1. Real Weddings

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

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

A custom invitation suite in blush was assembled with hand-drawn flourishes, a custom crest, tea-dyed ribbon and envelopes lined with birch.
The two flower girls wore long bohemian-style ivory lace dresses and crowns of greenery in their hair.
Three different merlot gown styles reflected the body types of Jessica's nine bridesmaids.
The ivory A-line gown featured a fitted lace top with an illusion neckline, a flowing bottom, a sweeping train and a plunging back neckline with pearl buttons. It was lined with a stretch silk-charmeuse soft-bronze lining, the waistline was wrapped in double-faced satin ribbon, and the bottom fabric was made of Spanish soft netting and soft tulle in ivory.
To reflect the boho vibe, the ring bearer wore tweed gray fitted pants with suspenders and a white button-down shirt.
Nick and his nine groomsmen wore fitted gray suits with vests, fitted white button-down shirts and merlot ties with brown dress shoes.
Jessica's dad walked her down the aisle to an instrumental version of Damien Rice’s "Blower’s Daughter" performed by a string quartet.
The pretty outdoor ceremony setting was enhanced through an altar wrapped in blooms, greenery and antlers.
"My hair and makeup style was soft and simple with a touch of romance and a hint of glamour," Jessica says. A bold berry lip complemented her creamy complexion.
Jessica wore her hair swept up in a loose updo for the ceremony, accented with a floral crown and a simple veil. She wore her hair down in loose waves for the reception at the Clubs at Houston Oaks in Hockley, Texas.
The three-tier nearly naked cake consisted of a layer of banana nut cake, a layer of carrot cake and a layer of red velvet cake, all topped with cream cheese frosting. The cake was set on a wooden tree circle and decorated with blooms, small curly willow, and greenery. The groom's cake was a two-tier Rice Krispies cake with chocolate ganache dripping from the top; it was also set on a wooden tree circle and was decorated with “snap, crackle, pop” edible pieces.
Each place setting featured a custom individual laser-cut name, a gold charger, a wine-colored linen napkin and a menu inscribed with the message "Let's feast with thankful hearts."
The pillars in the outdoor pavilion were decorated in branches and greenery. String lights added a romantic glow.
The three tablescapes on the handmade farm tables included overflowing blooms and greenery, floral arrangements, votives, antlers, moss and magnolia leaf garlands.
Guests cozied up to the fire and roasted s'mores at the reception at the Clubs at Houston Oaks in Hockley, Texas.
"We chose 'Tenerife Sea' by Ed Sheeran because we felt an instant connection to the lyrics and the feel of the song," Jessica says of their first dance as a married couple.