Garden Themed North Texas Wedding: Vintage, Pressed-flower Cake, and Perfect Summer Wedding Timeline
FAMOUS (TO-US) SCR BRIDE
When Hannah Herd’s contact form came through, a little movie-star-struck bolt of lightning went through the whole family and me! The Fullertons have been in the Jacksboro-Loving-Jermyn-Graham area for several generations. Herd’s Burgers is still a nostalgic trip for lunch we regularly make with the family. We rolled out the red carpet for her, and to our delight, Hannah was exactly the kind-hearted type of bride we adore working with. Hannah and I talked almost every week and her wedding day was stress-free and perfect, just like we both wanted.
Bride’s sweet words the day after the wedding:
Thank you for all you did to help me, Kalli! It was the most perfect day; I wouldn't change anything. I had so many people comment on how beautiful and neat the venue was!
So many people complimented me on how calm and smooth the day was because of "my" planning.
I felt guilty taking all the credit! There's no way I could have done it without all of your help and input.
Not that you need to hear it from me, but you are definitely doing what you are called to do! Thank you so much!
GOLDEN RULE FOR OUTDOOR WEDDINGS
Hannah and Shawnee chose the last weekend in May to celebrate their love, and like the best-couple, they followed the Summer Wedding Golden Rule for outdoor weddings — a ceremony no more than 1.5 hours before sunset. I was also a May bride, and my ceremony was at 7 pm to follow the golden rule of summer weddings, which was perfect.
BRIDAL PARTY ARRIVE 9 AM
THE CEREMONY STARTS AT 7 PM
RECEPTION CONCLUDES AT 11:30 PM
TEXAS SUMMER WEDDING PLANNING
Summer brides like Hannah and I have the entire day to spend with our best friends and get ready slowly. Winter weddings often have a 7 or 8 am hair and make-up start time since ceremonies are closer to 4 and photos are closer to 2 pm. Summer brides take their time and use their later ceremony time (1-1.5 hours before sunset) to have lunch at their leisure without rushing, lots of time for detail photos, bridal photos, family photos, bridesmaids photos, and first-look photos.
For a summer wedding, because the ceremony is late, we highly recommend a first look so that you can use your extended day-hours on photos and the evening dancing the night away with your love!
Summer weddings also make you focus on what you want on your wedding day. A summer reception is usually right at 4 hours, so traditional things a couple isn’t overly excited about should be cut — like the garter toss, shoe game, etc. Love those things keep them, but find the other “expected” traditions and cut any that don’t get your heart pounding!
Traditions we’ve seen couples cut to have more time to just soak in each other and their friends
1) Cake cutting
2) Garder Toss
3) Bouquet Toss
4) Shorten cocktail hour and replace with a pre-ceremony welcome period
5) Making guests wait to start dinner until the couple is back from photos (just delays the fun parts of the night!)
6) Meet-and-greet with guests (this isn’t necessary if it’s not what you want to spend your time doing!)
CEREMONY AT THE GROVE
Keep scrolling to see the cutest ring-bearer black lab and stunning summer wedding for these two at The Gove ceremony site at Sparrow Creek Ranch.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SPARROW CREEK RANCH FOR YOUR
GARDEN-THEMED WEDDING?
We are both very family oriented and SCR is located extremely close to both of our famililes. It seemed like (and is) a venue run be people who genuinely care about the success of your wedding and your happiness. It matches us perfectly because he is definitely a "rustic" kind of guy, and I love all things vintage, antique, and repurposed. It will be the perfect place to have a wedding that is both beautiful and accommodating to all the people we love and want there.
Most of the decorations I am bringing have come from antique stores, thrift shops, or even garage sales. I am using various colored glass bottles, small vintage lamps, silver trays, candlesticks, etc., as centerpeices or just miscellaneous decoration. I have been shopping for these since before Shawnie and I were even engaged hahaha! But I had a vision, and I knew what I wanted. I know it will come together beautifully. Also...these decorations somehow survived my family's home being destroyed by a tornado!
WEDDING PARTY PHOTOS
The classic cowboy looks Shawnee wore were perfect with Hannah’s elegant garden-themed look, from her whimsical wedding gown to her colorful bouquet. The light pink bridesmaid’s dresses were the final touch to bring the entire wedding party look together!
ADVICE FOR NEWLY ENGAGED COUPLED COUPLES
I've only just started planning, but I can already tell that it is very easy to get caught up in trying to have the "perfect Pinterest wedding." I would say, and I keep telling myself this as well, to not get caught up in that. Yes, I want my wedding to be beautiful, but I want to just enjoy the planning process and the wedding day even more. Don't do something just because everyone does it, or because it's what you're "supposed" to do. Make it about you and your future spouse.
ADORABLE FLOWER-PRESSED WEDDING CAKE FOR A GARDEN THEME AT SPARROW CREEK RANCH
Krazy Cakes made my Krissy is a SCR vendor we see nearly every single weekend! She can truly make anything from the bold to the chic. She has a creative eye and an ability to make something gorgeous for your wedding day everyone will think you ordered from Dallas.
SCR - DFW WEST - WEDDING VENDORS THE BRIDE LOVED
Tell us in your own words why you loved your vendors?
So many! The SCR vendor list was an amazing tool, these are just my top recommendations!
First, Emily Short Photography - she's just so fun to work with and the pictures are all just so beautiful. I want to use her for any pictures I ever want to take again-EVER!
Madison Wilkins for Hair and Makeup - Made me feel like an enhanced version of myself and not a different person. I have gotten SO many compliments on mine and the bridesmaids hair and makeup.
Ken EG for DJ - He was so helpful in putting together a day-of game plan that was really valuable for day-of flow.
Mark Waggoner -He's just a really friendly guy and way more helpful than I expected out of a bartender!
DIY PHOTO BOOTH
How cute is this DIY photo booth area they set up on the Creekside Patio for guests to use! They used a SCR arch, candelabras, and suitcases in the best way! We love our couples finding fun ways to use our vintage decor.
BRIDE’S REVIEW:
My husband and I got married at Sparrow Creek Ranch in May. Initially, the location was the most attractive feature of SCR because both of our families are from the area…but man am I so glad this is the venue we chose! The venue itself is beautiful, and I promise you won’t find another one like it. So many of my guests commented on the uniqueness of SCR. Included with the venue comes so many components that will prove to be very valuable in the planning process (e.g., tables, chairs, arches, decoration, etc.). Along with the items included, the resources given to you once you book are beyond helpful in choosing wonderful vendors. Kalli was so helpful throughout the entire planning process and answered any questions I had along the way. She is such an intentional and genuine person, and I could tell she cared about the success of my wedding like it was her own. In addition to all things included, Kalli was a valuable resource herself. The weekend package was 100% worthwhile as it made wedding day smooth and easy. I had several people tell me I was the calmest bride they’d ever seen on her wedding day; That is completely attributable to having Friday to set up. I could keep going on and on but bottom line is…I would recommend SCR to anyone and everyone. Kallie, Kevin, and Allen care deeply about the success and happiness of SCR weddings, and it is so evident in how they treat their couples. Our wedding day at SCR was just the sweetest and most precious day, and one we are so blessed to have had.
SCR BRIDE & GROOM’S LOVE STORY
HOW DID THEY MEET?
Our sisters introduced us...kind of! I saw him at Jacksboro's homecoming parade, where he was driving our little sisters' class float. I thought he was the most handsome man I'd ever seen! I told my sister I thought he was really good-looking, and she mentioned it to his little sister, who showed him my Instagram. He "slid into my dm's" and asked me what the secret ingredient to Herd's Hamburgers was-hahaha. He asked me on a date on Instagram, but I backed out when it came time (worst decision ever). I realized that about a month later, texted him to see if he was still interested (he was obviously), and we finally got to go on our first date!
HOW DID HE PROPOSE?
We LOVE hiking and had made plans to spend a Saturday at Turner Falls exploring their "caves" and hiking. Shawnie planned to ask me while we were there, thinking it would be very scenic. However, it was not at all what we were expecting. He asked in one of the few scenics and private spots we saw that day: a field of wildflowers. It was honestly the best day because we spent the whole time just laughing at each other and making the best out of something we were totally not expecting. I think it's a beautiful reflection of how our life will be together, Just rolling with the punches and having the best time doing it because we're with each other.
What moment are you most looking forward to on your wedding day? (Make sure your photographer knows to capture it!)
FULL VENDOR TEAM
Woodshed Works Flowershop
Krazy Cakes
Madiosn Wilkins Hair and Makeup
