1. Real Weddings

A Boho Garden Glitz Wedding at Stone Oak Ranch in Murchison, Texas

This wedding will give you butterflies—literally! At their wedding ceremony, Aja Smith (31 and a marketing manager) and Colin Friday (30 and a mortgag

This wedding will give you butterflies—literally! At their wedding ceremony, Aja Smith (31 and a marketing manager) and Colin Friday (30 and a mortgage banker) had a live butterfly release to symbolize the joy they felt to start their new lives together. “There are old sayings that if you whisper wishes or blessings to butterflies, they will carry your messages to the heavens. There were lots of special wishes on our wedding day,” says Aja. The couple chose to get married at Stone Oak Ranch in Murchison, Texas, after discovering its sweet outdoor chapel, rustic barn (Aja knew she could glam it up for the reception) and the selling point: its location in East Texas, near where the bride and groom grew up. The couple decorated the space to create an enchanted garden atmosphere, or what they like to call “bohemian glitz with a Southern twist,” with a color palette of blush and gold, full of lush, whimsical florals by La Tee Da. “My style is a little bit boho, but I love anything gold and sparkly,” says Aja. Another special detail? The DJ who played at the reception, Sound Rascals, was one of the bride’s late father’s best friends. He even played some of her father’s original songs, including the bride’s namesake, “Aja,” by Steely Dan. “It was really sweet and meaningful,” says Aja. The night ended on another sentimental note, with the last song: “I Got Friends In Low Places” by Garth Brooks. “All of our friends huddled around us in a circle and sang and swayed as we walked around toasting and high-fiving everyone,” Aja says. “It was priceless.” See the sweetness captured by Erica Mae Photography, below.

Aja carried a whimsical, garden-inspired bouquet full of pink, blush and ivory blossoms with pops of light greenery. The arrangement incorporated lush peonies, scabiosa, astilbes and white anemones. The florist, La Tee Da, also created a flower crown with baby’s breath and soft blush blossoms to add to Aja’s boho style.
Colin designed Aja’s princess-cut engagement ring with a cushion halo. Her wedding ring incorporates round- and princess-cut pave diamonds all around. Colin’s wedding ring is a simple gold band.
Boho bride Aja wore a Jenny Yoo wedding dress from BHLDN with sheer, delicate cap sleeves and fabric-covered buttons up the back with scalloped ivory lace. Hints of gold thread were embroidered throughout the gown, and Aja added a crystal lattice sash for extra sparkle.
The bridesmaids wore dresses in blush hues in styles of their choosing. They each carried a whimsical, loose bouquet of blush roses and baby’s breath with seeded eucalyptus to accent the enchanted garden theme.
Wooden Wedding Sign at Stone Oak Ranch
Aja found her perfect venue, Stone Oak Ranch in Murchison, Texas, while perusing the Internet. “I stumbled upon a Southern ranch with a glammed-out barn, beautiful lush gardens and a sweet little outdoor wooden chapel. Turns out, it was only an hour away in East Texas, which is the area Colin and I are both from.”
East Texas Rustic Barn Reception Venue
Tall gold candelabras topped with loose, whimsical floral arrangements added garden glam to the barn reception. Other centerpieces included low floral arrangements in distressed wooden boxes and floating candles in tall candelabras, all surrounded by gold mercury glass and candles.
Rustic Flower-Box Centerpiece With Roses and Stock
“The stationery looked like it was designed for our wedding,” the bride says. Floral canopy gold foil-pressed stationery from Minted.com seamlessly fit into the boho garden glitz atmosphere, complete with sparkly gold accents.
Sheer Gold Sparkle Sweetheart Tablecloth
Gold Candelabra Centerpiece With Blush and Ivory Flowers
The couple had a dessert bar complete with miniature pecan trifles, bite-size coconut-cream and chocolate pies and cupcakes. The desserts included the couple’s favorite recipes and treats and added another personal, DIY touch to their reception.
Garden Stationery Dessert Labels
“I had a lot of DIY help from my crafty bridesmaids,” Aja says. Decor including a memory board, a gold glitter Friday “F” sign and custom tassels brightened the rustic barn along with the romantic color palette.
Boho Flower Crown With Baby's Breath and Roses