• NEW Wedding Ideas

From the calligraphed cacti and the fringe caftans to the cowboy hats and turquoise elements, this inspiration shoot screams Southwestern boho! When this team of Texans chooses a theme, they really go all in and we are all about it!  Bright shades of terracotta mix with softer pastels and jewel tones giving the wedding a palette that could work for summer or fall. Lazy S Hacienda really sets the scene, but for us the beer burros are EVERYTHING! 

Southern Housewives Weddings & Events and Southern Wild Creative Co. thought out every detail and brought together an amazing team of vendors for this workshop which is evident not only in the design but the food selection as well...just wait until you see this feast! The florals by Alba Dahlia Floral fuse perfectly with the modern arches and the natural elements. Kendrick Terrell Photography + Design did an incredible job at capturing the energy of this special day. You can see all of the images in the full gallery. Read on to hear more from the workshop host, Devon Handley of Southern Wild Creative Co. 

MEET THE COUPLE

We came together on a cold morning in January to create some absolute vendor magic to host this workshop and shoot put together by Southern Housewives Weddings & Events and Southern Wild Creative Co.! Our couple is Wes and Devon Handley, they met when they were both lifeguards at Hurricane Harbor in 2008 and have been inseparable ever since; they got married in 2013 and have since had two kids: a boy and a girl! Wes is a firefighter in the DFW area of Texas, and Devon is a wedding planner, rental company co-owner, and networking company co-owner.

 GETTING READY

After the vendors arrived, Devon and her business partner, Halee, spoke about their business and the importance of submitting work to blogs and magazines, as well as what all should go into planning a styled shoot. After Devon was finished, she went into hair and makeup, which was done by the amazing M. U. A. H. By Jessica Stoughton & Co. who was already busy working on the bridesmaids models. They took a break for lunch, which was a delicious authentic Mexican kitchen truck called Cuates Kitchen, then got dressed. The wedding dress was a boho style by Rue de Seine borrowed from A & Bé Bridal in Dallas and the bridesmaids' dresses gave a flowy terracotta vibe and were rented from The Kindred Soul. The Groom got dressed in his Wrangler jeans and Ariat button-up, finishing it out with a tan Paisley & Grey jacket from Men's Wearhouse. The photographers took the shots of the details which included stationery by Words Made Semple who also designed the sweetheart table and banner.

SOME NEW WEDDING MUST-HAVES

We made our way to the ceremony area, which was a unique copper arch from Southern Wild Rentals and perfectly decorated with florals by Alba Dahlia Floral. The couple took stunning photos and they were soon joined by Frank and Sammy (the ADORABLE donkeys from Big City Farm)! The donkeys were the absolute perfect touch and we HIGHLY recommend having beer burros at your wedding, they were so much fun and so sweet! We then went to the black horse trailer bar from Black Cactus Bar Co. who served a lavender mojito and ranch water in cantaritos which really fit the aesthetic. 

The cake was a white buttercream cake with real turquoise jewelry accents-all the jewelry was provided by Uptown Vaquera! They enjoyed the always delicious coffee from Night Owl Coffee Cart, and the girls moseyed on to the lounge set up provided by Coral Lane Rentals and the second arch, provided again from Southern Wild Rentals, topped with macrame from Lovin' This Macrame.

MAKING THE MOST OF THE VENUE 

We then went outside to really capture the beauty of the Lazy S Hacienda and its imported Spanish doors–truly a stand-out piece. The arch went perfectly with our teal smoke bombs by Smoke Effect, and then they went for a walk in the field with the orange and brown smoke bombs, which were the perfect combo! Smoke bombs are a personal favorite of Devon. We finished the workshop and shoot off with sunset photos, completely the most perfect day and shoot!

A LITTLE ADVICE 

Devon’s advice to couples is “to find what makes y’all unique as a couple and RUN WITH IT! It’s y’all’s day, not your mom’s or aunt’s, but y’all’s, make it 100% YOU! Get the food truck, add in that Star Wars touch, wear the blush gown, show off your gorgeous tattoos, heck go elope, and ENJOY your day with your significant other! You only get married once (usually) so make the most of it!”.

BUDGET BREAKDOWN

The budget for this styled shoot was $30,000. Please note that prices do change, and this budget breakdown gives you an idea of how much a wedding like this might cost you.

• Bridesmaid Dresses: The Kindred Soul
• Cakes & Catering: Wildfour Cakery
• Cakes & Catering: Cuates Kitchen
• Cakes & Catering: Board + Brie
• Cakes & Catering: Black Cactus Bar Co.
• Coffee Cart: Night Owl Coffee Cart
• Couple: Devon Handley
• Couple: Wes Handley
• Donkeys: Big City Farm
• Dress & Apparel: A & Bé Bridal
• Event Planning & Design: Southern Housewives Weddings & Events
• Flowers: Alba Dahlia Floral
• Groom & His Men: Men's Wearhouse
• Hair, Makeup & Beauty: M. U. A. H. By Jessica Stoughton & Co.
• Jewelry: Uptown Vaquera
• Networking Company: Southern Wild Creative Co.
• Paper Goods & Calligraphy: Words Made Semple
• Photographers: Kendrick Terrell Photography + Design
• Rentals: Coral Lane
• Rentals: Southern Wild Rentals
• Rentals: Lovin' This Macrame
• Send Off Smoke Sticks: Smoke Effect
• Tanning: Globox Tan
• Venues: Lazy S Hacienda