A Woodland-Inspired Wedding at the Clubs at Houston Oaks in Hockley, Texas

Jessica Pettey (28 and a photographer) and Nick Hoffman (32 and a process technology operator) met when they were teenagers: Jessica was having dinner with a friend when Nick, their server, thought she was cute and brought her a piece of cheesecake (she had mentioned it was her favorite dessert). Not long afterward, Jessica got a job at the same restaurant, and over the next six months, the two became best friends. “We were inseparable,” she says. “We had truly found our soulmate in each other—the most magical feeling in the world.” They were together for 12 years before getting engaged. With the help of Ashley Joseph of TwoBeWed (the “Taylor Swift of wedding planning,” Jessica says), the couple planned their dream wedding in 11 months. Getting married among oak trees, with the beauty of nature surrounding them, was key to making their wedding vision a reality. They found the perfect venue at the “breathtakingly beautiful” Clubs at Houston Oaks in Hockley, Texas. The outdoors theme was enhanced through a palette of blush, gold, copper, merlot, burgundy and shades of green and brown. (Bridesmaids wore burgundy gowns with fur boleros and flower crowns.) From the meaningful words of love lining the aisle to the outdoor reception under the romantic glow of string lights, with a slow-motion video booth, a s’mores bar and confetti canon, the celebration was truly a reflection of Jessica and Nick—“traditional yet personable,” she says. After putting so much thought into every detail, Jessica advises future couples to be present on your wedding day to enjoy the result of those hours of planning and dreaming and anticipating. Also, don't lose sight of the bigger picture if there's a little planning hiccup, she says: “Always remember the day is about you marrying the love of your life and coming together as one, and that’s truly all that matters.” —Chrissy Sorenson