Southern Weddings

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and with a guest list of 350+ and a bridal party of 20, Elle and Kegan’s wedding might just be the perfect example of that saying. Of course, when a real-life cowboy marries a wedding coordinator, the potential for a a perfectly Southern soirée abounds. Filled with monograms, yummy Southern delicacies, and an abundance of cowboy hats, Elle and Kegan’s wedding at Olde Dobbin Station sure did not disappoint. There is so much to love about their sweet day, but I’m most smitten with their focus on family and the future. As Elle said, “We knew that although we wanted a beautiful wedding, we will always want a beautiful marriage.”

Big Texas-sized hugs to Kelli Durham for sharing their romantic day with us!

Tell us about finding your wedding dress. I went to seven different bridal salons in Houston! Finally, after searching and searching for something special, I stumbled across a Monique Lhuillier trunk show. I tried on my gown and just knew!

Did you have something borrowed, blue, old, and new? If so, do tell! Yes! I borrowed a diamond bangle from my mom, my garter had blue stitching for my new monogram, my earrings were new, and I wore a rose gold ring that Kegan previously gave me for my something old.

The church where we had our ceremony is the most beautiful Catholic church near us. After I saw it, I knew I wanted to be married there. Our reception venue wasn’t too far away, and had the perfect Southern charm feel we were looking for…plus, it had the space we needed for 360 guests!

What Southern details or traditions did you include in your celebration? What was Southern about your wedding? There were monograms everywhere! We also had dinner stations for our meal that included fried chicken and biscuits, beef tenderloin, macaroni and cheese, and a mashed potato bar. We also served Popsicles late at night since it is so warm in Texas. Also, my husband is a cowboy and wore a hat the whole night!

Describe your wedding flowers. We did bright pink, coral, and blush flowers. Peonies are my favorite and I wanted them to be the star. Our florist, Maria, is a genius and she made our venue look like a garden!

What was one way you saved money or cut costs at your wedding? Rather than hire a popular cake baker, we hired a local lady who makes delicious cakes! She saved us a fortune!

We knew that although we wanted a beautiful wedding, we will always want a beautiful marriage. We tried to make decisions together, while also including our parents. Both of our parents celebrated their thirtieth anniversaries this year!

How did y’all meet? Tell us your love story. Kegan and I met at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. I was living in Houston with my girlfriends and he was living out in the country where he was raised. My friends and I were meeting up with some friends at Luke Bryan’s concert the night we met. I can still remember exactly what I was wearing, exactly where we were standing, and exactly what he said. From that point forward, we were inseparable.
Tell us all about the proposal! Kegan had plans to go skiing in Lake Tahoe for a bachelor party over spring break, and I must say, I was jealous. We decided that I would fly out towards the end of the week to meet him, and we would stay for a few extra days. The last night of our trip, we had dinner reservations at the Ritz-Carlton at Northstar Ski Resort. After dinner (which Kegan didn’t eat any of), he took me outside in the snow, in the middle of the mountains, and proposed. There was champagne and strawberries, the whole nine yards. It was amazing!
When did y’all get married? June 25, 2016
How many friends, family members, and loved ones attended your wedding? 360
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome while planning your wedding? I would say budget and guest count. We invited about 510 guests, which can be pretty pricey! We tried not to forfeit things we loved due to the high number of guests, and ended up working with our vendors to create a beautiful wedding that also suited the high guest count.
If you are comfortable responding, what range did your wedding budget fall into? More than $100,000
What was your most memorable moment about your wedding day? Seeing Kegan for the first time in the church.
What advice do you have for folks currently planning a wedding? Do it together! You may expect your future husband to be uninterested, but mine really appreciated being involved.
What’s next for you as a couple? What memories are you looking forward to making together? We hope to continue to build our home with our chocolate lab, Bella, and eventually start a family.

Photographer: Kelli Durham | Videographer: Brittan Pittman | Day-Of Coordinator: Savanna Gray of En Vogue Events | Ceremony Venue: St. Mary’s Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Olde Dobbin Station | Florist: Maxit Floral Design | Wedding Cake: Cakes by Blondie | Ice Cream: Steel City Pops | Caterer: Design II | Rentals: Aztec Events and Tents and A Memorable Event | DJ: LG Entertainment | Paper Products: Pink Champagne Paper | Bride’s Gown: “Saffron” by Monique Lhuillier | Bride’s Veil: Monique Lhuillier | Bride’s Jewelry: Michele Jewelry | Hair Stylist: Chelsea Binford of The Factory Salon | Makeup Artist: Holly Shrieve and Pop of Pink Cosmetics | Bride’s Shoes: Sofia Webster | Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Various by Amsale | Menswear: Vera Wang by Men’s Wearhouse

Written with love by Marissa