Location: Dripping Springs, Texas, USA
Setting: Resort
Wedding season: Spring
The number of guests: 150
How long did the couple plan the event: 14 months
Wedding theme/style: Classic, timeless, whimsical greenery, simple.
Sydney and Reid’s love story began at Texas Tech University. Both were on the cusp of graduating when they crossed paths and decided to embark on their journey together. Reid hailed from Houston, Texas, and had always envisioned returning to his hometown to work for his family’s business. Sydney, on the other hand, had already secured a job in Houston. This shared destination influenced their decision to move to Houston and start their lives together even before they officially started dating.
The harmony between their contrasting personalities makes Sydney and Reid’s relationship unique. Reid is reserved, quiet, and deliberate, while Sydney is brimming with energy, outgoing, and a tad impulsive. Their differences complemented each other perfectly and brought out the best in each other.
The couple chose Camp Lucy, a picturesque resort in Dripping Springs, Texas, as the backdrop for their spring wedding. The venue’s blend of a restored 19th-century French colonial chapel and a repurposed 1800s Amish barn provided a perfect setting for their classic, timeless, and whimsical greenery-inspired wedding.
Every detail of Sydney and Reid’s wedding was incredibly well-thought-out, with particular attention given to the stationery. The delicate calligraphic script in shades of blue, white, cream roses, and greenery was meticulously chosen to reflect the couple’s wedding style perfectly.
In the morning, Sydney prepared for her wedding with her beloved mother by her side. Choosing Chanel Coco Mademoiselle as her bridal fragrance, Sydney adorned herself in a classic gown. Completing her ensemble were the timeless Badgley Mischka pumps, a wedding classic.
Sydney opted for a simple, natural makeup look, staying true to her everyday style. Considering the unpredictable Texas weather, her hair was elegantly styled, keeping it off her face to ensure it remained pristine throughout the day.
Sydney’s bridal look reflected her penchant for timeless and classic style. She chose a traditional a-line dress with a spaghetti strap v-neck and a low back adorned with a tulle bow. The dress’s bow was unique, with tulle ends as long as the dress train. For the reception, the planner Lotus Events cut the bow ends to match the length of the bustled train. Sydney complemented her attire with a classic veil featuring faint pearl details, checking the pearl earrings she wore, which had sentimental value as they belonged to her late grandmother.
The first look with the bridesmaids was an emotional and joyful moment when Sydney’s closest friends saw her in her wedding attire for the first time. The bridesmaids’ ensembles were also beautifully coordinated and refined, with each wearing silk dresses in a delicate cream color and holding a bouquet reminiscent of the bride’s bouquet.
Reid prepared for the wedding surrounded by his friends. For his wedding attire, he chose a classic tuxedo with a bow tie, straight-cut trousers complemented by satin inserts on the sides, and a silk cummerbund. The groom’s entire look was exquisite and timeless.
The first look of the bride and groom at every wedding is one of the most anticipated and touching moments. At this wedding, the moment was truly unforgettable. As the groom stood with his back to the spot where the bride was to appear, it seemed as though the very air held its breath in anticipation. And when Reid finally turned around and saw his beloved in her wedding dress, so stunning and radiant, he was momentarily left speechless.
After that, another touching moment followed when the bride’s father saw Sandy in her wedding dress for the first time. He couldn’t contain his emotions at that moment.
The ceremony unfolded in the open air, with a portion of the stone arch adorned with abundant flowers and greenery. What a stylish decision! The aisle was also embellished with exquisite floral arrangements.
Reid walked out alongside his mother, proceeding to where the ceremony was to take place. Following him, Sydney emerged, arm in arm with her father. Pleasant music filled the air, and Reid couldn’t take his eyes off his beloved as she walked toward him down the aisle.
When the lovers exchanged vows of eternal love, their mothers joined them, presenting each with a single white rose. It was a profoundly beautiful and touching moment.
After the ceremony, Reid and Sydney gathered with their loved ones to capture memorable photos, resulting in emotionally charged and joyous snapshots!
This wedding was truly unique, offering their guests an unforgettable experience. The cocktail hour featured “beer burros,” mini donkeys with customized saddles carrying beer for the guests, adding a fun and unexpected touch to the celebration.
The bride’s initial plan for the wedding featured a classic design with gold, white, and abundant greenery, following the trends of the time. However, midway through the planning process, she decided to infuse more color into the design. To achieve this, the couple incorporated vintage blue and white pieces from their parents and family friends (something blue & borrowed), adding a unique touch to their wedding’s visual appeal. The floral design maintained the timeless white and greenery, creating a perfect balance.
The Lotus Events team skillfully brought every dream of the couple to life. They not only crafted a wedding from plans but went above and beyond to ensure both the venue and the entire day were nothing short of perfect. From the enchanting decor to every essential detail, Lotus Events proved themselves true professionals, approaching their work with passion, a creative mindset, and an artistic eye.
The couple, alongside Tara from Lotus Events, paid attention to small details, from using the same font and colors for various wedding elements like the wedding monogram, welcome boxes, place cards, table numbers, and signs, to embossed cocktail napkins and personalized napkins in the bathrooms, ensuring cohesive and well-thought-out wedding design. Another special touch was the blue and white popcorn in the welcome boxes, a nod to Sydney’s hometown of Nacogdoches, Texas. The popcorn, featuring a mix of white cheddar and blueberry flavors, paid homage to the town’s annual Blueberry Festival, a cherished local tradition.
Reid and Sydney’s entrance at the wedding reception was a magical moment. As they stepped in, the music began, and the newlyweds shared their first dance. All eyes were captivated by the enchanting sight of the couple immersed in the grace of their first wedding dance.
During the enchanting golden hour, the newlyweds stepped outside again to capture a few more portraits, and photographer Christina Elliott skillfully crafted stunning shots of the couple.
And then came the moment of the wedding cake-cutting ceremony. The cake, designed in a classic color palette and adorned with white roses and greenery, perfectly reflected the wedding’s aesthetic. It was visually stunning and incredibly delicious, a delight not only for the couple but also for their guests.
One of the most delightful and traditional moments at a wedding is the exchange of wedding speeches. Congratulations and heartfelt words from close friends and family leave warm memories in the newlyweds’ hearts.
And the dances with parents are the most touching moments of all. Sydney danced with her father and Reid with his mother, creating memories that would be cherished forever.
One of the most heartwarming moments of the evening was the tribute to Reid’s late grandfather, Eldon. Sydney never got to meet him, but she heard he was the life of the party and was told we would get along excellent. To honor his memory, the band played “Celebration,” a song he was known for playing during conga lines at parties. The dance was a heartwarming way to include him in the celebration and kick-start the dancing festivities.
The reception was a vibrant and lively affair, with the band, Uptown Drive, taking center stage. Their performance was not limited to music; they choreographed dances and engaged with the guests, creating an electric atmosphere.
One of the amusing highlights of the wedding was when the bride tossed her bouquet to the unmarried bridesmaids, and the groom threw the garter to his friends. When Sydney threw the bouquet, excitement filled the room, and a joyous moment unfolded as one lucky lady caught it! When Reid tossed the garter, it elevated the overall merriment to another level!
The highlight was the band performance of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” with the lead singer donning a red leather jacket and delivering a show-stopping rendition of the iconic dance.
Throughout Sydney and Reid’s wedding evening, joy reigned supreme—filled with music, dancing, and an endless sense of happiness.
As the evening ended, Reid and Sydney walked through a tunnel formed by their guests, each holding sparklers. It was a beautiful conclusion to a stunning wedding.
Advice from the couple:
• People always say don’t worry. There will always be something that does not go as planned on your wedding day. And the exact opposite happened to us! Seriously, it was the best day of both our lives. I cannot tell you one thing that went wrong that day, and I think a lot of that was because of the heavy planning on the front end. I would say, if anything, OVER PLAN. That way, you can enjoy the day without worrying about anything. Another thing is that we did not stress ourselves out on the day off because we had the help of our fantastic wedding planner. If you can fit a planner into the budget, they are worth it and give you peace of mind.
• Practice your first kiss as kissing in front of everyone is pretty nerve-wracking.
• Enjoy time with your husband and occasionally take mental pictures because that is one thing everyone is right about. The day goes by fast!
PLANNER & COORDINATION Lotus Events | VENUE Camp Lucy Ian’s Chapel | PHOTOGRAPHER Christina Elliott | VIDEOGRAPHY Reverent Weddings | CATERING Camp Lucy | RENTALS Whim Hospitality | FLORAL Wild Bunches Floral | MONOGRAM Danielle X Design Co. | BRIDAL GOWN Brick House Bridal | BRIDAL SHOES Badgley Mischka | CAKE Hayley Cakes | MUAH Think Brink Beauty | STRINGS Terra Vista Strings | RECEPTION BAND Uptown Drive | DONKEYS Ears with Beers | TRANSPORTATION Drippery Tours