Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Embrace flexibility in wedding planning
- Choose a venue that fits your vision
- Prepare for unpredictable weather
- Consider wildlife and pests for outdoor events
- Cherish support from loved ones
- Focus on the essence of your celebration
Wedding planning stories are a dime a dozen, and pretty much anyone who has gone through the process can regale you with tales of unwanted dramas and last-minute crises. As a New Yorker, the idea of getting married on a ranch never even crossed my mind as a remote possibility, even in a parallel universe. But, as it happened, I did end up having a Texas outdoor wedding and, boy, was it an experience. If you have ever dreamt of riding a cowboy into the sunset, read on.
How It Started
When I first met my husband on the streets of Manhattan, I would have never expected that this cosmopolitan city slicker had the heart of a cowboy. However, as we got to know each other better, I learned that he was born and bred in Texas and had a deep love for the great outdoors. From hiking to horse riding, his affinity for nature was infectious. Besides, who could resist the rugged charm of a man with a 5 o’clock shadow who cooks your dinner by campfire? Not me, anyway!
After five years of dating, he popped the question when we were camping under the stars in Big Bend National Park. We had come down for the long weekend to get away from the cacophony of the city, and as we sat by the crackling fire, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a solitaire diamond ring, and asked me to be his wife. I don’t know if the gem was extra sparkly, if it was the stars twinkling, or if it was just the tears in my eyes, but I said (maybe screamed) yes without a moment’s hesitation.
The Dream and the Reality
Our first thought was to have the wedding in New York, where most of our friends and family members were. However, the more we talked about it, the more it felt right to exchange our vows in the serene wilderness of Texas. After all, it held such a special place in our hearts, and I wanted to honor the love that my future husband had for his home state. To make the most of the lovely surroundings, it would, of course, have to be an outdoor wedding.
However, as we delved deeper into planning, we realized that an outdoor wedding required meticulous attention to detail and a readiness to adapt to Mother Nature’s whims. The first challenge was selecting a date. Texas weather is notoriously unpredictable, and we wanted to avoid the extreme heat of summer and the potential for spring storms. After much deliberation, we settled on an early fall date, hoping for mild temperatures and clear skies.
The Venue
With our date set, we started scouring the internet for the perfect venue, wanting to find a spot that was both picturesque and private. My dream of an outdoor wedding began with an image of rolling hills, wildflowers in full bloom, and a gentle breeze rustling through the trees. We toured several ranches and vineyards, each more breathtaking than the last. It started off fun, but I was quickly overwhelmed by the sheer number of options and struggled to envision how each space would look on our wedding day.
Finally, we came across Triple Mountain Ranch, a stunning and sprawling ranch between Dallas and Austin. The initial site visit was magical. There were several different venues on the property to choose from and their wedding coordinator was extremely helpful in walking us through the logistics of each. We were instantly smitten, and I could already picture ourselves saying our vows as the sun set behind us. It was then that I realized, “Oh my God, this is actually going to happen!”
The Dress
Next, the dress. Any bride knows that this is a whole thing in and of itself. I didn’t want just a typical gown—I wanted something that would complement the rustic setting we had chosen for our wedding. After trying on what felt like a million dresses, I finally found the one that made me feel like “Queen of the Ranch.” Unfortunately, the dress needed several alterations to fit my non-supermodel-body perfectly, and I started to worry that it would not be ready in time for the wedding.
Thankfully, the boutique managed to deliver the dress in time, but fate would not let me off so easily. As I tried on the dress, one of the buttons on the bodice popped off, much to the horror of everyone in the room. Oh dear, had I really been stress eating that much? Luckily, the seamstress had stayed to make sure that the dress fit. We scrambled to find the runaway button and she was able to quickly fix the problem. Crisis averted! Note: it was completely the dress’ fault and not mine.
The Wild Card
Now, despite our careful planning, there was one thing we couldn’t control: the weather. In the weeks leading up to the wedding, we obsessively checked the forecast. Texas weather can change rapidly, and my anxiety grew as the date approached. A week before the wedding, a sudden cold front was predicted to bring rain and cooler temperatures. Panic set in! What if it rains just as I walk down the aisle? What if the gusts of wind are so strong that my veil flies straight off my head?
We decided to move the wedding from the open courtyard to under the large event tent, just in case. Thankfully, it was still available, and we were able to make the switch with minimal disruption. The tent was not part of our original vision, but it offered a safety net against the elements. With chandeliers, draped white chiffon, and twinkling string lights, the tent actually turned out to be an incredibly dreamy and romantic space. Now I could get married, rain or shine!
Wedding Crashers
As we dealt with the weather, another aspect of outdoor weddings reared its head: wildlife. Texas is home to a variety of critters and any outdoor gathering is an open invitation for wedding crashers of the ecological kind. Mosquitoes (the bane of my existence) are still active in the fall, especially around dusk, when we would be having our wedding party. The last thing we wanted was for our guests to be uncomfortable or for my face to be ruined by a gigantic, red welt.
In preparation, the venue did a thorough sweep of the ceremony and reception areas to ensure that pesky insects were kept at bay. We also set up citronella candles strategically around the tent. Just to be extra safe, we provided our guests with complimentary eco-friendly insect repellant as part of the welcome bags. One or two of the surprisingly resilient bloodsuckers still made a guest appearance, but overall, I think our precautions were successful.
The Big Day
Despite the challenges, the day of the wedding arrived with a mix of excitement and nerves. The morning was overcast, but the forecast had shifted by the afternoon, promising only a slight chance of rain. As guests began to arrive, the sky started to clear, and the sun winked through the clouds. I sneaked a peek out the window of the bridal suite as the guests were taking their seats, watching my soon-to-be husband greet each one with a warm smile. My heart was racing with anticipation.
Walking down the aisle felt surreal. The stress and worries we faced seemed to fade away as I took in the natural beauty around us and the smiling faces of the people who were part of our life journey. We exchanged our vows as the setting sun cast a golden glow over the ceremony. It was everything I had hoped for and more. The tent, which we had initially seen as a compromise, added a cozy and intimate feel to the reception. It was absolutely perfect.
How It Is Going
Looking back, the trials and tribulations of planning our Texas outdoor wedding taught me several valuable lessons. First and foremost, flexibility is key. No matter how much planning and preparation you do, life has its own plans. Having a backup plan and being ready to adapt is crucial. The tent, though not part of our original vision, turned out to be a blessing in disguise and I would not have traded it in even though the weather ended up cooperating.
Secondly, support is invaluable. Throughout the entire process, my fiancé and I talked through every challenge or concern and we made sure to listen and support each other in our decisions. Our friends and family also played a huge role in offering moral support and helping us not get caught up in the stress of wedding planning. To be honest, the wedding preparations were like a trial run on how well we would cope with our new life together, and I think we passed with flying colors.
Finally, try to enjoy the journey. It is so easy to get caught up in the what-ifs and lose sight of why you are doing all this in the first place. At the end of the day, the wedding should be a celebration of your love and commitment to each other. While mosquito-free sunsets, fancy hors d’oeuvres, and nights in white satin are all wonderful, they are not the essence of the event. What matters is saying “I do” to taking on what comes next as a formidable team of two. That, and the perfect dress!
