Laura and John have an extraordinary story to tell when people ask how they met. They spent one summer evening together as teens at the local rodeo in their home town of Hunt, Texas, staying up all night talking and dancing. Following a kiss goodbye, they were separated for a decade until John found Laura on Facebook. A few weeks later at Laura’s family reunion in Hunt they met up again, and the couple was engaged less than a month later. They were married and celebrated in the very town they met and re-met, surrounded by friends and family in this ranch wedding with a glamorous black tie twist.
Laura + John | March 3, 2012 | Hunt, Texas | Dress Listing: Monique Lhuillier, Amaranth
The Ceremony
Our ceremony took place on the river where John and I stayed up late and talked when we were kids. Guests arrived at my grandparents’ home and were greeted with appetizers and cocktails in the backyard before the ceremony began. When it was time for the ceremony, all of the guests were escorted to the river. The ceremony felt so personal and sweet because my bishop who married us spoke about each of us individually and as a couple. We were married right as the sun went down and when we were finally pronounced husband and wife, it was the best moment of my life.
The Reception
The reception was in a big tent beside the river. We opted for a clear tent so you could see the stars at night and I loved how the tent looked from the outside looking in. We also had a big, white balloon that looked like the moon when you were inside the tent. Besides wanting to look beautiful in my dress, I really cared about having a great band and food. We had a really funky western band from Austin, “Mike and the Moon Pies”, and everyone danced the night away. The food was delicious and we served peach cobbler and ice cream in mason jars for dessert.
Laura’s Dress Search
I went wedding dress shopping with my grandmother and my dress was the first dress that I tried on. As soon as I put it on, I knew it was the one! I love how romantic and feminine the lace looks and the hourglass silhouette and open back made me feel sexy. Monique Lhuillier creates gowns that feel and look so luxurious that there wasn’t anything else that came close to comparing! I just knew that John would love the way that I looked. My very favorite picture from the wedding day is a close up of John’s face as he watched me walk down the aisle. There is so much love on his face and I like thinking that he felt that way when he saw me in my dress.
How Laura Felt in Her Wedding Dress
Beautiful, happy, and loved.
Why Laura Decided to Sell Her Wedding Dress
I decided to sell my dress because I want to surprise John with a trip for our anniversary. We recently had a friend of ours pass away who had only been married for eight months and it made me realize that I would rather create good memories with John than collect and hold on to things. I hope that whoever buys my dress feels as beautiful and happy as I felt on my special day.
