Ready for our latest wedding? Yes it has been a few weeks but we are finally ready for our first wedding of 2010. Our first featured couple of the year hail from Houston, Texas!
How the first Met:
“Jackie”: Jim and I met during our junior year of high school. We tried our hand at love then, but realized we were better off as friends. Twelve years later we came to meet again through classmates.com. After exchanging emails and phone calls for months we decided to meet for dinner. The rest they say, is history.
How he proposed:
“Jim”: Jackie is a tough one to surprise. She has good intuition. She is a planner and asks so many questions that she’ll get to the bottom of what’s going on. So I knew I had to put an elaborate plan together and I sat on the ring for several months trying to come up with the best and most memorable proposal in the history of proposals. I knew I wanted to do it as a separate event and not tie it into a holiday or some sort of New Year’s countdown. And to Jackie was sure I was going to do something, so when the holidays past and I hadn’t done anything, she was upset. Two weeks before the date was picked I rushed to put something together. I didn’t know exactly how I was going to do it, but I knew I wanted to surprise her and I knew that I wanted our families and close friends, that mean so much to us, to be there to share it with us. First, I made sure her sister was there unexpectedly from out of town, I had to have a plan for all of my family from out of town too, her son was in on it, and of course I had to talk to her Dad and ask for permission all without the novice detective in my house knowing a thing…..
I started off with making it as we would have the weekend to our selves, but nothing big really planned. Maybe we would go out, maybe we wouldn’t. We started off the night with us going to dinner. Unknown to her everyone was already at the restaurant waiting on us. They didn’t know if I was going to ask her there or ask her before we got there. I wasn’t sure either.
We starting pulling out of the driveway on the way to one of our favorite Mexican restaurants (running an hour late) and I stopped the car “to get something I forgot”. I rushed inside, grabbed a bag of rose petals, put out and lit a 100 tea candles, and had the music on pause waiting for her to come through the door. I then called her to ask her to help me (she came in a little agitated that I had to call her to help for something I couldn’t really explain), I pressed play and she came in to me on one knee with our song playing in the background (Billy Currington – She’s Got a Way With Me). She was completely shocked, but the surprise wasn’t over yet….
We headed out and got to the restaurant (Cyclone Anaya’s) and went to the patio where I had reserved some tables before. Everyone was there. Her sister from Tulsa, my brother from Austin, my mom from Atlanta, and the really neat part is this was the first time our families had met and they were already enjoying each other’s company over a few margaritas before we even got there.
Still to date, the best surprise I have ever planned and in a lot of ways a surprise to me how it all came together. Sometimes the best things in life aren’t planned the way you want, they just work out and the memories you have are how it all came together….
What were the main colors & theme of your wedding?
We wanted our wedding to be a celebration of our love for one another, for our families and for our histories. We wanted rustic elegance and romance and chose some of my favorite colors for fall weddings: chocolate brown, ivory, gold and accents of sage.
Did you incorporate anything unique into your wedding?
First look- Originally, seeing each other before the ceremony was not part of the plan. Wanting to keep with tradition we didn’t even consider it. However, after speaking with our photographer regarding the time of our ceremony, we gave it a second thought. We are so glad we changed our minds. The quiet moments we shared together before the ceremony were special and didn’t take away any excitement when walking the aisle.
How did you choose your wedding venue?
We researched many venues around the Houston and surrounding areas for something “different.” The moment we walked the grounds of La Tranquila Ranch with Sandra we knew it was what we were looking for. With what we had in mind, we knew it would be beautiful.
Ceremony
We chose to hire a string trio to perform during the ceremony. Their sound was beautiful and a perfect match for the outdoor setting.
After Jim and I exchanged vows and rings, my son Aaron joined us in front for the Family Medallion Ceremony. During this time Jim and I presented Aaron with a necklace signifying the importance of our new family unit. We pledged our continuing love to him, and the three of us recited a family prayer. It was one of my favorite parts of the ceremony.
Incorporating Cultural Traditions and Latina Background?
To celebrate my Mexican heritage we had Mariachis perform during the cocktail hour and at the beginning of dinner. We also had our DJ, Mario, spin some of my families favorite Tejano and Salsa hits.
To honor Jim’s heritage we had Irish dancers perform after dinner. The traditional costumes and dances were fantastic. I also wore a sixpence, my something borrowed from my best friend Larissa, in my shoe for luck.
Did you integrate any DIY (do-it-yourself) elements?
Yes. The DIY elements not only saved money, they made our wedding day a little more personal. Our Save-the-date postcards, flowered monogram letters, programs, menu cards, cocktail napkins and out-of-town welcome bags were some of our projects.
Custom cake toppers and cookie favors
Our custom cake toppers were a gift from my sister Monica, my maid of honor. Nicole, the artist, did an outstanding job creating our “mini-me’s.” The detail was incredible! Our custom Gig’em cookie favors were a tribute to Jim’s Alma Mater, Texas A&M University.
What would you do different?
During the planning process? I would have accepted the help offered by family and friends. By wanting to keep an “element of surprise” for our guests, I took care of the details on my own. Planning a wedding for 250+ guests was stressful at times.
The Wedding Day? No. Even though the day went by quickly, we enjoyed every aspect of it. My advice for future brides is to take time to look around and absorb it all. The amount of pure joy and love that radiated from our family and friends was overwhelming.
Vendors:
Venue: Tranquila Ranch
Florist: Tennilles
Cake: Klein’s Bakery:
Catering: Ral’s Fine Catering
Invitations: Spice Paper Designs
Entertainment: McTeggart Irish Dancers.
Mariachi Calmecac
Hair and Makeup: Hues by Heather (Aks for Sherie)
String Trio: Divisi Strings
Lighting & Gobo: Texas Events
Linens and chairs: Elegant Beginnings
Day of Coordinator: Soiree Bliss
Custom Cookie favors: Frosted Bakery Online
Custom Cake Topper- www.nicolewclark.com
