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  4. A Timeless Wedding in Fredericksburg, Texas, Complete with a Dusty-Blue-and-Peach Color Palette
Martha Stewart Weddings

A Timeless Wedding in Fredericksburg, Texas, Complete with a Dusty-Blue-and-Peach Color Palette

Nashia Baker, Associate Digital Editor at Martha Stewart
By Nashia Baker September 14, 2020
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bride and groom kiss on grassy hillside
Credit: Charla Storey

After the pandemic forced them to reschedule their 300-guest Dallas wedding, this couple hosted an intimate celebration at one of the bride's favorite family spots.

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bride and groom kiss on grassy hillside
Credit: Charla Storey

Alex first met his future bride, Rachael, during freshman orientation at Baylor University in June 2016—but he says their story truly began the next year. "Rachael had been praying for guy friends that semester while I was busy reconstructing my faith, not looking for any type of relationship outside of my community," Alex recalls of their sophomore year in 2017. They ran into each other that fall on campus and exchanged phone numbers, later meeting for lunch at Czech Stop—a central Texas staple, Alex says—and eventually studying together to get to know each other more. Their first official date in early 2018 was filled with "laughter, joy, and what would become the start of the next two years and forever," says Alex.

On November 9, 2019, Alex pulled out all the stops to ask Rachael for her hand in marriage—rallying friends and family to help piece together the surprise for a lakefront proposal. "Using the same letter paper that I used for all of the letters that I wrote her throughout our relationship, I began to read my promises to her and hopes for the future," he says. Highlighting a Bible passage that stated, "love never ends," he ended the proposal with another surprise—close loved ones waiting to share their congratulations and an intimate dinner.

The duo originally envisioned a wedding day with 300 guests in the Dallas, Texas, but the COVID-19 outbreak brought their plans to a halt in the spring of 2020. With the help of their wedding planner, Shannon Rose Events, they started thinking ahead for their May 25, 2020, nuptials to make sure their big day could still happen. "In late March, [she] called to update us on her perspective concerning the situation and asked us to start brainstorming back-up plans," Rachael says. "She was so incredibly encouraging and helpful during this decision-making period." Even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the bride and groom were able to celebrate their big day, albeit in smaller fashion, with 45 people—but it had just as much sentimental value as a large-scale event could. "Boot Ranch has been one of my family's favorite gatherings places over the past few years. There is something about the Hill Country that is so calming and beautiful. It also had significance for our relationship," Rachael adds. "Alex and I talked about getting married for the first time one night on a patio at the ranch—little did we know we would be married there two years later!"

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Streamlined Invites

white and blue themed invitation suite
Credit: Charla Storey

Blue envelopes defined the classic wedding invitations by Brown Fox Creative; the suite mirrored the couple's dark blue, dusty blue, blush, and peach color palette.

  • How to Concisely Convey All of Your Wedding Details on Your Invitations

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Pajama Time

bride smiling with bridesmaids wearing matching pajama sets
Credit: Charla Storey

"We both enjoyed a really relaxing day leading up to the ceremony, which was only possible because of the incredible staff at Boot Ranch and Shannon Rose Events," Rachael says. "Alex and I were able to call and pray with each other that morning, which was the perfect start to the day to the day. We then both enjoyed time resting and getting ready with our friends!"

  • The Pros and Cons of Getting Ready in the Wedding Suite

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Love Notes

bride and groom hand written wedding notes
Credit: Charla Storey

The duo wrote their own vows for the intimate ceremony, which spotlighted their shared faith and the hopes for their marriage.

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Pretty Twists

bride facing window with hands on frame
Credit: Charla Storey

One of Rachael's bridesmaids pieced her big-day hairstyle—a half-up, half-down twist—together.

  • Half-Up, Half-Down Wedding Hairstyles We Love

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Classic Bride

bride smiling looking back over her shoulder next to grassy hillside
Credit: Charla Storey

A matte Mikado wedding dress, complete with a ball gown silhouette, from Stella York was the simple, elegant ensemble Rachael always wanted. Her instincts were affirmed by her shopping partners, which included her bridesmaids and parents; she knew it was the one "when everyone started crying (happy tears)! It was such a special moment," she recalls.

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Blush Bouquet

bride smiling holding blush toned floral bouquet
Credit: Charla Storey

Flowers in blush-and-cream hues accented the bride's bouquet for her walk down the aisle.

  • How to Personalize Your Wedding Bouquet

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Pastel 'Maids

bride smiling with her bridesmaids wearing pink and blue dresses
Credit: Charla Storey

Rachael's bridesmaids wore Azazie gowns in pastel tones—another nod to the color palette—on the big day.

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Handsome Groom

groom smiling wearing blue suit with baby blue tie
Credit: Charla Storey

Alex wore a navy suit with a dusty blue tie from Generation Tux, and finished off his look with a Tissot watch—a gift from Rachael.

  • Should the Groom Wear a Suit or a Tuxedo on the Wedding Day?

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All Together

groom walking with groomsmen wearing matching blue suits
Credit: Charla Storey

Each groomsmen matched Alex in navy suits and dusty blue ties from Generation Tux.

  • What Should the Groomsmen Expect to Pay For?

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An Arch with a View

wedding ceremony space with wood chairs and pink floral arch
Credit: Charla Storey

"As guest's entered the venue's property, they walked down a stone stairwell that was lined with floral installations to the ceremony location that overlooked the Texas hill country," Shannon says. "We wanted to frame the couple so that they would stand out from view in the distance, so R Love Floral created a large archway that was filled with blush, peach, and white blooms."

  • How to Incorporate Your Favorite Flower Into Every Element of Your Wedding

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On Dad's Arm

bride walking with her dad down the stairs holding his arm
Credit: Charla Storey

Rachael walked arm in arm with her father as her family friends, Tyler and Bailey Dodds, played the guitar for the ceremony processional.

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Let's Tie the Knot

bride and groom exchanging vows during wedding ceremony outside
Credit: Charla Storey

Though the couple adjusted their 300-person wedding to just 45 guests, over 100 loved ones were able to tune in for the service via a YouTube livestream.

  • How to Plan a Beautiful, Meaningful Micro Wedding So That You Can Celebrate Your Postponed Nuptials Right Now

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Finally Married

bride and groom kiss at wedding ceremony
Credit: Charla Storey

Simply being able to celebrate their love with their nearest and dearest made the day so special. "We had all been quarantined in different parts of the state, so it had been weeks since we had been able to see our family and friends," Rachael says. "The whole weekend was filled with joy and celebration that was much needed and so good for the heart!"

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Love Notes

white escort cards with blue wax stamp
Credit: Charla Storey

To mirror the love notes Rachael and Alex wrote each other during the early days of their relationship, they decided to write each guest a handwritten card to let them know how much it meant their attendance meant to them.

  • How to Avoid Getting in Over Your Head with Wedding DIY Projects

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Time to Celebrate

intimate wedding reception inside with long tables
Credit: Charla Storey

Dinner unfolded inside a stone lodge on the ranch; the group dined on pan-seared salmon with basil pesto herb or brined chicken with citrus herb butter.

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Pretty Linens

white and blue paisley print table cloth covered reception table
Credit: Charla Storey

Statement paisley linens brought visual intrigue to each tabletop, while blush-centric arrangements provided contrast.

  • How Much Do Linen Rentals Typically Cost?

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Confetti Exit

bride and groom embrace under shower of confetti thrown by guests
Credit: Charla Storey

About 10 minutes before their confetti exit, Rachael changed into a form-fitting, mid-length ivory dress from Revolve as she and Alex left the reception. Ultimately, the couple was happy they planned a small event that pulled out all of the stops. "Go all out for your micro-wedding! Whether you have a larger celebration later or not, you only have one true wedding day and you'll remember it forever," says the bride.

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Sources

groom lifts bride embracing in a kiss
Credit: Charla Storey

Photography, Charla Storey
Venue and Catering, Boot Ranch
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Shannon Rose Events
Videography, Cinema Story Wedding Films
Flowers, R Love Floral
Stationery and Paper Products, Brown Fox Creative
Calligraphy, Ragan Hope Calligraphy (escort cards)
Bride's Gown, Stella York
Bride's Reception Gown, Revolve
Accessories, Elizabeth Layne (veil); Sam Edelman (shoes)
Bridesmaids' Dresses, Azazie
Menswear, Generation Tux
Groom's Acessories, Tissot
Engagement Ring, Bachendorfs
Wedding Band, Joseph Gann Jewelers
Guest Book, Zazzle
Music, Tyler and Bailey Dodds (ceremony); Mr. Austin DJ (reception)
Cake, Sweet Treats
Rentals, BBJ (linens); Nuage (linens); Premiere Events (chairs, chargers, china)
Favors, Fredericksburg Fudge

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 19
    2 of 19 Streamlined Invites
    3 of 19 Pajama Time
    4 of 19 Love Notes
    5 of 19 Pretty Twists
    6 of 19 Classic Bride
    7 of 19 Blush Bouquet
    8 of 19 Pastel 'Maids
    9 of 19 Handsome Groom
    10 of 19 All Together
    11 of 19 An Arch with a View
    12 of 19 On Dad's Arm
    13 of 19 Let's Tie the Knot
    14 of 19 Finally Married
    15 of 19 Love Notes
    16 of 19 Time to Celebrate
    17 of 19 Pretty Linens
    18 of 19 Confetti Exit
    19 of 19 Sources

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    A Timeless Wedding in Fredericksburg, Texas, Complete with a Dusty-Blue-and-Peach Color Palette
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