1. Real Weddings

A Rustic, Western Wedding at Firerock Country Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona

Jennifer Gillespie (27, senior personal banker) and Taylor Gillespie (29, horse trainer) met through the husband of the bride's best friend when he re

Jennifer Gillespie (27, senior personal banker) and Taylor Gillespie (29, horse trainer) met through the husband of the bride's best friend when he returned from deployment. The pair got to know each other better at a barbecue during the next month but didn't end up going on their first date until a couple months later. From there, the couple's relationship has been nothing short of an adventure: three states, three houses and one travel trailer later, the couple journeyed across the country and grew in love. Jennifer and Taylor were married at the FireRock Country Club in Fountain Hills, Arizona, since they had moved to Arizona only four months prior to their engagement and wanted a destination wedding. "It had a beautiful lawn area for the outdoor ceremony with a gorgeous view, and the inside was just stunning," says Jennifer. The color palette was Taylor's idea; he suggested pale coral with sage green with accents of different browns to tie in the rustic theme. The couple lives a country western lifestyle but the bride is from the east coast, so they wanted to throw in a twist of New York sophistication. The bride wore a traditional white strapless gown with an embellished beaded bodice and white sash, complete with a fingertip length tulle veil with lace lining. The groom dressed like a cowboy, complete with jeans, a cowboy hat and boots, for a sophisticated version of what daily life is like. Their rustic, western wedding was the perfect amount of casual and classy to reflect the couple's personal styles and life together.

"We wanted our fashion to represent us," says Jennifer. "I was originally against the groom and groomsmen wearing blue jeans, but we realized it was a statement to who we were and what our daily lives are like," says Jennifer.
Ivory Embellished Peep Toe Bridal Heels
White Strapless Gown with Embellished Beaded Bodice
All the groomsmen and the groom wore Kimes Ranch Jeans with corduroy brown jackets, cowboy boots and cowboy hats. "It was the perfect polished and sophisticated way for the groom to express himself and our daily lives," says the bride.
"I had an idea of my bouquet, but I didn't have a preference of flowers," says Jennifer. She carried a pale coral bouquet with pops of light green, and her bridesmaids had smaller, white and green bouquets.
The bridesmaids wore strapless coral dresses with ivory and green bouquets to match the color scheme. The flower girl wore a white ruffled dress with cowboy boots.
The Firerock Country Club had a beautiful lawn area for the outdoor ceremony with a breathtaking view. "We barely had to decorate the venue," says Jennifer.
A friend of the couple's made shephard hooks out of old horse shoes with hung flower-filled mason jars that lined the aisle.
Instead of passing out programs, Jennifer bought two large rustic wood frames and painted the glass with chalkboard paint to let guests know the order of events.
"The inside of the venue was alsready so beautifully decorated that we didn't want to over-do it with centerpieces," says Jennifer. They brought in horseshoes to lay on slabs of wood with candles and a table number.
Western Lawn Ceremony in Fountain Hills, Arizona
First Kiss at FireRock Country Club, Arizona
"We truly believe that people tend to remember the music and dancing aspects of a wedding the most. It's what keeps the party going," says Jennifer. They spent the whole night dancing to the tunes of their fantastic DJ.
Wedding Cake with Horseshoes and Western Horse Toppers