This Couple's Wedding at Knotting Hill Place in Little Elm, Texas, Had a Glam Black-and-White Palette

Pharra and Roderick, both big Disney fans, celebrated their real-life fairy tale with a glam black-and-white wedding at Knotting Hill Place in Little Elm, Texas. In a movie-worthy storyline, the couple first met during their teen years, but went separate ways. However, fate brought them back together and Roderick kept the fairy tale going when he proposed at the Rockefeller Christmas tree in New York City since Pharra loves the wintry holiday. With such an epic love story, it was key to Pharra and Roderick that their glam wedding be worthy of the story that brought them to where they are today. Despite setbacks from the pandemic, the couple was able to do just that and successfully celebrated their marriage with a stunning, chic wedding at a castle-like venue in Texas. 

"When I was 16 years old, I had my first job working for Hollister in Hulen Mall in Fort Worth, Texas," recalls Pharra. "One day, while I was working, Rod walked in the store to shop around. I noticed him and thought he was cute, but I was too afraid to say anything to him. As he was walking out of the store, he stopped and asked for my number. I thought he was cute, so I gave it to him. A few weeks later, Rod came over to my mom's house to hang out with me. That day, Rod was able to meet my mom and grandfather, which is really nice because they have both since passed away. I saw Rod one more time after that when he came to my high school senior photoshoot to give me candy and a note telling me how beautiful I was (I still have that note). Not long after that, Rod joined the Air Force and was stationed in Alaska. I didn't see him for years, but we kept in touch and remained friends. Years later, Rod, who was living in Colorado at the time, came back to Texas to visit his mother for her birthday. While in Texas, he decided to go to Hulen Mall (the same mall we'd met for the first time all those years ago). Meanwhile, on the same day, I decided to go to Hulen Mall to buy some things. As Rod was coming out of the mall, I was walking in. We saw each other for the first time in over 10 years. Rod asked me on a date that night...and the rest is history," says Pharra of the years-long love story that culminated with the couple's winter wedding in Texas. 

"I love Christmas and Disney, so my husband and I had a winter-themed wedding with Disney accents. Our colors were black, white, gold and blush. It was a beautiful blend of 'happily ever after' and all things winter," says Pharra of the inspiration behind her glam winter wedding to Roderick at Knotting Hill Place in Little Elm, Texas. "I had an amazing florist and wedding coordinator that decorated my space for the ceremony and reception. They listened to all my wants and needs, and they helped realize my dream of creating a winter wonderland combined with the magic of Disney. In the cathedral room, the venue had large, arched windows that looked out on a garden with a waterfall right behind where we stood to say our vows; we utilized this space by placing a beautiful arch filled with white winter flowers to accentuate the arched windows. The aisle was lined with baby's breath, and we used acrylic chairs for the guests to sit. During the reception, we continued the winter theme by using blue uprights, candles, pink and white centerpieces, and baby's breath on each table. To seat the bridal party, we used black gloss tables and blush Margot chairs. The tables for the wedding guests were laid with black linen tablecloths and acrylic chairs. All place settings included gold beaded glass chargers, glass plates, white linen napkins, pink and gold flatware and menus that resembled our wedding invitations. Lastly, but certainly not least, we had a white dance floor with our monogram in gold in the reception area for guests to have a great time and dance the night away. The decor was absolutely breathtaking; I couldn't have asked for more."

In addition to filling the wedding day with their sleek black-and-white color palette, it was also important to the couple that the celebration be personalized to reflect their love of Disney, Christmas and winter. "Our wedding day was all about personalization and details," notes Pharra. "I love Christmas and Disney, so Rod and I had a winter-themed wedding with Disney accents. To highlight my love of Disney, my bouquet had a little pearl Mickey Mouse on the stem; our welcome sign said 'Be Our Guests;' Rod wore a grape soda top pin, from the movie 'Up,' on his boutonniere; and our ring box was a miniature 'Our Adventure Book' from the movie 'Up.' Rod loves to fish, so we had a realistic rainbow trout groom's cake made for him. My mother passed away in 2012, so to honor her, I had a charm with her photo on it attached to my bouquet so she could be there with me as I walked down the aisle. Additionally, my mom loved the first 'Sex and the City' movie, so I wore the shoes Carrie Bradshaw wore at her wedding because I knew my mom would have loved that. To celebrate our love of winter and all things Christmas, we had a hot cocoa bar and winter blankets for guests; we had winter florals; and my bridesmaids and I wore fur shawls during the reception. We tried to make sure we honored who we are as a couple and who we are as individuals in our details; I think it was a great way to start our marriage," says Pharra. 

Looking back on the wedding day, Pharra recalls that one of her favorite moments was having a few private minutes with Roderick right after the wedding ceremony. "After the ceremony, but before the reception, my husband and I sat alone together in the bridal suite and just took it all in...we were married and deeply in love. It was so nice to have that moment alone to bask in the moment and take it all in. Your wedding day goes by so fast, it's important to just take a moment with your spouse and say, "'we did it!' and 'I love you.'" In that vein, Pharra encourages current to-be-weds to make sure to prioritize their partner and their relationship during wedding planning. "Make decisions based on what makes you and your spouse happy. Your big day is supposed to be a celebration of your love, and it is important to honor that making sure your day is a reflection of your relationship and your unique individual personalities. During your planning, everyone will have an opinion, but remember, it is your day and the final decision is up to you and your fiancé."