Dallas couple, Mary Margaret and David, met and fell in love in New York City. They were within walking distance to Central Park and wanted to bring that same “beautiful place in the heart of a big city” vibe to their wedding day. Marie Gabrielle, a garden oasis in uptown Dallas, provided them that space. Maxwell & Gray planned the al fresco event’s details including lush florals by Celebrate Dallas and a classic tiered cake by Sugar Social DFW while Cottonwood Road Photography was on hand to capture all the magic.
From the bride: It’s true what everyone always says, your wedding day goes by in a flash. And in a flash it went. The twinkly lights wrapped around the trees, the poetic vows, all of our favorite people. The scene was set as the sun fell and the breeze began to cool down around those gathering in celebration of a lifetime love. Our wedding included hints of Italy (including a pasta bar & wine) in the heart of a downtown Dallas garden venue. It was a dream. My husband and I fell in love in NY where adventure and love were all around. While I pursued Broadway, he was leading worship at a church that I happened to attend. From that moment, I knew he would be mine. Our love for music brought us closer together having such a huge impact on our relationship and at our wedding David and I danced to a song that he had written for me. Queue the tears. Amidst the warmth of the sparklers we kissed and headed off to Cancun to relax and enjoy our first few days as husband and wife.
We wanted our guests to experience a beautiful place in the heart of a big city. Falling in love in NY where central park was within walking distance was our inspiration for this. Every guest was greeted at the entrance with a glass of champagne. Prosecco is my favorite.
I chose my Justin Alexander gown for the full skirt and plunging neckline. My experience at Bridal Boutique in Lewisville was unlike any other I had had. I was greeted with champagne (a theme I continued at my wedding!) and was waited on hand and foot. We had searched what felt like a dozen bridal boutiques but it was only at Bridal Boutique in Lewisville that I truly felt the love and excitement they had for me and my day. My shoes had to be comfortable so Vince Camuto nude block heels were bought. I incorporated my something blue into several things including the ribbon on my bouquet, the candles lining the bar, and our guest book.
We didn’t want traditional bridesmaids and groomsmen up at the front with us but my best girls wore shades of pink and his guys wore black. My sister & her husband photographed the wedding which was incredibly special to me. We exchanged traditional vows but wrote our own and shared them with each other earlier in the day.
Our guests ate the most delicious appetizers including tomato basil soup shooters and grilled cheese, cheese and crackers, a mini crab cake and more. The music was all big band songs. Dinner was set under the shade of the trees on a warm spring evening. Immediate family members sat at a long french country table with walnut chairs with the guests seated at round tables among the garden. White and green florals with hints of dusty pale pink in my parents’ own vintage vases combined with loads of candles were the perfect table centerpieces.
My dad, Jon Flaming, did all of the graphic design work which was extremely special to me and my sister (Cottonwood Road Photography) photographed the day and my sister-in-law baked the cake! It was a family affair from the start and I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. My nephew was seriously the cutest ring bearer you ever saw.
We danced our first dance to The Way You Look Tonight and with our dad/mom to Unforgettable and of course we danced to the song that my sweet husband wrote for me that he began writing while we were dating. My wedding was everything I could have dreamed of and more.
And here is the proposal story written by the groom:
Originally, I had planned a proposal that involved surprising her during a photoshoot, but my wife is a little too inquisitive and astute to allow a surprise to just happen to her. With the help of my mother-in-law and sister-in-law, I made a new plan to surprise her with a sort of scavenger hunt that I was able to post online for her to follow.
The day started with a surprise lunch at Table 13. She thought we were going to eat together, but I ended up dropping her off with her mom, sister, and sister-in-law to enjoy a decorated table and a lunch with them. From there, I posted a photo of us online with a riddle for her: “You’ll want to change them again in a day or two, but I pinkie promise to always luxe you”, leading her to Pinkie Luxe to get her nails done. From there, I posted another photo with a riddle that read: “There isn’t a single thing you lack, I love you to the moon and MAC”, leading her to the MAC store to get her makeup done. Next, I posted one that said: “My love for you will never run dry, you’ve set the bar oh so high”, sending her to Drybar to get her hair done. Next, I posted one to guide her to meet me: “All day long you’ve waited for me, now I’m waiting for you beneath the tree”. She was driven to a park where I was waiting with some favorite music playing and a ring in my pocket. As she walked down the path to meet me, her brother-in-law, brother, and father all handed her roses with special reasons I love her and want to marry her. She rounded the final corner to find me waiting under a tree. I proposed to her there and she said yes!
Photography: Cottonwood Road Photography // Event Planning: Maxwell & Gray // Florals: Celebrate Dallas // Invitations: Jon Flaming Design // Wedding Venue: Marie Gabrielle // Hair: Textured by Meg // Make Up: Wendy Zerrudo // Photography Assistance: Hauser Photography // Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander // Wedding Dress: Bridal Boutique Of Lewisville // Cake: Sugar Social DFW // Film Lab: Goodman Film Lab // Catering: Marie Gabrielle // DJ: Le Force Entertainment // Ring Box: The Mrs. Box