1. Real Weddings

A Romantic Ranch Wedding at Spirit Ranch in Lubbock, Texas

Michelle Pinson (27 and a professor) and Derik Pearson (24 and a farmer) brought their Spirit Ranch farm wedding to life in Lubbock, Texas, thanks to

Michelle Pinson (27 and a professor) and Derik Pearson (24 and a farmer) brought their Spirit Ranch farm wedding to life in Lubbock, Texas, thanks to an organic color scheme paired with brass accents. “I knew I wanted to have an outdoor wedding, and I loved all the old trees and the creek running through the site—a rarity in west Texas,” Michelle says of the scenic ranch venue. “It was the kind of setting I had always dreamed about.” Tucked in a patch of trees overlooking a creek, Michelle and Derik exchanged vows under a whitewashed wood arch adorned with white blooms and verdant garlands of greenery. “I loved the shaded area and how the sun would peek through the trees,” Michelle says. “It was a very romantic site.” Michelle kept the ceremony decor simple, letting the natural beauty of the ranch shine. Vintage brass candlesticks, crocheted tablecloths, bistro lights and an ornate chandler lent a sense of sophistication to the alfresco nuptials. “I wanted the feel of our wedding to be a touch vintage and a touch rustic,” Michelle says. “I wanted the items we used to look like they were family heirlooms or found along the way. —Marissa Hermanson

“I have always loved to paint watercolors, so I decided to do something custom for our stationery,” Michelle says. “I wanted the look to match the feel and theme of the wedding, so I opted to paint greenery. This is a true labor of love, and I am so happy I was able to add a special touch for all our guests.”
Michelle’s eight bridesmaids donned long flowing Jenny Yoo Annabelle dresses in a variety of styles and shades of blue. “I look back on the pictures and love the variety of colors and shapes of the dresses,” Michelle says.
Natural Green Eucalyptus Leaf Bouquet
Charming touches—from wooden signs to brass vases—added a vintage feel to Michelle and Derik's ceremony and reception at Spirit Ranch in Lubbock, Texas.
Derik and his groomsmen sported Vera Wang charcoal gray tuxedos. The groomsmen wore skinny ties, while Derik wore a bow tie. “Derik’s one request was that he wear a bow tie, and he looked so handsome,” Michelle says.
Derik's one request for the wedding was not having a first look, since he wanted to see Michelle for the first time as she was walking down the aisle toward him. "Because of this, I wrote Derik a note that was given to him right before the ceremony, letting him know how happy I was to be going on this journey with him," Michelle says.
Michelle and Derik exchanged vows under a wooden arch adorned in flowers in a patch of trees overlooking a creek. “I loved this shaded area and how the sun would come through the trees,” Michelle says. “It was a very romantic site.” Michelle kept the ceremony decor simple, letting the natural beauty of the woods shine at Spirit Ranch in Lubbock, Texas.
During their ceremony, Michelle and Derik incorporated a unity-candle ritual. A rustic table held three candlesticks: one for Michelle’s grandmother, one for Derik’s grandmother and one for Michelle and Derik. “I really loved the symbolism and that all the candlesticks came from our families,” Michelle says. “It was such a special moment to symbolize the unity of two families merging.”
“For several months leading up to the wedding, my mother-in-law and I scoured local thrift shops and antiques malls, gathering up as much brass as we could,” Michelle says. “We found everything from cake plates to candlesticks and had more brass than we knew what to do with.” At the reception, tables were dressed in light dove gray and cream linens and were topped with vintage brass vases filled with lush floral arrangements.
Spirit Ranch's outdoors were illuminated with romantic bistro lighting, and a beautiful chandelier hung from tree branches. “I wanted the feel of my wedding to be a touch vintage and a touch rustic,” Michelle says. “I wanted the design to feel like the items that were used could be family heirlooms or found along the way."
A four-tier cake frosted in buttercream icing was garnished in cascading flowers and was perched on a vintage brass cake stand that belonged to Derik’s grandmother. The cake table was dressed in a crocheted vintage tablecloth from Michelle’s grandmother.
A red velvet cake frosted with chocolate icing was a special request by Derik, and it was appropriately decorated with a "P" for Pearson.
Guests were given matchboxes personalized with Michelle's and Derik's initials and the phrase, "A Perfect Match."
A friend of Michelle’s was dating Derik’s cousin and invited her out for dinner, forgetting to mention that she was being set up with Derik. “As the old saying goes, the rest is history,” Michelle says.