Tara and Kevin wanted a rustic and warm barn wedding with a major emphasis on the fun factor – and that’s exactly what they got! With deeply personal touches to the bride’s late mother, Tara and Kevin’s I Do’s were celebrated to the fullest. And her Stella York ballgown wedding dress was just the icing on the cake!
The Proposal
Kevin proposed in our apartment. That weekend we had planned a trip down to Waco to go to Magnolia Market. It was the place where I said I was the moment I knew I loved him for the first time. He was planning on proposing in the grass area in front of everyone but I got a stomach bug and canceled the trip. So, that night he still got down on one knee and said I know this wasn’t the plan but I can’t wait one more day to ask you to spend the rest of my life with me. I had no makeup on, was in pjs, yet the moment was still perfect.
Finding the Perfect Stella York Wedding Dress
It was important to me to look timeless. I didn’t want to look back at the photos one day and have my kids laugh at me. I originally one a more simple and sleek dress but when I saw the subtle sparkle mixed with the beautiful lace I fell in love. I had lost my mom to cancer the year before so dress shopping was hard. But the moment I put that dress on I knew my mom was smiling down on me saying that’s the one. I could just feel her with me.
The Wedding Details
I was so nervous standing behind those big doors with my dad but all my butterflies flew away when I saw Kevin’s face. He started bawling which gave me the giggles. It was the exact reaction I had wanted my whole life and I was overcome with joy that I got to marry my best friend.
We wanted our ceremony to be special and truly about family. My cousin officiated the ceremony which made it more personal. I was gaining a beautiful stepdaughter as well as a husband so the three of us did a sand ceremony to the tune of “You’ve Got a Friend” in me from Toy Story. Our venue was a ranch so I didn’t want to go too country with the decorations. I wanted a very soft romantic feel. We had over a hundred candles giving the room a soft glow. I wanted lots of greenery with small touches of blush and purple In the flowers. We had purple tulips which were my mom’s favorite so I would feel her with me.
I also wanted to create a fun vibe so we had a table of goofy pictures of Kevin and myself with a sign that said mutual weirdness forever. I really wanted everyone to enjoy themselves and let loose. I could tell I accomplished this when the bunny hop line formed haha. One of the guest favorites at our wedding was the s’mores bar. My dad spent hours hand making it for me and It turned out perfect!
The most special moment was right after we said “I Do.” We had a quiet minute in the barn and we just let it all sink in.
Photos by Heather Wooley