Czech-Inspired Wedding in Praha, Texas

With a save-the-date that simply read, “You don’t wanna miss this!” Lydia Matula (25 and a brand manager) and Lance Walker (26 and a project manager) knew they had to deliver on their promise. And they did so in an unlikely space: the parish hall of a 19th- century Catholic church. With the addition of black décor—Lydia admits she’s obsessed with it—a traditional Czech grand march and a first dance that ended with a cannon blast of gold confetti, the hall got a modern makeover for the ages.
Lydia and Lance married at St. Mary’s Church, where Lydia’s great-great-grandparents and great-grandparents wed. Black drapes framed an existing wood wall, which the couple dressed up with a custom copper sign and a metal grid holding roses, ranunculus, protea and pampas grass.  A funky horse trailer parked outside poured Shiners and jalapeño margaritas.
Chiffon sheers softened the space, where African mudcloth, taper candles and smilax ran down long tables. The caterer, a local family that knows how to cook for a crowd, whipped up smoked pork tenderloin with raspberry chipotle sauce and roasted veggies. Guests tossed fake snow at the newlyweds as they left the reception. Lydia and Lance then cruised off in a 1979 Ford Bronco.