Dallas wedding planner FI | Keestone Events

The skies poured on Lauren + Nathan’s wedding day. Sarah, one of our Dallas wedding planners, initially planned and designed for an entirely outdoor affair; however, due to the severity of the rain, they shifted to Plan C. (Yes, you read right. It was that heavy, so we moved past Plan B).

Although this wasn’t the original plan, Plan C turned out to be one of our favorite pivots, ever. The indoor spaces were filled with lush flowers and greenery instead, which made things so intimate and cozy, paired with the soft glow of candles, and delicate clinking of china.

The ceremony was incredibly important to the couple, who really wanted to center it around their faith. From reciting their church’s creed, to scripture readings and prayers, there was also a foot washing ceremony. This was where both bride and groom took turns washing each other’s feet, which is a Christian-based tradition, representative of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples. It’s symbolic of the two humbling themselves and showing a commitment of being willing to serve one another in their relationship.

We started off with the ceremony at Nasher Hall, with guests recessing to the covered Terrace to enjoy cocktail hour. During that time, vendors flipped the space from ceremony to reception in record time. Guests then headed back downstairs to a completely transformed space, and it was so rewarding to hear their gasps of pleasure! Once speeches were over, the band came to lead the guests – Pied-Piper style – over to another area of the museum that had been turned into a dance floor space.

It was a great way to utilize all parts of the Nasher, which guests wouldn’t have been aware of if everything was outdoors, as part of the original plan. They were able to take a slow walk through the museum while following the band to dance the night away. At the end, it turned out to be a beautiful night, and the rain stopped just in time for Lauren and Nathan to have their grand exit with confetti.

Cheers to these newlyweds, who didn’t let a bit of rain dampen their celebration!

Tell us about your love story – how did you meet?

Funny story…..we actually met on a dating app! Both of us had hoped to meet someone the more traditional way, but God certainly had other plans. Both of us stepped outside our comfort zone and joined to simply see what was out there!

After a few weeks of being patient we found each other. When Nathan reached out he had so much to say and I could tell he was interested. We were always messaging back and forth in a true conversation…..not just the small talk way.

After about a week Nathan asked me to meet up with him in person. We had a few what we call “meet ups” at some local restaurants to get to know one another. Our true first date was a Bowen House as Nathan knew I had a thing champagne and crafty cocktails. From there we spent time visiting the Dallas Art Museum, playing mini golf and enjoying each other’s company.

On exactly 11 months from the day we first started talking Nathan asked me to marry him. He chose to make it a surprise…..which was very hard cause I am a snoop, but he definitely managed to surprise me! I thought I was going to a girls dinner with friends.

The spot he picked was Klyde Warren park at night with candles, flowers, champagne and a cake (made by a sweet friend). To the tune of music playing in the background he got down on one knee and asked me to marry him. Of course I said YES! We then went to the Happiest Hour where Nathan had friends and family waiting to celebrate with us. The night was such a surprise and looking back it was such a perfect evening.

One thing that is special is because one of our first dates was at the Dallas Art Museum and our wedding was at Nasher. We got engaged right at the corner of those two venues in Klyde Warren park. So it truly is our corner of memories!

Details

Getting Ready

What was your vision for the wedding?

Classic and timeless was the look we were going for on our special day. We wanted to look back years from now and still feel like we would have picked the same vision. Black and white have always been favorites when it comes to dressing up an event. We wanted it to be dressy and give our guests a reason to get dressed up and have a fun evening. I also loved the idea of incorporating the emerald and golds into the color palette to add additional colors.

It was important to us to have our faith incorporated into the day. We both have remained patient and faithful to wait all these years to find one another and wanted to take the time to honor that with our vows to one another privately during our first look as well as a few things during our ceremony. The reason we chose Nasher Sculpture Center was because it looks like a beautiful setting not in Dallas. So we felt like it gave the look of being in a different destination without having to travel far away.

It was important for us that our guests enjoyed the evening and felt like they were able to have a night out to enjoy themselves. We wanted to keep our guest count somewhat small as well. It felt intentional and that the people celebrating the day with us were people that had been in our lives for years and will also be in our lives for years to come.
First Look

Ceremony Details

What was your favorite part of the day?

It was such a fun day and there were so many magical moments. But I would say my most favorite was when Nathan and I were exchanging our private vows. In that moment it all was so real. I remember thinking I want to remember this moment for the rest of my life. I wanted time to stop and to stay in that moment.

Another favorite part of the day was getting ready with my two matrons of honor. They are amazing women and I am so blessed to call them my friends. It was such a low key morning and afternoon getting ready. We were just enjoying the time together and the company of one another.

I also really enjoyed celebrating dinner and dancing with our families and friends. To know that people travel from near or far to celebrate your special day was so meaningful. It was really a great time out on the dance floor enjoying our great band and just having fun!

Ceremony

Wedding Couple Pictures

Were there any sentimental moments/items incorporated to the wedding?

Items:
–For the bride – I included a piece of lace that belonged to my grandmother. It was used in some of my details pictures, but I then had the florist wrap it around the stems of my bridal bouquet; so as to feel her with me on the most important day of my life, even though she is no longer with us.

–For the groom – He used his grandfather’s wedding ring. I had it engraved with our wedding on the inside. He also carried pins from both his grandfathers in his pocket. He also carried a “M” monogrammed handkerchief from one of his grandfathers as well. It was a way for him to incorporate his grandfathers in our special day even though they are no longer with us.

Moments:
-Sharing our personal vows during our first look was so special. It was a time that we could spend with just one another and read the sentimental words that we wrote to one another. It felt like time had just stopped and we were able to take the whole day in together in those moments. Our talented friend Brandy Leyva of Leyco Lettering & Design Studio made us the most beautiful acrylic vow books to write our vows in and it made the moment even more special to have these wonderful keep sakes.

-Music as the bride was walking down the aisle (Can’t Help Falling In Love by Elvis Presley, but performed by Dallas Asian Strings). We had both heard this song before, but what made it special was that we heard it being played by a violinist during our engagement photoshoot at a location in Miami back in May 2022. We loved it!

The next day while eating lunch at a cafe before leaving Miami we heard it again and said that has to be the song for me to talk down the aisle to! After having chosen the song and telling my mother about it she then told me that it was a song that was used in my parents ceremony. It was really beautiful how all the little details entertained which made that moment even more special.

-Washing of each other’s feet. Nathan and I are strong Christians and truly believe the heart of a marriage is serving one another over oneself. I had heard of one other couple I knew years ago doing this and when I thought about it I asked Nathan what he thought. He immediately loved the idea and we worked with our pastor and Sarah to find a way to make sure it worked within the ceremony.

In the ceremony planning process it felt different to incorporate it and we wondered if our guests would think it was odd. But I am SO glad we kept in part of our ceremony and so many people told us after how it was so touching and brought them to tears. It was something not a lot of our guests had ever seen.

-Reading of scripture by bride’s brother and friend of the couple. It was important to use to have scripture as part of our ceremony. It also was important for the individuals reading the scripture to truly believe the words they were reading over our marriage. We are so grateful these two could play important roles in our special day.

-The groom’s dog is very special to him and since he could not be present at the wedding we incorporated a custom picture done by a friend on the bar. As well as a molded chocolate dog on the wedding cake.

Bridal Party

Reception Details

What advice do you have for other couples/brides-to-be?

-Trust your vendors….you chose them for a reason they are great at their jobs!
-Don’t over think things and get too much in your head.
-Try to enjoy the process as much as you can. Yes it can get stressful, but if you chose great vendors they will make your day great!
-At the end of the day keep the real reason in mind as to why you are having this day. It is to marry your best friend and spend your life with that person.
-Let the little things go and don’t get caught up on what you can’t control. What happens is going to happen.
-Surround yourself with loving and supportive family and friends. It’s important to have cheerleaders during the planning process and day of your wedding.
-Day of take it all in because like everyone tells you it really does go by so fast!

Reception