Southern Weddings

We are so happy to feature the wedding of Leigh + Kelly at the {Circle R Ranch} today! The theme stayed true to Texas with guests, bride and groom in ranch attire (jeans and boots). The couple and their guests enjoyed cupcakes from {The Cupcakery} instead of traditional wedding cake. The intimate wedding was extra special with the couple’s favorite performer {Thomas Michael Riley} serenading them during their first dance. Check out more of this beautiful wedding photographed by {Heather Thorne Photography}.

Describe the proposal: I had planned a birthday party for Kelly at one of our favorite places, Farina’s Winery in Grapevine, TX. We had a private room reserved for some of our closest friends and family to come celebrate. Little did I know that Kelly was planning a proposal and everyone was in on the secret except me! In the middle of a toast he turned in my direction, pulled me up with him, and started talking about our wonderful love. He tearfully got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. I said yes! The rest of the guests at Farina’s were watching through the glass double doors and gave us a standing ovation when servers ushered in glasses of champagne – another surprise!
What attracted me to my husband was: Instant chemistry.
Why do you love your husband? I love my husband because we like the same things, have the same interests and we think the same thoughts. We mutually want to be around each other as much as possible. We are truly soul mates.
A date we went on that we’ll always remember: Attending the Blues Brothers concert at the opening night of the House of Blues in Dallas. One of the best concerts ever – small venue and incredible talent! After the concert, we were personally invited by Jim Belushi to have a late dinner with him, Dan Akroyd, and the band at the Foundation Room (a private club above the HOB). There were no menus – just ask the chef to prepare whatever you want…steak…lobster…whatever! We laughed, drank, and ate until 3 in the morning.
The weather on our wedding day was: Sunny. Clear skies. Mid-70’s. Amazing. When we selected January 31 as a date, we had to face the fact that it could be miserable, but I was certain that God would bless us with a beautiful day.
What was the design inspiration for your wedding? As event professionals, we are accustomed to transforming a venue into something very different and unique. However, for our wedding we wanted to embrace the rustic nature of the ranch and use elements that would add to the ranch experience and have an overall Texan feel.
Favorite design element of your big day: The event logo – a cattle brand-style symbol – made of our initials. We first featured this in the invitation and it was a symbol that carried through the event. As guests drove up to the ranch the brand was the first thing to be seen – illuminated 8’ tall on the side of the Circle R Ranch Chisholm Ranch House. We also used the brand on cups, glassware, cupcake toppers and stationary.
Tell us about the Venue: When planning, we knew we wanted to concentrate on the party first, ceremony second. We also wanted to wear jeans, listen to our favorite Texas music, and eat barbecue. One of Kelly’s oldest friends runs the Circle R Ranch and there was no question that it would be our first choice. Luckily he had the date open since we asked him about it 2 months prior to the event. The staff was top notch. The food was amazing. The ranch was the perfect selection and setting.
Tell us about finding your wedding dress: No dress! I selected a feminine ivory Tadashi blouse and paired it with Swarovski-encrusted Rock and Republic Jeans. We had matching custom boots made from black stingray hide to help indicate that we were the couple of honor.
Describe your wedding flowers and decor: We didn’t want to detract from the ranch but have our décor blend with the existing rustic environment. The floral designer did an absolutely stunning job of decorating the ranch house inside and out. There were oil-rubbed bronze pots filled with clusters of branches and berries. Garlands of natural greens, acorns, and flowers adorned the candle–lit stone fire place. All flowers used were white, cream, or camel in color. To provide dimension and interest centerpieces varied from being low and lush to tall glass vases filled with black river rock placed on weathered leather overlays. Buffet tables featured random clusters of magnolia leaves, greenery, and berries in apothecary vases. Outside there were lanterns lighting the path to the ranch house and fairy lights strung from the porch and gazebos.
Describe your wedding cake: To keep with the non-traditional nature of the wedding, we opted for no cake. Instead we selected an assortment of cupcakes that varied in texture and garnishes. Most were topped with a chocolate “LMK”. The cupcakes were randomly stacked on rustic crates amongst greenery, candles and berries to create a very unique focal point.
Our favorite detail of the wedding was: Our guests and their attitudes. We asked in the invitation that everyone come dressed in “Ranch Attire.” They all showed up in boots, jeans, some had hats and they were all ready to dance and party!
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? We held the ceremony inside the lodge in front of a stone fireplace. We wanted the ceremony to feel intimate and be a special time for us and our new combined family to be together before the party got cranked up. Therefore we decided to invite only immediate family – about 15 people. Our close friends were disappointed and missed seeing us exchange vows. I still get grief from my best girlfriends about it.
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Our first dance. I felt so close to Kelly and forgot there was anyone else in the world in that moment. Except maybe for TMR (Thomas Michael Riley, performer). He serenaded us with “Lookin’ for Someone” and he personalized some of the lyrics to fit the occasion and us.
Scariest moment? Our minister got the time wrong, was missing, and not answering the phone when we wanted to start the ceremony. We were so relieved when he showed up! However, a back-up plan was in motion. Steven, who runs the Circle R had phoned in a favor from a Justice of the Peace friend who was on the way when the minister arrived.
Funniest moment? Kelly and I had given our respective 7 year old sons each other’s ring to be responsible for during the ceremony. Kelly’s son CJ had put my ring on his finger for safe-keeping. When the time came to exchange rings the ring was stuck on his finger! It took a while to work the thing off but provided a good laugh for our entire family.
The most unexpected event on our wedding day was: When we had 2 guest singers on the stage both with prepared songs – our friend Heather Stewart with “Let Your Love Flow” by the Bellamy Brothers and my Aunt Mindy with “San Antonio Rose.”
Three adjectives that describe the day are: fun, relaxed, and memorable
What advice would you give to someone planning their wedding? Don’t let stereotypical wedding accessories and traditions influence and affect planning. If it doesn’t work with your personality or overall design inspiration then nix it, don’t force it.
Best advice or most memorable comment someone made to you during the wedding celebration: Many of the guests stayed with us at the Gaylord Texan for the weekend. We had a shuttle bus carry us back from the ranch to the Gaylord after the party. That’s where and when all the toasts started happening. There were probably 30+ people on the bus and each of them one-by-one stood up (roadie in hand) and talked about what they love most about us! So very special – I wish this had been caught on tape!
Who was your most honored guest at the wedding? Thomas Michael Riley. We have seen him play many times and we were so thrilled when he accepted our offer to play the gig! He had told us one time “I don’t do weddings.” Many of his songs ha
ve special meanings to us and our relationship. It just wouldn’t have been the same without him.
What’s next for you as a couple? We got engaged, bought a house, combined our family, planned the wedding, and got married in 4 months time. Right now we are looking forward to settling into a routine with our family and just living life.

Congratulations Leigh+Kelly! We wish all the best to you and your family!

Written with love by Lara Casey