1. Real Weddings

An Intimate Whimsical Wedding at the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas

Andrea Glazer (29 and a store director) and Joseph (Joe) Swinbank (29 and a programmer) grew up in the same town but found each other their final year

Andrea Glazer (29 and a store director) and Joseph (Joe) Swinbank (29 and a programmer) grew up in the same town but found each other their final year of high school and have been high school sweethearts ever since. After eleven years of dating, Joe proposed one lazy Sunday afternoon in the living room of the couple’s Dallas apartment. The couple got married in the Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas. “There is a relaxing presence that comes with the scenes of West Texas,” says the bride. When the couple started planning, the bride knew she wanted flowers in her hair and a simple romantic dress. The color palette was inspired by the flowers in season and a celebration of the colors of fall. Gold and amber accents warmed up the single dining table that accommodated the couple’s intimate reception of 34 guests. The champagne flowed all night and the guests danced the night away, watching falling stars while singing in the streets and cozying up for conversations by the fire.A sacred part of the intimate wedding weekend was the entire day before the ceremony. Andrea says:“The element of our wedding that best reflected us was the entire day leading up to the wedding. We rented out Captain Shepard House owned by the Gage Hotel, which served as ground zero for our family and friends to visit and relax. Our guests enjoyed long walks with each other and I got to spend a few quiet moments sipping champagne on the large sleepy balcony overlooking the town with my girls prior to the evening festivities. We never felt rushed or stressed!”

"Getting married out in Marathon was a dream. It felt so good to be in the peaceful atmosphere of west Texas," says the bride.
Bride and Groom on Railroad Tracks in Marathon, Texas
"All I knew was I wanted flowers in my hair and a simple romantic dress," says Andrea. She wore a simple tiered white dress by Amy Kuschel.
"I wanted our day to feel magical and romantic. To me, nothing does that more than flowers, flowers and more flowers!" says Andrea. She carried a hearty, lush asymmetrical bouquet of bright pink peonies and warm-colored flowers.
Whimsical Western Decor at Gage Hotel
Ceremony Vows at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas
First Kiss at Gage Hotel in Marathon, Texas
"We wanted flowers that were in season and celebrated the colors of fall," says the bride. The couple used gold and amber accents to warm up the table setting.
One of the single tier cakes the couple brought from Austin, Texas featured a whimsical cake topper with fresh flowers.
For dessert, the couple brought in multiple small cakes from a bakery in Austin. Decor surrounding the cakes was earthy and fall-inspired.
Andrea shares advice for future couples for the wedding day: "It is important to plan your wedding how you want it. We didn't have a first dance because we were having so much fun we didn't want to stop for it! Be true to you."