Father-of-the-Bride Themed Garden Wedding /// #TheHandsomeHowards /// Meredith + Anson, the full film

"Anson, you're one lucky guy"

Be prepared to be inspired by love. This magnolia-filled Southern garden wedding had more than enough laughter and love to fill up a landscape.  Over the course of the film, you'll discover why Anson is one lucky guy, how Meredith has 19 bridesmaids and even more treasured memories, and how a funny card with a picture of a bottle of tabasco sauce set their love story in motion. [vimeo]https://vimeo.com/117348990[/vimeo]

Soundtrack: "Love on the Run" by Kerry Muzzey ---licensing through Music Bed "Sweetness" by Dan Masquelier ---licensING through Creative Commons "It had to be You" by Frank Sinatra ---licensING through SongFreedom.com "Already There" by Josh Woodward ---licensING through Creative Commons "Opposites in Love" by The Speedbumps ---licensING through MusicBed.com "Mount Sol" by Afterlife Parade ---licensING through MusicBed.com "Diamond in a Coal Mine" by Holley Maher ---licensING through MusicBed.com "Tasting Sunshine" by The Rival ---licensING through MusicBed.com "In the Midst" by A New Normal --- licensING through MusicBed.com "How Sweet it Is to be Loved by You" by Marvin Gaye --- licensING through Songfreedom.com

The weekend began with a fantastic fall-themed rehearsal dinner at the Bay City Country Club. With deep roots in Texas, the father of the bride revealed that due to the wonderful people and enduring friendships that Matagorda County had provided to their family, he truly felt that "I wasn't born in Matagorda County, but I got here as quickly as I could."

 "He's a modern day version of John Wayne!"

On the day of the wedding, Anson and his groomsmen set out for a skeet shoot at Red Bluff Ranch.  Later, they dined on a hearty BBQ lunch at the ranch house, where Anson gifted each groomsman with custom monogrammed shotgun cases. Meanwhile, the ladies enjoyed a magnolia themed brunch with a live harpist playing classical music.  Each bridesmaid was presented with a pewter magnolia embossed tray, and Meredith was given a beautiful mirror-faceted box with letters from each friend, recounting her favorite memory with the bride.

Meredith's favorite movie growing up was "Father of the Bride," so naturally, she and her parents wanted to host Meredith's wedding in their family home! So, back at the bride's childhood home, Elizabeth Swift  and her fantastic crew from Swift + Company bustled in both the front and back gardens setting up every detail.  Magnolia leaf garlands stretched as far as the eye could see in all of the decor---from the circular bar that wrapped around Meredith's favorite live oak tree to the massive chandelier overhanging the acrylic dance floor that had been built just above the family swimming pool.

Later at the Bay City Country Club, Meredith shared a very sweet moment with her bridesmaids when she revealed her wedding dress to them for the first time---a couture dress inspired by her own design.

Something Borrowed, Something Blue

Special details and tokens were very important to Meredith and showcased in her bridal attire. She had a garter worn by many of her Kappa sorority sisters with each one's initials and wedding date embroidered around the edges in baby blue. Meredith also wore a 1945 British sixpence in her shoe that belonged to Anson's great grandfather, William Anson. He had moved from England to settle the Head of the River Ranch in Christoval, Texas, which is where Anson eventually proposed to Meredith.  Traditionally, a sixpence is a symbol that the couple will be blessed with love, happiness, and success.

 Oh, Happy Day!

Guests were greeted at cocktail hour during the wedding reception by the Choraleers and bountiful seafood buffets.  They mingled on the front lawn until the gates to the back gardens opened, and the Choraleers sang around them as they passed through the gates to the reception. The gorgeous cakes were positioned just inside the English manor house along with special photographs of the bride and groom.  Anson's cake was especially spectacular---a beautiful chocolate sculpture of his hunting dog, Gunner, in pursuit of quail perched on chocolate-sculpted trees.  Guests could treat themselves to a coffee bar while watching a slideshow of the newlyweds in their early years growing up with their familes.  Additionally, party attendees indulged in an enticing candy display featured in apothecary jars reminiscent of an old world pharmacy.  Outside, lavish buffets were positioned under each tent and along several garden pathways. Stockholm lanterns hung from the wild branches of live oak trees as they stretched toward the starry sky above, illuminating the festivities that ended a perfect day.

 Gratitude

Beyond every magical detail and meaningful moment, this is a story of gratitude:

Gratitude between friends for adventures shared at camp, boarding school, and college.

Gratitude between siblings for camaraderie and family tradition.

Gratitude between parents and children for a lifetime of love already lived.

Gratitude between a newly-married couple for adventures already had and for the lifetime to come.

Event Design & Production:   Elizabeth Copeland Swift, Swift + Company Event Planning:  Katy Priesler with Keely Thorne Events Photographer: Chris Bailey Videographer: Chris P. Jones & Kourtney Amelia Schopper, Mason Jar Films Artistic Director: Peter Duffney, Swift + Company Floral Design:  Wrey Wrest, Swift + Company Sanctuary and Bridal Floral Design: Yvonne Klein and Ester Gomez Caterer: Swift + Company Menu Coordinator:  Melissa Tramuto Fuentes, Swift + Company Bakery: Susie's Cakes Groom's cake: Finale by Glenna Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Bay City Country Club Rehearsal Dinner Entertainment: Lucky Strikes - Austin, TX Ceremony Venue:  First United Methodist Church Ceremony Performance: Divisi Strings Wedding Reception Venue: Private Estate Cocktail Entertainment: The Choraleers - Houston, TX Reception Entertainment Band: Simply Irresistible - Atlanta, GA Skeet Shooting Venue: Red Bluff Ranch Lighting: Lite Productions & Aztec Magnolia garlands: The Magnolia Company - Barberville, FL Transportation: Karr Transportation Getaway car: Jordan Limousine Dress: Casa De Novia Tuxes: Al's Formal Wear Watercolor "Save the Date" Artist: Inslee Haynes Fariss - New York, NY Calligrapher:  Maureen Vickery

Backyard Father-of-the-Bride Themed Wedding /// #TheHandsomeHowards /// Meredith + Anson, the intro

We have been excited to film this wedding ever since we met Meredith, the bride, in our offices on South Congress in Austin. On a golden afternoon, she sat on our couch with the sunlight in her hair and described to us what her wedding would be like in magical detail--dripping in magnolia garlands, filled with gratitude, and conducted in the place that she loved most--her childhood home. She told us about how special her parents and siblings are to her, and how much fun she and Anson, her groom, have while hunting--so much so, in fact, that the groom's cake was going to be a life-like chocolate-sculpted replica of Anson's hunting dog (Gunner!) going after some unsuspecting chocolate-carved quail. We couldn't wait to see the Marines' saber arch at the ceremony, the choraleers performing in front of her home at cocktail hour, or the boat-neck wedding dress which Meredith designed herself.  While at her rehearsal dinner, we learned during the speeches that her family even has their own vernacular:

fellowship:  (noun) a party, a gathering boppers:  (noun) a person of quality with whom anyone would love to spend time

Their wedding was most certainly a fellowship of boppers if ever we saw one!   Enjoy this introduction to their full film we are creating for them. This little sneak peek video we are sharing today is a highlight of Meredith's love for the movie 'Father of the Bride,' a feature of her own father's poetic story-telling, and a tribute to the future that #TheHandsomeHowards will share together.

[vimeo]https://vimeo.com/108540656[/vimeo]

This gorgeous groom's cake was created by Finale by Glenna based in Houston.  Featuring a pointing hunting dog, it was surrounded by chocolate sculpted tree branches with quail perched all around.  The groomsmen were in such awe of the cake that they couldn't even fathom the idea of cutting into it!  Now, you know it's gorgeous if men are hesitant to take a knife to this cake. :)

The Proposal: "Our favorite thing to do together is hunting and spending time outdoors and drinking champagne! At Anson's Ranch in Christoval, Texas (The Head of the River Ranch), we were on a turkey hunt, and Anson slipped the ring into my glove!" --Meredith

Meredith also told us that she was most looking forward to showing her friends and family how wonderful Bay City is, and having the opportunity to give back to a town that has been so wonderful to her. She couldn't wait to see Anson in his Marine Uniform for the first time, and to show off her wedding dress to her friends since she designed it. She also couldn't wait to dance with all 19 of her bridesmaids to the amazing performances of Simply Irresistible Band, a party band so great that Meredith's family brought them to Texas all the way from Atlanta, Georgia!

Event Planning:  Katy Priesler with Keely Thorne Events Event Design & Production:   Elizabeth Copeland with Swift + Company Venue: Private Estate + First United Methodist Church Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Bay City Country Club Skeet Shooting Venue: Evan's Ranch Photographer: Chris Bailey Caterer: Swift + Company Events Bakery: Susie's Cakes Groom's cake: Finale by Glenna Band: Simply Irresistible Lighting: Lite Productions & Aztec Magnolia garlands: Magnolia Company Transportation: Karr Transportation Ceremony Performance: Divisi Strings Dress: Casa De Novia Tuxes: Al's Formal Wear

Texas Hill Country || #WeddedWoodards || Hailey + Ryan, the full film

"I knew that no matter what happened, I'd be marrying him." 

This Texas wedding is full to the brim with joy and with hearty, throw-back-your-head-and-laugh moments----but beyond the jokes of state and sports rivalry (we heard many cries of "boomer, sooners" and "hook em, horns!"), stories of mis-adventures with a cactus, a cornucopia of exotic animals (well hello, zedonks, camels, and kangaroos!), and a troupe of dancing, singing bridesmaids who make the bride's day seem like a scene in a musical, this love story is a model of what it means to appreciate true beauty. The beauty of this wedding story lies in more than just the serene Texas hill country landscape--it is found in the tender moments of appreciation--as the bride and groom reflect on their hand-written letters from each other, as Ryan cries when Hailey walks down the aisle, and even late after midnight as they both hug Hailey's parents good night, thanking them for the beautiful evening and joking about hiding extra breakfast tacos in the fridge and who ate the most hot-dogs. The beauty of this story is also in the family legacy of doting grandparents, and the deep and abiding adoration of siblings who also happen to be the bride and groom's dearest friends.   So take a seat, grab a tissue, and press play.  Oh, and watch out for the moment when Hailey's grandfather gets in the biggest prank of the day: [vimeo]http://vimeo.com/100810387[/vimeo] Soundtrack: "Your First Light My Eventide" by The Echelon Effect "Say I do" by Humming House "Book Ends" by Adam Agin, member of the band Neulore "Fallin' For You" by Seth Philpott (with Texas ties--he's a Baylor University grad!) "I Like to be With Me When I'm With You" by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors Hailey's "first look" with her father was such a sweet moment----her, an anxious bride, wringing her hands as she waited to see him, and he, a first-time father-of-the-bride, overcome so much by his daughter's beauty that he could hardly speak above a whisper once he saw her.  We thought they were so precious, and so we featured this thoughtful little tie that she had made for her dad in our Father's Day celebration video compilation that was featured on Style Me Pretty.  

To Hailey and Ryan, and all of their sweet, sweet family members--Thank you for allowing us to create a wedding video for you that you will treasure.  Thank you for being such a beautiful example of laughter, love, and camaraderie.   We were so grateful to work alongside such happy, helpful, and talented vendors, too:

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Private Estate in Kerrville, TX Event Design, Florist, & Day/Reception Coordinator: Tricia Hamil, Viridian Design Ceremony Coordinator: Sherry Wright Wedding Photographer:  Brooke Schwab Photography Photo Booth: Smilebooth Lighting: Ilios Caterer: Don Strange of Texas Reception Band: Signed, Sealed, Delivered (from DFW) with Absolute Entertainment Lounge/Decor Rentals: Aztec Bride's Shoes: Prada All Musical track licensed through The Music Bed

Texas Hill Country || #WeddedWoodards || Hailey + Ryan, the intro

"This was her favorite place." 

At the end of their wedding reception, I rode with the bride and groom in their Jeep to the Lake House where they would gather around a campfire eating breakfast tacos with friends late into the night.  As the sparklers faded into the distance, Ryan decided we should take a short detour first and instead drive over to the ceremony location for one last look at the arbor where he and Hailey Catherine had exchanged vows earlier that evening.  As I filmed them dancing under the rustic arbor covered in pink roses, they started to talk about what would inspire a couple from Oklahoma to bring almost 500 of their friends and family to a secluded canyon-side lake in the foothills of Texas.    The answer lies in the bride's middle name.  Whether it's fate or chance, Hailey Catherine grew up to be considered by many to be a carbon copy of her grandmother Catherine, who she was named for.  Catherine and her husband have owned this ranch for many decades, and although she has passed away, her love for this lake with its sweet little island is what prompted Hailey and Ryan to make their own vows of eternal devotion in this very spot.  They chose to do so not only because it was Catherine's favorite place, but also because of what Catherine said to Hailey before she passed away almost five years earlier.

[vimeo]http://vimeo.com/96112541[/vimeo] Soundtrack: "Your First Light My Eventide" by The Echelon Effect

We have been looking forward to filming this wedding ever since we first spoke with Hailey several months ago.   Ryan describes Hailey as "outgoing, sincere, and beautiful."  When we asked Hailey for three words that describe Ryan, she said he was "handsome, passionate, genuine, and intelligent" before joking with us that she can't count or prioritize.  We adored their spunky, fun personalities, and couldn't wait til this weekend arrived.   Hailey wrote to us that they were most looking forward to just finally being married. She said, "A lot of times the huge escapade of weddings take away from what we're here for. On our wedding day we are so excited to be married and call each other husband and wife."

Honestly, Cypress Springs Ranch really ought to be renamed "Surprise" Springs Ranch.  As if a family ranch isn't delightful and comforting enough, Hailey's grandfather has gone and created the most magical world for all of his progeny to enjoy--the ranch is filled with bison, elk, camels, zedonks, kangaroos, ostriches, longhorns, miniature horses, watusi, and more.  There was even a baby alpaca that was new to the ranch this year.  Hailey's grandfather is also known as the chief prank ring-leader -- right after Hailey & Ryan were pronounced husband and wife, her grandfather and some cousins had rigged some tannerite in the canyon to surprise all the guests with its echoey, canon-like boom in celebration.

During one of our consultations, I asked Hailey to list her favorite genres of music.  She listed "Disney" as one of the three, and then she promptly confessed that she and her sisters would most likely burst into song and dance over the course of the wedding day.  See why we were looking forward to this so much?   The lodge on the ranch where Hailey got ready for the wedding is the ultimate hunter's oasis --with more taxidermy than Beauty and the Beast's Gaston could ever hope to find.  (Sing it with me: "I use antlers in all of my decorating...")  The bride wore sparkling Prada sandals for the wedding ceremony, and custom-monogrammed leather boots that also featured the wedding date on the side straps and said "Texas Fight" across the back.

Their dog, Ranger, was the official ring bearer (look at that sweet face).  He wore a properly-dapper American Flag bow-tie, as any classy dog would, and he was escorted down the aisle by several young "cadets" in camo dinner jackets.

At the end of the reception, guests gathered outside the tent for a surprise round of fireworks, and a live fire-dance performance.   Guests called out to Ryan, "kiss your bride! Kiss your bride!" as the fireworks echoed overhead.

The proposal story:

On Saturday September 28, 2013, Hailey and Ryan were planning on going sky diving in Skiatook, OK.  This was Ryan's graduation gift for Hailey from her MBA.  Little did Hailey know, Ryan had plans to propose after they landed on the ground from jumping out of the plane.  However, sky diving was canceled due to rain, so Ryan had to think quickly and revert to Plan B, because family and friends were waiting for them both at his parents' house.

He convinced Hailey to go with him under the guise that they "needed to stop by his parents to pick up fair tickets," and as they were walking into the house, he stopped her before the door and got down on one knee.  It was not the engagement he planned on, but it was the perfect one in her eyes.   Family and friends were waiting inside, including Hailey's two best friends (Brooke Watson and Megan Moran) from Austin who Ryan had flown in for the occasion.  The rest of the day was spent celebrating and being with the ones they love.

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Private Estate in Kerrville, TX Event Design, Florist, & Day/Reception Coordinator: Tricia Hamil, Viridian Design Ceremony Coordinator: Sherry Wright Wedding Photographer:  Brooke Schwab Photography Photo Booth: Smilebooth Lighting: Ilios Caterer: Don Strange of Texas Reception Band: Signed, Sealed, Delivered (from DFW) with Absolute Entertainment Lounge/Decor Rentals: Aztec

Bride's Shoes: Prada

Musical track licensed through The Music Bed

We've been featured! Rustic Lake-side Wedding || Once In A Lifetime

[pix_dropcap]W[/pix_dropcap]hat an honor!  An online German bridal magazine (similar to Style Me Pretty) has featured Kellye & Dustin's wedding video & story as an example of true romance.  Who could argue with that when they see that these childhood sweethearts exchanged personalized vows like these?

"I promise to kiss you

first thing each morning,

and last thing each evening,

so long as we both shall live."

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Click here to see the perfect rustic wedding photos that Genya from Vue Photography took at the event.  The famed Tara Wilson (who has been featured on morning shows like the TODAY show and manymore!) of Tara Wilson Events coordinated and designed this backyard soirée.

romantische hochzeit in texas hochzeitvideos rustikale gartendeko

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Private Home

Event Design, Styling & Coordination: Tara Wilson & Lee Anne Jackson of Tara Wilson Events

Photographer: Vue Photography Catering: Sissy's Southern Kitchen

Florist: Branching Out

Reception Band: The Good Nights

Cake: Cake Walk Bake Shop

paper goods: Blue Eye Brown Eye

Bride's Dress: Monique Lhuillier

Bride's Shoes: Christian Louboutin