1. Real Weddings

A Romantic Wedding at Branded T Ranch in Kendalia, Texas

Brieann Heaton (22 and a wedding coordinator) and JT Corbitt (22 and a respiratory therapist) met at a church camp in high school, became Facebook fri

Brieann Heaton (22 and a wedding coordinator) and JT Corbitt (22 and a respiratory therapist) met at a church camp in high school, became Facebook friends and reunited as freshmen at Texas State University. Brieann, who was dating her high school boyfriend, joined a sorority (and tried to set JT up with her sorority sisters); JT joined a fraternity, and the two became great friends. When Brieann and her boyfriend broke up, JT jumped at the opportunity to ask her out. The location of their first date was kept a surprise, so Brieann got dolled up in a long dress and wedges, only to find that their date was in Gruene, a historic town with bumpy roads and potholes that made romantic strolls slightly challenging. He proposed on a hike on Mount Bonnell—the same mountain he had once hiked with his mom, vowing to her that he would one day bring a very special and important woman up there to share in the beauty. He strategically placed Bibles along the route, opened to significant verses. At the end of the path, JT stood waiting for her. As the sun set over the view of Austin, Texas, he asked her to be his wife. The couple chose the Branded T Ranch in Kendalia, Texas, a barn venue with modern touches, for a rustic-chic yet elegant wedding (without getting too country). The palette included soft pinks, neutrals, gold and the occasional burst of fuchsia. “I wanted to stay soft and romantic but didn't want everything to seem too washed out, so I added pops of bright pink.” Favorite elements included a large DIY wood and floral wall as a backdrop behind the DJ, a dessert table, an Airstream photo booth and an outdoor cigar bar. During the reception, JT and his fraternity brothers serenaded Brieann to “My Girl” by the Temptations. As a full-time wedding planner, Brieann knows a thing or two about planning the perfect wedding. Take some time to enjoy your engagement, have a backup plan for outdoor venues (Mother Nature can be unpredictable), don’t stress about what could go wrong, and learn to let go if something does go wrong. “Even with all the planning and all the experience I've had planning other weddings, there were still things that happened at my wedding that were completely out of my control,” Brieann says. “Everything still turned out beautiful, and it was the best day ever.” —Chrissy Sorenson

The 9,200-square-foot barn was originally built as a hay barn in 1870 in New York State. In 2013 it was dismantled and shipped to scenic Texas Hill Country, where it was restored and reassembled (using the same method it was to build it). Today it can accommodate 300 guests.
Brieann designed the save-the-dates and invitations in Photoshop, then printed them through an online service. She made the place cards, wooden signs and chalkboards.
Brieann's pink satin Charles by Charles David heels added not only height but a soft, feminine touch to her wedding day ensemble.
“I knew from the beginning that I wanted a lace wedding dress,” Brieann says. “The rest was kind of up in the air.” She tried on a number of styles before falling for a high neckline and open back, fitted enough to flatter her figure yet full enough at the bottom to make her feel like a princess.
The bridesmaids wore long pink petal dresses in styles they felt most comfortable wearing.
Brieann, who works as a wedding coordinator, was very particular about her flowers. “I have worked with Petal Pushers many times as a coordinator, so I knew exactly whom to turn to when my time came around,” she says. “I wanted big fluffy flowers everywhere!” She carried a bouquet of peonies, garden roses, dahlias, hydrangeas, Mayra roses and eucalyptus garlands, and greenery touches were placed throughout Branded T Ranch in Kendalia, Texas.
The groomsmen wore gray Jos. A. Bank suits with petal-pink paisley ties, matching the pink bridesmaid dresses. The junior bridesmaids wore light blue tea-length dresses.
Fan favors were displayed in a wooden crate, decorated with a simple "take one" chalkboard message sign.
Two wine barrels marked the entrance, petals lined the aisle and handwritten signs featured words from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Handwritten chalkboard signs featured words from 1 Corinthians 13:4-8: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
Brieann's mother found an old veil and dress at a thrift shop with lace details that matched the bride's dress. A family friend took the vintage hat off the veil and replaced it with the comb from Brieann's mom's wedding veil. “It meant a lot to me to have this part of my parents’ wedding be a part of mine,” she says.
The grounds at the Branded T Ranch in Kendalia, Texas, include a fire pit, a large pond and a spacious lawn that's perfect for mingling with guests.
Pink and white linens and pink and white floral arrangements added a chic touch to a rustic room.
Brieann’s second favorite floral piece (next to her bouquet) was a huge pallet-wood wall decorated with greenery and flowers and an illuminated “love” sign serving as the backdrop behind the DJ. The wall was “perfect for the background of our dance pictures and video.”
"JT's Cigar Bar" was set up on an area of the lawn, with cigars displayed on an old hutch as well as a vintage chest.
The three-tier cake featured a "Love You More" cake topper.
An abundant dessert table overflowed with Brieann and JT's favorite sweet treats.
Brieann changed into a different dress for the end-of-the-evening sparkler send-off.