1. Real Weddings

Elizabeth & Ryan: An Outdoor Wedding in Falfurrias, TX

Elizabeth Bowman never guessed that a bad hair day could turn out so well. Elizabeth was getting ready to head out to a rodeo barbecue cook-off when h

Elizabeth Bowman never guessed that a bad hair day could turn out so well. Elizabeth was getting ready to head out to a rodeo barbecue cook-off when her straightening iron gave out. Since they were already running late, Elizabeth’s boyfriend Ryan Clampitt, suggested Elizabeth simply wear her cowboy hat. She moodily acquiesced, and just as she was turning around to pick up her hat, she saw something sparkly and Ryan on one knee. The Bride Elizabeth Bowman, 27 The Groom Ryan Clampitt, 31 The Date April 23 With the help of Elizabeth's mother, the couple soon began planning a weekend party at the bride's family ranch in Falfurrias.

The Hair
Elizabeth walked down an aisle carpeted in rose petals to a deck overlooking the pond.
The Reception Site
Elizabeth's bridal cake was a four-tiered French vanilla cake adorned with pink gumpaste flowers. It was adorned with pink and red flowers.
The Favors
Afterward, the reception unfolded around the pool. Glass stars suspended from oak trees lit the dance floor, and farolitas (small Mexican lanterns) lined the roof of the ranch house.
It wasn’t just the bright fountain in the pool, Mexican straw table toppers, a Tex-Mex menu, and nonstop music that made this a free-for-all bash.
The First Dance
Elizabeth's grandmother had secretly coordinated an enormous fireworks display as a surprise for the couple.
All ten of Elizabeth's maids wore two-piece pink Alfred Angelo A-line dresses with green sashes.
The Bridesmaid Bouquets
The gate of the ranch -- a drawing of which appeared on the couple’s invites -- was adorned with flowers and bright ribbons.
Elizabeth and Ryan were married on her family's ranch. Built just for the ceremony, the deck was decorated with Mexican papel picados (intricately-cut tissue paper banners) hanging overhead.