Crystal Wise
When Krystal Methenitis started mapping out her wedding in early 2020, the North Texas bride-to-be hadn’t planned on contending with an uninvited guest: a pandemic.
But by applying a few nips and tucks to their special day, the bride and her husband, Christian, were able to have their wedding this past summer on a warm, beautiful day, family and friends by their sides, almost as if everything was right with the world.
“I’m happy it turned out the way it did,” she says. “It was so much easier to enjoy it. Some brides say they didn’t enjoy or even remember their weddings because there were 8 billion things going on. Me, I wouldn’t change a thing.”
The pandemic has caused us to pause, rearrange, postpone, or completely axe many of our life plans. But those associated with weddings — from planners and caterers to the brides and grooms themselves — have figured out ways to move forward with them, safely and smartly, they say.
In other words, wedding experts say, you don’t have to reschedule your special day.
“During the early stages of the pandemic, many venues and vendors did everything they could to support their brides and reschedule wedding dates due to closures,” says Shari Clarkson, owner and lead planner at Nobleman + Grace, a local wedding planning company. “Today, with venues opening back up, we’re encouraging our brides to keep the dates. Ultimately, they have to do what they’re comfortable with.”
Not wanting to reschedule their wedding dates but also hoping to be as safe and conscientious as possible, many brides have turned to the “micro-wedding,” a wedding with all the traditional bells and whistles but on a smaller scale. For example, mammoth guest lists are out.
“That turned out to be a plus,” Methenitis says. “When you can only invite a few people, you’re side by side with the ones who mean the most to you. You’re not wondering, ‘Who’s that guy?’”
Crystal Wise
A “Diamond” in the rough
Because of the ease with which social distancing can be practiced, outdoor venues have become popular destinations for micro-weddings. At one such venue, the picturesque Diamond H3 Ranch in Weatherford, couples stroll down the aisle of an open-air chapel — wildlife, Texas skies, and rolling hills in the background. They say “I do” while facing a 7-foot tall cross, handmade from oak wood.
Crystal Wise
Named after Edisto Island, a South Carolina sea island where Brackish co-founder Ben Ross spent time growing up, The Edisto bow tie is an original Ben Ross design. It’s made from guinea and pheasant feathers, with a center wrap of black grosgrain. $195. brackishbowties.com
Open for five years, Diamond H3 added the chapel in February, right when the pandemic hit.
“Originally, we built the chapel to use for outdoor weddings if the weather got bad,” says Spencer Hodge, who owns the venue with her father, Jeff Hodge. “We never dreamed it would be used for something like a socially distanced wedding.”
Crystal Wise
Part of the venue’s 100-acre footprint, the chapel has become one of the most in-demand wedding spaces in the area. With good reason. Guests rest comfortably — and at a distance from one another — on pine pews, each slat made by hand. Breezes drift through the chapel, keeping guests cool. And picturesque views translate to guests snapping Instas from every angle.
Crystal Wise
Crafted, by hand, with goose feathers, pheasant feathers and stingray, The Gault earrings from Charleston, South Carolina’s Brackish are 3 1/2 inches long and 1 inch wide. Nickel-free and lead-free, they’re suitable for those with sensitive ears. $175. brackishbowties.com
While receptions at the ranch can be held inside the venue’s stunning main building, an attractively rustic barn made out of cedar, tighter capacity restrictions mean many post-wedding activities are held outdoors.
This would include a churro bar, where the freshly made Mexican pastries, coated in sugar and dipped in chocolate, are handed out to guests in cups. Another popular wedding vendor at Diamond provides roaming mules, carrying everything from flowers to beer.
Crystal Wise
The Courtney Wide Cuff from Charleston, South Carolina’s Brackish is made by hand from guinea feathers and 24k gold-plated hardware. Each feather is hand-picked, meaning no two designs are the same. $195. brackishbowties.com
“COVID makes you think outside the box, which leads to a lot of creativity,” says Madison Bowling, a North Texan who recently married. “But at the same time, having a mule deliver a beer to you is a smart way to self-serve. And smart is what you have to be these days.”
But in the end, Bowling says, it’s about you and the one you love.
“It doesn’t matter if you can only invite so many people,” she says. “It doesn’t matter if your wedding is fancy or simple. What matters is that the two of you are there, sharing this moment together.”
THE RIGHT VENUES FOR A DISTANCED WEDDING
Hoping to keep their wedding guests as safe as possible during the pandemic, many brides have turned to outdoor venues to host their special days. Here are some outdoor options for a stellar, stylish wedding:
Diamond H3 Ranch: Beautiful Weatherford ranch sits on 100 acres of picturesque rolling hills. A new open-air chapel offers ample seating and built-in breezes to keep guests cool. 5400 Old Brock Road, Weatherford, diamondh3ranch.com
Fort Worth Botanic Garden: Fort Worth’s endlessly scenic botanic garden offers several spaces for outdoor weddings and receptions. 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., fwbg.org
Lost Oak Winery: Wineries have become a popular destination for outdoor weddings, not only for their picturesque settings but also, hello, wine. This Burleson winery offers several wedding spots, situated among its skyscraping oak trees, handmade barn doors and Insta-worthy vineyards. 8101 County Road 802, Burleson, lostoakwinery.com
The Sanford House: Historic bed and breakfast in Arlington is a popular destination for intimate weddings, held in a Victorian-style gazebo, surrounded by lush flower beds and beautiful water fountains. 506 North Center St., Arlington, thesanfordhouse.com
Stoney Ridge Villa: Nestled in a secluded area of Azle, this 18th century-inspired Mediterranean Hacienda villa overlooks downtown Fort Worth and the surrounding countryside. A beautiful, majestic venue. 451 Stoney Ridge, Azle, stoneyridgevilla.com
Benbrook Stables: Popular for horseback riding, this picturesque venue is also open for weddings in need of a Western twang. 10001 Benbrook Blvd., benbrookstables.com
Crystal Wise
When planning weddings, one of the first things professional wedding planner Shari Clarkson does is create a color palette and inspiration board for her brides. “I listen to the bride and groom’s love story,” she says. “I consider the things they love to do together, their cultures, and their ideas for their dreamy wedding. ”To zero in on the perfect color, she also considers the venue and wedding season. “Each venue has a style of its own, unique features and colors that can either work with the wedding décor or battle against it,” Clarkson says. “Adding a strong, seasonal signature color is a good base for the final color palette. ”For this photo shoot, staged at Diamond H3 Ranch, Clarkson went with a warm, rich palette of rust, burnt orange, mustard yellow, and deep cobalt blue. “I knew I wanted to go with a bold, colorful palette,” she says. “I loved the earthy tones of the fence, barn, and brook in contrast to the white chapel. The barn was strongly masculine, and the white chapel, softy feminine, much like a bride and groom reflecting each other. ”The color palette and theme became the driving force of the wedding’s design as a whole. “Each flower, piece of décor, and even the attire reflected our inspiration,” Clarkson says. “The signature color, rust, was highlighted in the linens, terra cotta flowerpots, wine coolers, and the groom’s tuxedo jacket, anchoring our design perfectly. When it all comes together, the couple has a design that is uniquely theirs. Something different. Something special.”
Crystal Wise
Planning Tips
Planning a wedding can be an exciting time for any bride. At the same time, it can be stressful to plan an elaborate ceremony and reception. Toss in a pandemic, the stress can become overwhelming.
That’s why we asked Shari Clarkson, owner and lead planner at Nobleman + Grace, a local boutique wedding planning company, to share tips on how to have a perfect wedding during COVID-19.
Stay calm and don’t overreact. Expect that some things will be beyond your control as everyone tries to follow safety guidelines. It is important to remember that the most treasured detail of the day is marrying the one you love.
Know your local regulations. Knowing what to expect will eliminate surprises. In some counties, venues are open to 75% occupancy, while others are still at 50% occupancy. Understanding the governor’s executive orders and the minimum recommended health protocols for Texas is a must.
Be confident in your wedding date. With many wedding venues opening back up, wedding planners are advising brides to not reschedule their dates. Rescheduling often results in additional, unwanted fees that can bust a wedding budget, and it delays the bride’s main objective — to get married.
Trim the guest list. Your guests may feel more comfortable with a smaller group of loved ones and dearest friends versus a larger, crowded group.
Vendors
Planner: Nobleman + Grace, @noblemanandgrace
Photos by Crystal Clear Photography, @crystalclearphotographytx
Venue: Diamond H3 Ranch @diamondh3ranch
Dress provided by Bow and Arrow Bridal, @bowandarrowbridal
Suit provided by Al’s Formal Wear, @alsformalwear
Flowers provided by Remembrance Flowers Shop, @remembranceflowers
Hair and makeup by Delaney Valenzuela, @delaney.valenzuela
Mules provided by Sweet Ass Servers, @sweet_ass_servers
Churro bar provided by Haulin’ Nostalgia, @nostalgia_cotton_candy
Cake provided by Back Home Bakery, @backhomebakery
Linens provided by AM Linen Rental, @amlinenrental
Bowties by Brackish, @brackishbowties
