Rustic Elegance at a Destination Wedding in Wyoming

Alison and Ware

Alison and Ware met on a blind date in Dallas, Texas. He was interested right away; she wasn't in a "date mood". But thankfully they made plans for another date, and for her it was love at second sight. They were pretty much inseparable from that moment on, and engaged within eight months. On September 2, 2012, about a half a year after he popped the question, they made things official during their destination wedding that infused rustic elegance, natural beauty, and traditional charm.

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The Location

For their outdoor wedding, the couple chose the ranch of the bride's godfather, just north of Jackson, and not far from Yellowstone National Park. "We knew our guests would love Wyoming and it was wonderful to share it with them," Alison said.

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The Welcome Bag

The guests received totes with the couple's logo when they checked in to their hotels. Each bag included granola bars, Hubs Virginia peanuts, Swedish fish (a favorite of Alison's), custom reusable water bottles for staying hydrated in the higher altitude, and itineraries and shuttle information. The couple worked with Cara Rank at xowyo Paper and Press to put the goodies together.

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The Wedding Portraits

Carrie Patterson snapped photos of the couple pre-ceremony, and after they tied the knot, with their bridal party and family members.

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The Fashions

Alison donned a lace Liancarlo gown and carried a bouquet of hydrangea, garden roses, tuberose, and dusty miller, created by Lily and Co.

Ware sported a Jos. A. Bank suit, Brooks Brothers tie, and a cluster of pastel blooms on his lapel.

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All in the Family

The family veil, dating back to the 1800s, had been worn by Alison's mother and great great grandmother.

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The Bridesmaids

The bridesmaids wore various styles of blue J.Crew dresses.

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The Girls

The flower girls looked adorable in custom frocks by Kathy's Loving Stitches, embroidered with bluebonnets to represent the bride's home state of Texas and dogwoods to represent the groom's Virginia roots.

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Made with Love

Alison's mother designed and needle pointed a pair of ring pillows for Ware's nephews to carry down the aisle. They sported the couple's monogram, names, and wedding date.

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A Beloved Guest

The bride and groom's yellow Labrador, Birdie, accompanied Ware to the altar and sat with the boys during the ceremony.

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The Ceremony Setting

A floral arch anchored the ceremony area and framed the Tetons perfectly.

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The Ceremony

The al fresco nuptials were witnessed by 185 loved ones. The traditional service included a reading of 1 Corinthians 13 and an excerpt from a love letter by Victor Hugo.

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The Cocktail Hour

Lounge areas on the lawn included hay bales covered in linen with blue-and-white pillows.

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The Fare

During cocktail hour, guests nibbled on elk sausage with caramelized onion and whole grain mustard, crostini with minted pea purée and shaved manchego, braised and grilled pork belly buns, and prosciutto-wrapped figs. Though it wasn't the most typical setting for it, there was a raw bar amidst the mountain views, complete with fresh-shucked oysters -- a favorite of the groom.

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Custom Cocktails

Blood orange margaritas served in Mason jars were a nod to their first date, which took place at a Texas-style eatery known for the cocktail. The couple's monogram appeared on coasters at cocktail hour.

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The Reception

An antler chandelier made a statement in the dinner tent above round tables covered in white linen and a blue patterned undercloth set with mixed blue-and-white plates.

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The Tables

Roses, hydrangeas, stock, dahlias, dusty miller arranged in birch wood vessels accented the center of each table. Tables were named after significant places, such as their hometowns, where they went to college, and locations they'd traveled to.

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The Menu

Dinner began with a Bibb and mâché salad with heirloom tomatoes and a lemon creme fraiche vinaigrette. The menu (which was designed and printed by the mother-of-the-bride) outlined the offerings at the buffet: roasted, herb-stuffed lamb, grilled wild king salmon over sautéed sweet corn, and several sides.

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The Favors

Fleece throw blankets rolled and tied with custom ribbon were given to guests as a keepsake. Some put them to good use immediately, as the temperatures dropped as the evening progressed.

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The First Dance

Adele's "One and Only" played as the newlyweds took to the dance floor.

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The Cake

Monica Seip of Jackson Cake Co. designed the tiered cake, which like the embroidery on the flower girls' dresses incorporated the state flowers of Alison's and Ware's home states. The confection featured lemon chiffon cake with raspberry and a tier of strawberry chiffon.

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For Him

As a tribute to Ware's marine adventures (he worked on boats for a few years and also circumnavigated South America), there was a groom's cake with edible boats, surfboards, and other nautical touches. One special detail was the engagement ring in a treasure chest -- a reference to the proposal that took place in the middle of the ocean while the duo was swimming in Barbados.

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