Skip to content

Top Navigation

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • FOOD
  • HOLIDAYS
  • ENTERTAINING
  • HOME
  • GARDENING
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING
  • WEDDINGS
  • SHOP
  • DIY
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS
  • LIFE
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Pin FB

Explore Martha Stewart

Martha Stewart Martha Stewart
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Tips on Organizing Your Home

      Tips on Organizing Your Home

      From the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom and laundry room, here are 40 ways to simplify, streamline, and banish clutter throughout the house. Read More
    • These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      These Are the Paint Colors You'll See Everywhere in 2022

      Upgrade your spaces with new—and old—classics. Read More
    • 39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      39 Make-Ahead Holiday Dishes That Are Perfect for Festive Family Gatherings

      These classic recipes will help you get a head start on the festivities. Read More
  • FOOD

    FOOD

    See All FOOD
    • Breakfast & Brunch Recipes
    • Lunch Recipes
    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizers & Snacks
    • Dessert Recipes
    • Drink Recipes
    • Salad Recipes
    • Side Dishes
    • Soup Recipes
    • Healthy Recipes
    • Quick & Easy Recipes
    • Vegetarian Recipes
    • Cooking How-Tos
    • Baking
    • Menu Planning
    • Food News & Trends
    • Wine
    • Mastering the Holiday Meal
    • What's for Dinner
    • All Recipes
  • HOLIDAYS

    HOLIDAYS

    See All HOLIDAYS
    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    All of Our Best Valentine's Day Crafts to Make from the Heart

    Express your love with handmade Valentine's crafts like paper cards, gift ideas, and decorations.
    • Valentine's Day
    • St. Patricks Day
    • Passover
    • Easter
    • Mother's Day
    • Father's Day
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving
    • Hanukkah
    • Christmas
    • New Year's Eve
  • ENTERTAINING

    ENTERTAINING

    See All ENTERTAINING
    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Will We Entertain Differently in 2022? These Are the New Trends Hostesses Should Bookmark

    Secure your role as the host with the absolute most.
    • Seasonal Entertaining & Decorating
    • Baby Shower Ideas
    • Dinner Party Ideas
    • You're Invited
  • HOME

    HOME

    See All HOME
    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    How to Hang and Arrange Pictures

    Amp up your home décor with perfectly placed frames.
    • Home Design & Decor
    • Paint Colors & Palettes
    • DIY Home Projects
    • The Well-Kept Home
  • GARDENING

    GARDENING

    See All GARDENING
    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Six Houseplant Mistakes to Avoid This Winter

    Don't let your varieties fall victim to the perils of poor cold-weather maintenance.
    • Container Gardening
    • Flower Gardens
    • Houseplants
    • Landscaping
    • Vegetable Gardens
  • CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    CLEANING & ORGANIZING

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    How to Deep Clean Your Oven with Baking Soda

    Our easy tips will make this cleaning task a lot less daunting.
    • Cleaning
    • Storage & Organization
    • Laundry & Linens
  • WEDDINGS

    WEDDINGS

    See All WEDDINGS
    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Your Ultimate Wedding-Planning Timeline

    Ready, set, go! Our no-nonsense guide will help you learn how to plan your wedding like a pro.
    • Real Weddings
    • Wedding Party
    • Wedding Planning & Advice
    • Wedding Ceremony & Reception
    • Wedding Jewelry
    • Dresses & Style
    • Wedding Beauty & Wellness
    • Wedding Registry
    • Wedding Showers & Parties
    • Love & Marriage
    • Wedding Travel
  • SHOP
  • DIY

    DIY

    See All DIY
    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    How to Knit: A Beginner's Step-by-Step Guide

    Learn how to knit your own mittens, hats, scarves, and more. We'll take you through the step-by-step instructions and teach you how to cast on, knit, purl, and cast off.
    • Dyeing
    • Holiday Crafts
    • Kids' Crafts
    • Knitting
    • Paper Crafts
    • Sewing
    • Rescue & Revamp
  • BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    BEAUTY & WELLNESS

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Your Complete Guide to Restoring Moisture Back Into Your Skin

    Take a multi-pronged approach if you're experiencing excess dryness.
    • Beauty
    • Health & Wellness
    • Live Well
  • LIFE

    LIFE

    See All LIFE
    • Family
    • Pets
    • Travel
    • Net Worth
  • NEWS
  • MARTHA'S BLOG
  • About Us

Profile Menu

Martha's Blog
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletter
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Your Content
  • Logout

More

  • Enter to Win $10,000 to Makeover Your Home!
  • Martha's Blog
  • Weddings
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. marthastewart.com
  2. Weddings
  3. Real Weddings
  4. Wedding Styles
  5. Seasonal Weddings
  6. Fall Weddings
  7. This Backyard Wedding in Texas Was Predicted—Decades Ago—by the Bride's Father
Martha Stewart Weddings

This Backyard Wedding in Texas Was Predicted—Decades Ago—by the Bride's Father

By Blythe Copeland June 14, 2021
Skip gallery slides
Pin
wedding couple portrait kissing in backyard
Credit: Charla Storey

A childhood tradition the bride once shared with her dad turned into something so much more on her intimate big day.

Start Slideshow

1 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
wedding couple portrait kissing in backyard
Credit: Charla Storey

Peyton Evans and Joe Lang only dated for two years before he proposed in Aspen, Colorado, in 2019, but their relationship goes back much further. "We met in our third grade class back in 2001," says Peyton. "We went to the same elementary school, middle school, and high school, we dated for a brief moment in eighth grade, [and] we were really close friends all through high school." They went to different colleges but returned to their hometown of Dallas after graduation, picking up where they left off as friends, until they officially began dating in August 2017.

Joe's proposal in Aspen was a perfect fit for Peyton, who had always envisioned getting married there; the couple began planning their wedding for fall 2020. "Everything shut down due to the pandemic in March 2020 and we thought that our plans would be unaffected, as COVID would definitely be a thing of the past in the fall—think again!" says Peyton. "Aspen was out of the question for our September wedding, but we knew that we still wanted our celebration to be there the following year. We also knew that we did not want to wait an entire year to get married—we had already waited 10 months and that was long enough! So we decided to have our intimate ceremony in our backyard and save the larger event for next year."

The couple kept their original date—September 26, 2020—and invited 20 friends and family members to an intimate service and dinner, followed by a gathering that included other loved ones (but stayed within the parameters of social distancing guidelines). Peyton's vision for the backyard nuptials included many choices made while thinking of her mother, who passed away when she was 13 years old. "I had her in my mind for every decision I made in regards to the planning and décor," says Peyton, including a color palette based on her mother's favorite shade, orange; playing her mother's favorite song while Peyton's father walked her down the aisle; and wrapping a piece of her mother's wedding dress around her bouquet.

And though Peyton and Joe look forward to hosting their original guest list at their rescheduled Aspen muptials in 2021, "We were so happy with our decision to get married instead of waiting another year," says Peyton. "While it wasn't what we originally envisioned, our new plan ended up being so much more special. We got to really soak in the magnitude of what we were promising each other that day and what the true meaning of marriage is. The whole day truly reflected Joe and I and we felt like it was just the two of us."

1 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Short Story

bride in short white dress holding orange, yellow and white flowers
Credit: Charla Storey

Peyton decided to reserve her already-purchased wedding dress for the larger Aspen wedding, and set out to find something "simple but still beautiful" for her backyard ceremony. One of her friends suggested a Molly Moorkamp shift dress in silk faille with paillette embellishments, which was an unexpected choice: "I immediately knew it was the one," says Peyton. "It was a short dress, which wasn't what I was originally looking for, but it felt like it fit the mold of my small backyard event. I'm also a sucker for a shift dress." Though the company's made-to-order ensembles often require three months' lead time, Peyton was able to get hers within 30 days. "I was so thankful for them," she says. She added short and strappy Stuart Weitzman sandals. "I needed a block heel for the grass and wanted them to be short, since I was trying to go for a more simple backyard look."

  • Chic Short Wedding Dresses

2 of 17

3 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Heirloom Moments

portrait of bride and father in backyard wedding
Credit: Charla Storey

The bride chose her accessories carefully, incorporating sentimental pieces from the women in her family: She donned her mother's diamond bracelet and engagement ring as well as the veil her stepmother wore to marry Peyton's father. "I had a handkerchief made from parts of my mom's wedding dress," she says. "I monogrammed her initials and my own initials into the handkerchief. The goal is to pass it down to my daughter, and so on."

3 of 17

Advertisement

4 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Wrapped with Love

bride holding pastel orange and pink flowers
Credit: Charla Storey

Branching Out Events created Peyton's medium-sized arrangement from a collection of wildflowers and ranunculus in pale white, peach, and yellow tones. "I had cut the sleeve off of my mom's wedding dress," says Peyton, "and the florists wrapped it around my bouquet."

  • The Best Petite Wedding Bouquets

4 of 17

5 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Citrus Splash

oak tree in backyard with pink, orange, and yellow floral decorations
Credit: Charla Storey

An existing tree in the couple's backyard created a natural backdrop for the vows; a floral garland in shades of cheerful orange, peach, and pink with rich emerald greenery added color to the space. The aisle between two sets of white garden chairs was lined with lanterns, and Peyton marked the first chair on her side with a vase of sunflowers to honor her mother's memory.

5 of 17

6 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

With This Ring

couple laughing during ring exchange at wedding ceremony
Credit: Charla Storey

Peyton and Joe saw each other for the first time that day as Peyton's father escorted her down the aisle to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," her mother's favorite song. Tova Sido of Be the Remedies officiated the couple's religious ceremony, incorporating details from questions Peyton and Joe had answered before the wedding day and leading them through traditional vows. "We are both Christian and wanted God to be very present in our ceremony," says Peyton.

6 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Furever Love

Australian shepherd wearing wedding wreath
Credit: Charla Storey

After the ceremony, the bride and groom posed with the newest member of their family: Their dog, Millie, whom they had spontaneously adopted two weeks earlier. "It makes my heart so happy that she was a part of our wedding," says Peyton, "and that we have pictures with her from this day."

  • 35 Ways to Ensure Your Dog Is the Guest of Honor at Your Wedding

7 of 17

8 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Cocktails on the Porch

cocktail hour set up on back deck
Credit: Charla Storey

Post-nuptials, the group enjoyed snacks and drinks on the deck, which had been set with just a small stations.

8 of 17

9 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

On the Menu

person holding white tray of wedding appetizers
Credit: Charla Storey

Proper Catering put together small bites for the cocktail hour—including brioche grilled cheese and Italian herb-crusted crab cakes—and followed it up with a dinner of bibb lettuce salad topped with smoked goat cheese truffles and prosciutto; then came the Parmesan chicken Milanese and salmon piccata.

9 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Light the Night

wedding reception table set up on side of house with string lights above
Credit: Charla Storey

Peyton's vision for the post-ceremony fête was simple: "Quaint and romantic with lots of orange, lots of string lights, and lots of candles," she says. "Above all, I wanted to feel my mother's presence."

  • Wedding Color Palette Ideas to Inspire Your Own

10 of 17

11 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Bright and Bold

long white wedding table with orange and yellow flowers and decorations
Credit: Charla Storey

Though Peyton wanted to use orange as the key shade in her palette, she knew picking the right tone would be essential. "I made sure to ask the florists to steer clear from burnt orange since I am a UT graduate," she says. "I didn't want to look like a crazy Texas fan! The coloring they chose was perfect."

11 of 17

12 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Golden Glow

elegant orange and yellow place setting for wedding reception
Credit: Charla Storey

On the tables, white linen served as a flawless background for rich velvet napkins, white ceramic plates, crystal stemware, and white-and-gold flatware. Pillar candles on dramatic stands—mixed with tiny votives in textured holders—were placed between the low floral arrangements.

12 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

13 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

All Together

wedding couple smiling at reception table
Credit: Charla Storey

The newlyweds and their guests sat at one long table to create a cozy dinner-party atmosphere during the meal. "As a couple, we are very personable and easygoing," says Peyton. "We also wanted it to be fun and lively while also being calm and intimate. Relationships with our friends and family are so important to us and we wanted to create a welcoming environment for all."

13 of 17

14 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

A Sweet Finish

couple kissing with champagne and wedding cake
Credit: Charla Storey

After dinner, Peyton and Joe sliced a two-tier white chocolate and raspberry cake with textured buttercream frosting from Panini Bakery.

  • Small Wedding Cakes with a Big Presence

14 of 17

15 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Fortune Cookie Predictions

slice of cake and fortune cookie on plate at wedding reception
Credit: Charla Storey

One of the biggest surprises of the day for Peyton came when she saw that her father had placed a fortune cookie on each plate—a nod to their weekly visit to a favorite restaurant when she was growing up. "After dinner, I would open my fortune cookie and ask my dad to read the fortune inside, since I couldn't read yet. Every single time he would say, 'You will have a small wedding in your own backyard,'" says Peyton. 

15 of 17

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

16 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

From Trick to Truth

wedding fortune ribbon and cookie and rings
Credit: Charla Storey

It took her years to realize the trick, and though her father reminded her of the fortune often while she and Joe were planning their Aspen wedding, "we never thought it would be our reality," she says. But it wasn't just the secret cookie order that floored her: She had done the same. "I proceeded to bring out a huge dish of cookies that I also ordered," she says. "Both of our jaws dropped as we died laughing over the situation. I cannot believe a pandemic caused my dad's fortune cookie joke to come true, but I will forever be thankful for the most special day."

16 of 17

17 of 17

Pin
Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message

Sources

couple portrait with dog at backyard wedding ceremony
Credit: Charla Storey

Photography, Charla Storey
Event Planning, Kirstin Rose
Catering, Proper Catering
Flowers, Branching Out Events
Officiant, Tova Sido
Stationery, Ellis Hill
Calligraphy, Catherine Cartie Calligraphy (invitations); Jill Henderson
Cake, Panini Bakery
Music, Shayne Green; Absolute Entertainment
Rentals, BBJ Linen; Posh Couture Rentals
Bride's gown, Molly Moorkamp
Bride's accessories, Stuart Weitzman shoes; Lele Sadoughi jewelry
Hair and Makeup, Maitee Miles
Lighting, Beyond Lighting
Rings, Melinda Wheeler

17 of 17

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Blythe Copeland

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    `
    Martha Stewart Weddings
    View All
    • How to Ensure Guests Attend Your Post-Wedding Brunch
    • A Colorful Fall Wedding in Aspen, Colorado
    • What Should You Wear to a Low-Key Bridal Shower?
    • Brooklyn Beckham Just Revealed How He Felt the Moment He Saw Nicola Peltz in Her Wedding Dress
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 17
    2 of 17 Short Story
    3 of 17 Heirloom Moments
    4 of 17 Wrapped with Love
    5 of 17 Citrus Splash
    6 of 17 With This Ring
    7 of 17 Furever Love
    8 of 17 Cocktails on the Porch
    9 of 17 On the Menu
    10 of 17 Light the Night
    11 of 17 Bright and Bold
    12 of 17 Golden Glow
    13 of 17 All Together
    14 of 17 A Sweet Finish
    15 of 17 Fortune Cookie Predictions
    16 of 17 From Trick to Truth
    17 of 17 Sources

    Share & More

    Facebook Tweet Email Send Text Message
    Martha Stewart

    Learn More

    • Contact Us
    • Customer Service
    • Media Kit
    • Martha's Blog
    • Advertise
    • Content Licensing
    • FAQ
    • Corporate
    • International
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Sign Up
    MeredithMartha Stewart is part of the Meredith Home Group. © Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
    © Copyright Martha Stewart. All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.marthastewart.com

    Sign in

    View image

    This Backyard Wedding in Texas Was Predicted—Decades Ago—by the Bride's Father
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.