. He exceeded my expectations with his custom creation, and working with him was such a joy. The dress was stunning and was exactly what I had dreamed of.

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[field title=”Bridesmaid Dresses”]

For my bridesmaids’ dresses, I wanted to give them the freedom to choose their styles, and provided a color scheme that complemented the florals of the wedding. Since six of my twelve bridesmaids were either pregnant or had recently had children, I wanted them to feel comfortable in a dress they could also wear again. It was important to me that they loved what they wore and felt at ease on the day. As for the ceremony, we decided to have just our matrons of honor, best men, and siblings stand up with us, keeping the focus on our closest family and friends. This way, we could maintain a more intimate vibe while still having our loved ones by our side.

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[field title=”Groomsman Attire”]

For our black-tie wedding, all the men wore classic black tuxedos. As a special touch, we gifted each of them a pair of monogrammed cufflinks. The groom, Clay, had his tuxedo custom-made at Culwell & Sons in Dallas, TX, ensuring it was perfectly tailored to him. It was important to me that their attire complemented the formal elegance of the day while adding a personal detail to make it even more memorable.

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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Party”]

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[board_carousel title=”Ceremony”]

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[board_carousel title=”Cocktail Hour”]

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[section title=”The Details”]
[field title=”Food & Drink”]

For our rehearsal dinner, we embraced a Louisiana theme to kick off the weekend. Guests were welcomed with famous Ruston, LA, peaches, freshly shucked oysters, and martinis. We passed a selection of delicious appetizers, including crawfish beignets, shrimp, and mini crab cakes. The main entrée featured redfish Annabelle and short ribs over risotto. To top it off, we indulged in the groom’s favorite dessert: warm chocolate chip cookies paired with ice cream, a sweet and nostalgic end to the evening. For the wedding, the cocktail hour was a fun opportunity to share our favorite bites and drinks. We passed mini grilled cheese sandwiches, truffle fries, mozzarella sticks, along with our go-to cocktails—Aperol spritzes and ranch waters. For dinner, we went with a classic surf and turf meal that would appeal to all tastes, ensuring a crowd-pleasing feast. To add a personal touch and a nod to our Louisiana roots, we served Raising Cane’s chicken sandwiches as a late-night snack—a guilty pleasure we couldn’t resist.

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[field title=”Florals & Decor”]

We were fortunate to work with local floral designer Kyle Loyd of Colony House Flowers, who truly brought our floral vision to life. Kyle and his team went above and beyond, surpassing my expectations with lush, full arrangements that perfectly captured the whimsical garden party vibe I had envisioned. I couldn’t have been happier with how the florals turned out—it was everything I dreamed of and more. For the florals and décor, I knew I wanted to create a vibrant, warm atmosphere with shades of pink, orange, and yellow, complemented by pops of blue. We decided to focus the ceremony florals on rich pinks and oranges, while for cocktail hour, we leaned into sunny yellows in the florals and linens to echo the beautiful sunset. The tent was the main focal point of the event, and we wanted it to feel intimate and welcoming. To achieve that, we incorporated custom lamps and a mix of chandeliers, which helped create a cozy, homey atmosphere. Ashley from Ash Event Co sourced the most stunning blue tent drapery from Party! Dallas and tied in blue accents through a variety of textiles and fringe banquets, adding soft, elegant touches throughout the space.

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[field title=”Wedding Cake”]To keep things moving after dinner, we decided not to have a wedding cake. Instead, we passed slices of cake during the dance set so that guests could enjoy a treat and then easily get back to the dance floor. For the cake, we chose pistachio cake as a nod to the first trip Clay and I took together to Colorado. The pistachio cake at Heather’s in Basalt, CO, is our absolute favorite, and we make sure to have it every time we visit. Social Bites in Ruston, LA, did a fantastic job of capturing the flavor we love so much.
To keep the energy high and the fun going, we also had some interactive desserts. One highlight was an espresso martini ice luge crafted by Red River Ice, which featured our wedding logo. It was a huge hit and added a playful touch to the celebration!
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[field title=”Readings, Ceremony Music, Reception Songs”]

For our ceremony, we were truly honored to have Clay’s father officiate our wedding. It made the entire ceremony feel so personal and special, and added a meaningful touch to the day. Music was a key element for me in creating the lively, fun atmosphere I envisioned. All Strings for Granted quartet played the ceremony music, setting the tone beautifully. We had the grandparents enter to “What a Wonderful World,” followed by the wedding party walking down the aisle to the “Bridgerton Theme” song. I chose “Bitter Sweet Symphony” for my entrance—it was the perfect blend of classical strings with a modern twist. During the ceremony, we were fortunate to have a close family friend, Royce Dillard, sing “How Great Thou Art.” Her voice is so incredible and moving; she also sang this song at my grandmother’s funeral. It was a beautiful tribute, and there wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd. For the recessional, we surprised our guests with a gospel choir who sang “Joyful, Joyful” and “Higher Love” as everyone made their way to cocktail hour. It was such a fun moment and got the crowd energized for the celebration ahead! As for the reception, I knew immediately that Jessie’s Girls was the band I wanted. I’ve seen them perform at several weddings, and they are by far the most fun, high-energy band out there. Their song list, choreography, and outfits are always on point. They played for three straight hours without a break and kept everyone dancing the whole night. Our first dance song was “Real Love Baby” by Father John Misty, and to cap off the evening, Clay and I shared a private dance to “All Your’n” by Tyler Childers. It was the perfect way to end an unforgettable night.

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[field title=”Special Detail #1″]

On Friday afternoon, we hosted a pickleball tournament for our wedding party and family, followed by lunch from our favorite spot, Newk’s Eatery. Carly Creative Co. designed a custom logo for the cups and pickleball paddles, adding a fun and personalized touch to the event. It was a great way to spend quality time with our loved ones before the weekend officially began.

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[field title=”Special Detail #2″]

Carly Creative Co. played an essential role in bringing our vision for the weekend to life by designing so many personalized details. Carly did an incredible job with our wedding invitations, taking all my inspiration and transforming it into something truly unique and special for our big day. From the save-the-dates and invitations to the napkins, cups, escort cards, and even the dance floor graphic, Carly ensured every detail was cohesive and thoughtfully designed. Her work truly elevated the entire event, adding a level of sophistication and charm that made everything feel seamless and memorable. She even managed to incorporate our beloved dog Roo into many details, including the invitation, the escort card wall, and custom stir sticks for the bar. We wanted to make sure our out-of-town guests felt welcome, so we put together fun welcome bags. Carly Creative Co. designed beautiful bag tags and welcome guides, which included a map of the club, a list of our favorite activities, and a weekend itinerary. One of my favorite touches was the custom deck of playing cards Carly created, featuring our favorite things on each card. It was a fun way to keep guests entertained while offering a lasting memento of the wedding. We also included our favorite snacks—Zapp’s Voodoo chips, Dallas-based cookies from J. Rae’s, and Reid’s 5 O’clock Crunch. To top it off, we gifted all our guests custom “Choudrant” hats as a keepsake from our special town. In an unexpected twist, our wedding day fell on the Oklahoma University vs. Texas game day. Since the groom is an OU alumnus, we hosted a watch party at the club for the groomsmen and guests. We had custom OU/TX cups and napkins made by The Essential Market to get everyone into the game day spirit.

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[field title=”Special Detail #3″]

One of my favorite details was at the very end of the night. I had given my dad the freedom to choose our getaway car, and he surprised us with a red 1964 Cadillac DeVille convertible. It was the perfect addition to our grand exit. Once we got into the car, a spectacular fireworks show closed the night!

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[board_carousel title=”Couple Portraits”]

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[board_carousel title=”Reception”]

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[board_carousel title=”Wedding Weekend Events”]

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