Real Wedding: Meredith & Patrick

Any wedding that includes a giant, 300-year-old oak tree is at the top of my list, and Meredith and Patrick were married under just such a tree. Working with a tight budget, the couple opted to hold their October wedding at the Texas home of the bride's parents. The reception took place in the barn/garage, and the exposed beams and cement floor gave the whole event a laid-back, down-home feeling - as did the family-style meal. By focusing on the beauty of the place and the season, they minimized the need for decorations, and saved even more by using seasonal elements like gourds, pumpkins and hay bales, and putting everything together themselves.


The peanuts were a fun little surprise for the groom and guests - Meredith calls Patrick P-Nut, so she made a special trip with her sister and two bridesmaids to pick up peanuts for the wedding.


This fabulous madras plaid, incorporated throughout the wedding, inspired the color scheme for the day.


























With so many special moments, it was tough for Meredith to pick just one favorite - all of the moments she shared with me were about family, which I think sums up the way she and Patrick thought about their wedding during the whole planning process. It really was an event that was all about bringing two families together.

Venue: Family home in Tioga, Texas

Stationery: The Future Mrs. Darcy

Bride's dress: Anne Barge

Shoe clips / flower girl headbands: B.Poetic

Bridesmaid dresses / flower girl dresses / ring bearer's tie: custom-designed and made by Bridal Portfolio

Bridesmaid shoes: Victoria's Secret

Bouquets: Dawn at A Twist of Lime

Cake (spice cake with raspberry and cream cheese filling): The Cake Stand

Congratulations to you Meredith and Patrick, and a big thank you for sharing your day with us - you know it's especially fun for me to feature a Texas wedding now that I'm living in Austin. And thank you to Jenny McCann who took these beautiful photos - I'm keeping my eye out for more of her work!