1. Real Weddings

A Formal Wedding in Dallas, TX

Nicole and Blake met while they were sophomores at Baylor University but didn’t become friends until they accepted jobs at the same consulting firm af

Nicole and Blake met while they were sophomores at Baylor University but didn’t become friends until they accepted jobs at the same consulting firm after graduation. Two years later, their friendship turned into a romance, and a year after that, Blake was ready to propose. The Bride Nicole Rivers, 27, former financial reporting manager The Groom Blake Anderson, 28, project manager The Date July 12 He asked Nicole’s friend, Amy, to invite her to a cocktail party while he was “out of town on business.” After an afternoon of manicures and trying on different outfits, Amy drove Nicole to the “party” -- and then pulled over near a trail of rose petals. A shocked Nicole followed the petals and found Blake waiting at the other end. “I felt like I was part of a movie!” says Nicole.

Roses, peonies and orchids combined for a soft bouquet with classic style. Pearl-topped pins accented the ribbon that wrapped around the stems.
Arrangements of roses, stock and hydrangeas topped both round and rectangular tables. Candlelight bounced off the vases and crystals hanging from the taller centerpieces.
The bridesmaids carried hand-tied bouquets of roses and orchids. The varying hues added depth to the otherwise simple arrangements.
All seven bridesmaids wore the same satin Priscilla of Boston gown with a sweetheart neckline. They also wore matching necklaces and had their hair up for an elegant, uniform look.
Draped silk softened the ballroom and created a focal point on the dance floor, where gobo lights flashed the couple’s monogram. Lounge-style “beds” added a modern vibe to the formal décor.
Guests threw rose petals as the couple walked out of the reception -- at 1 a.m.! “I think if the band would’ve kept playing, we would’ve stayed even later!” says Nicole.
After Nicole’s father walked her down the aisle, the bride and groom exchanged traditional vows. “There’s something sacred about making the same promises that generations before us had made,” says Nicole.
Boxes filled with cupcakes, miniature cakes and Italian wedding cookies waited for guests by the door. Tags reading, “Have your cake and take it too!” were attached to each favor with shimmery red ribbon.
Guests hopped into the photo booth and took two sets of self-portraits -- one for them to take home and the other to put in the couple’s guest book.
The damask-style monogram decorated the center layer of the seven-tiered, buttercream-frosted cake. A coordinating backdrop and a bed of flowers added even more drama to the elaborate display.
The band played Frank Sinatra’s “The Best Is Yet to Come” for the couple’s first dance. Sinatra songs filled the first two hours of the reception, followed by big-band style music to encourage more dancing.