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This Arlo Wedding Was a Mix of Texas Tradition and an African Safari

October 27, 2023 | kailey

Brittney and Oyewale’s journey to their dream wedding was like a rollercoaster of ideas. They started with one vision, but that quickly changed when they realized they just had to be in the Texas Hill Country for their big day.  And with those stunning views, who could blame them? Their style was all about the beautiful mix of terracotta and turquoise, but they wanted to add a touch of springtime freshness to it. With an amazing team of vendors, their Arlo wedding became a perfect blend of breathtaking scenery, spring florals, and personal details reflecting their love story.

Nestled among the beauty of oak trees, their wedding venue was like a magical blend of countryside charm and modern luxury. Imagine this: the ceremony unfolded right in front of large windows that offered a stunning view of the property. But what really stole the show was their one-of-a-kind altar, taking the spotlight. Wrapped in vibrant spring flowers, the couple shared their heartfelt vows, surrounded by their dear ones. The reception was a feast for the eyes, with tables adorned with the most colorful blooms and fruit centerpieces. And to top it all off, the greenery chandeliers added that extra touch of natural beauty.

And just when you thought the decor couldn’t get any more fabulous, wait until you look at their attire! The bride was an absolute vision in her off-the-shoulder wedding dress, radiating timeless beauty and grace. Meanwhile, the groom brought the style game to a whole new level, sporting a turquoise suit that made quite the fashion statement. So, if you’re looking for inspiration or curious about the behind-the-scenes of this truly one-of-a-kind day, don’t stop scrolling. Just Like Honey has skillfully captured every detail and then some, preserving the magic of this extraordinary celebration.

The Couple:

Brittney and Oyewale

The Wedding:

Arlo, Texas, United States

Personalizing their Arlo Wedding Through Meaningful Touches

We personalized our celebration in many ways. First, through pictures of our loved ones passed for guests to see. We had reserved seating with custom signage for our departed fathers on the front row. Our word choice on our welcome sign reads “Dang, you look good!” in the most elegant font—keeping with the classics of a wedding but with our unexpected edge. The most significant personalized touch was the broom we jumped in keeping with the African-American tradition. My best friend handmade the broom, embellished with pearls and ribbon, and brought it from Northern VA for the ceremony. It will be cherished and passed down in our family, creating our first family custom.

Music was Their Top Priority

So, we sprung for a band from Houston to Austin, no small feat. The Drywater Band played the perfect soundtrack to our celebration. Our favorite local DJ, Big Reeks, played a live vinyl set to end the night. Music is so important to me and to Wale. I grew up listening to music my dad would play daily, and Wale’s mother is a former music instructor. There is no doubt that music is powerful on many levels, and our wedding demonstrated that thanks to Avondale Entertainment and DJ Big Reeks.

From Vision to Reality: Their Memorable Floral Backdrop

To dream a thing in your head and then have your florist listen, interpret, and execute was such a gift. Our floral mandala/arbor was unique, and it was perfect! And talking about repurposing florals, many of our guests used the arbor as their photo backdrop after the ceremony because it was too good not to.

Two Ceremonies, Two Favors: Whataburger Delights and Personalized Mementos for Their Arlo Wedding

We didn’t do favors at our American wedding. We gave out a Whataburger late-night snack to keep the crowd sustained and happy. We gave favors at our traditional Nigerian ceremony the day before. They were velvet bags with our custom O+B emblem on the front. Inside contained notebooks with our picture as the first page and a 3-port phone charger, and our emblem lights up when plugged in. It is customary for favors that feature the bride and groom’s name or likeness at Nigerian weddings. 

Wedding Planning Advice: Trust Your Instincts

I’m a feely Cancer, so an event’s temperature, tone, and texture must be of the highest quality. One guest told me that a catering team member commented, “I’ve done many weddings, and none have felt this good. The energy in the room is so positive.” Brides, keep heart. If you’re anything like me, you will agonize a few times. Trust your gut, and don’t mind the setbacks. Let it all work out.

Unplanned Bliss: The Soul Train and Sparkling Surprise

The most memorable moment of our big day was the Soul Train line. It was unplanned and perfect. We are love dancing, and seeing all the people we love completely let loose and celebrate our love with us through dance, there is no better feeling. We also had cold sparks placed along the descending staircase for our grand exit surprise. We hammed it up for the cameras with a deep dip and a kiss.

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Just Like Honey
Event Planning – Events By Mackenzie
Ceremony + Reception Venue – Arlo
Floral Design – Stems Floral Design
Catering – Dagar’s Catering
Cake – Cakes Rock
DJ – DJ Big Reeks
Live Music – Drywater Band
Videography – Reverent Wedding Films
Invitation Design – Jo’s Paper Kitchen
Makeup Artist – Moka Beaute Studio
Hair Styling – Cut Colored and Crowned
Wedding Dress – Lillian West by Justin Alexander
Groom’s Apparel – Tailor Me
Rentals – Table Manners
Wedding Day Signage and Stationery – LBV Design House
Furniture – Bee Lavish Event Rentals
Lighting – Austin Event Lighting
Chair Rentals – Premiere Events
Fireworks – Big Dog Pyro
Getaway Car – ATX Classic Cars

 

Congratulations to Brittany and Oyewale on their Arlo wedding, blending Texas tradition with the spirit of an African safari. And many thanks to Just Like Honey for flawlessly capturing every element of this unforgettable celebration.

Their wedding serves as a shining example of how infusing personal touches and unleashing your creativity can result in a wedding day that’s uniquely yours. If you’re inspired by their special day but unsure where to begin, worry not—we’ve got your back! Check out our guide on planning a one-of-a-kind celebration for a wealth of ideas to get you started on your own extraordinary journey.

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Best Songs to Play When Groom Walks Down the Aisle

October 26, 2023 | kailey

Music plays such an important role on your wedding day. There are so many moments that can be upgraded with the right song choice. We’re talking about the first dance, the mother-son dance, your grand entrance—the list could go on forever. But one moment you don’t want to forget about is the groom walking down the aisle. It’s a big moment, and picking the perfect song for it should be just as special as the bride’s walk. 

Ultimately, the best song is one that holds special meaning for the couple. But if you’re not sure where to start, We’re here to help you rock it. These song ideas offer a mix of fun and sentimentality, making them great choices for the groom’s walk down the aisle. 

Country Songs for Groom to Walk Down the Aisle

Speechless — Dan + Shay

10,000 Hours — Dan and Shay ft Justin Bieber

In Case You Didn’t Know — Brett Young

You Make it Easy — Jason Aldean

Heaven — Kane Brown

Joy of My Life — Chris Stapleton

Bless the Broken Road — Rascal Flatts

Die A Happy Man — Thomas Rhett

Better Together — Luke Combs

Classics

Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours — Stevie Wonder

Beyond — Leon Bridges

She Loves You — The Beatles

Everything I Do I Do It For You — Bryan Adams

Can’t Help Falling in Love — Elvis Presley

For Once In My Life — Stevie Wonder 

You Make My Dreams Come True — Daryl Hall & John Oates

Let’s Hear It For The Boy — Denise Williams

Pop Songs to Walk Down the Aisle 

Adore You — Harry Styles

Walking on a Dream — Empire of the Sun

Marry Me — Train

On Top of the World — Imagine Dragons

Marry You — Bruno Mars 

I See the Light — Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi

Electric Love — BORNS

What a Man Gotta Do — The Jonas Brothers

James Bond Theme — The London Symphony Orchestra

Hip Hop and Soul Songs 

Love — by Kendrick Lamar

The Man — Aloe Blacc

Love won — Jelly Roll & Struggle Jennings

Forever — Chris Brown 

Let’s Get Married — Jagged Edge 

Bonnie and Clyde — Jay Z & Beyoncé

Men In Black — Will Smith

Rock Songs for the Groom’s Entrance 

First Day of My Life — Bright Eyes

Nothing Else Matters — Metallica 

Back In Black — AC/DC

Welcome to the Jungle — Guns N’ Roses

Pour Some Sugar on Me — Def Leppard

Edge of Seventeen — Stevie Nicks

Wonderwall — Oasis

You have your songs for groom to walk down the aisle picked out, now you’re just missing one thing: your wedding DJ. If you need help finding a wedding DJ you can trust to bring your musical vision to life, check out these Junebug-approved DJs in our directory of vendors from all over the world.

Image by Tatum Nelson.

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Eccentric & Intimate Marfa Wedding Full of Unique Touches

October 25, 2023 | justine

Heather and Jordan got engaged during their very first visit to Marfa in June 2022, so when it came time to start planning their wedding, they knew they wanted to share this special place with their loved ones. They cared about ensuring their guests had a great time, especially since many were coming from different parts of the country. From the welcome party to the sunset stargazing and every moment in between, their intimate Marfa wedding was just that.

Their big day began with a simple and beautiful courthouse ceremony. As unique as the artsy town of Marfa itself, the couple’s portraits around town showcased a mix of cool minimalist art and culture. Following that, they threw an El Cosmico reception that brought together the Wild West with a desert festival twist. But the fun didn’t stop there. It kept going all through the night with an epic karaoke after-party.

If your wedding vibe is artistic with a touch of Texan charm, you’re in for a treat as you browse through these remarkable photos skillfully captured by Eyeronic Love. Be sure to take notes on the creative and unique ways they personalized their big day to reflect their love story, as these ideas can inspire your own upcoming celebration.

The Couple:

Heather and Jordan

The Wedding:

El Cosmico, Marfa, Texas, United States

Utilizing the Desert Aesthetic at Their Intimate Marfa Wedding

A lot of our wedding took shape out of inspiration from the local landscape, art, and culture of Marfa. Jordan and I got engaged on our first trip to Marfa in June 2022. Once we began wedding planning, it became clear that bringing our loved ones to this special place would make for an unforgettable event. At the outset, we knew we wanted to create an experience for all that was both fun and joyful. We wanted our guests to soak in their surroundings and feel like an important part of our celebrations. Our goal was to create an environment that felt natural but not “boho.” We wanted to work with the desert by utilizing wildflowers and tumbleweed.

Carving Out Quiet Moments Just for the Two of Them at Their Intimate Marfa Wedding

Having our friends and family (some meeting each other for the first time) come from all over the country to be with us on our wedding day was something we will always treasure. However, the most memorable part of our wedding day for me was not the amazing welcome BBQ, leather-stamping, or the after-party karaoke, but the moments before our ceremony. It was the quiet moments of her getting ready and us walking hand in hand up to the courthouse to start the next chapter of our lives. We decided to have a private reading of our vows before the ceremony. During that, I felt so connected to Heather and overtaken with love and passion for her. And just beyond proud of us and everything we accomplished to get to that moment. 

The Perfect Blend of Tradition and Authenticity at Their Courthouse Ceremony

A courthouse ceremony perfectly solved our problem of balancing formality and tradition with authenticity. Our wedding ceremony was held at the historic Presidio County Courthouse. I walked down the aisle to Florence & the Machine’s “Stand By Me” cover, and my grandpa told people to put their phones away during the “social media minute.” It was all absolutely perfect.

A Flower-Filled Courthouse Exit Made for the Couple’s Favorite Photos

As Jordan and I took portraits in the dome of the courthouse, my woman of honor worked to corral our guests outside and disperse small bags of flower petals. As we exited the courthouse and our guests showered us with jasmine flowers, I felt absolutely overcome with love and celebration. All of our wedding photos are stunning, but these were the ones that immediately brought tears to my eyes. The love and joy from our wedding are beautifully captured in these photos and this memory.

Wedding Advice: Set Wedding Expense Priorities

My advice is to work with your partner to identify your top wedding priorities early on. Almost every step of the process will cost more than you expect. If you have already decided that certain things are or are not worth the splurge, you can handle the surprises better. 

Keeping Their Guests Entertained Throughout Their Wedding Weekend With Leather Crafting, Karaoke & Stargazing

Our reception was a classic drinks, dinner, and dancing just down the road at El Cosmico. We also decided to bring in a vendor that does leather crafting. The crew from Artisan Oddities was so friendly and helped our guests create handmade mementos with Texan flair. Our guest list was quite small, so we knew we’d have to get creative to build up the party vibe we were going for. After the reception dance party ended at 10 P.M., we invited everyone out to a karaoke after-party. And they showed up! Karaoke with our guests was an absolute highlight. We were watching the videos back and laughing about everyone’s song choices is so fun. We took it easy the next day and invited everyone out for stargazing at sundown. West Texas has some of the darkest sky in North America, and everyone was looking for the famed Marfa Lights.

Guest Experience was Their Top Priority at Their Intimate Marfa Wedding

Most of our guests had to fly to El Paso and then rent a car for a three-hour road trip to arrive at our wedding venue. So we wanted them to leave with fond memories of our ceremony, reception, Marfa, and the larger Trans-Pecos region.  We kicked things off with a welcome party to get everyone acquainted. As guests departed, we returned them to their hotels and Airbnb with welcome boxes filled with a few of our favorite things. Our wedding was an absolute dream and felt so authentic to us. Where most wedding celebrations span an afternoon or evening, we were fortunate to celebrate with our loved ones over a few days in the Far West Texas desert. 

 

The Wedding Team:

Photography – Eyeronic Love
Event Planning – Cat Haus Design & Rentals
Ceremony Venue – Presidio County Courthouse
Reception Venue – El Cosmico
Floral Design – A Better Fete
Catering – Easy Wind Catering
Cake – Hannah Delagi
Makeup Artist – Lauryn Maciaz
Hair Styling – Mariah Sanchez
Rings – Lindsey Leigh Jewelry

 

Congratulations to Heather and Jordan on their eccentric and intimate Marfa wedding. And a big thank you to Eyeronic Love for capturing all the unique touches and unforgettable moments on the happiest day of their lives.

Going to a wedding can be a big commitment for guests in terms of both time and money. So, why not make it a memorable experience for your loved ones, just as this couple did. Adding little touches like a warm welcome celebration, some fun entertainment, and an exciting after-party can make your guests feel extra special. It’s all about making the day not just about you and your partner. But also about celebrating your love with the people who mean the most to you.

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