That’s a Wrap: A rosary gifted by Whitney’s mother-in-law and a blue-and-white flower wrap from her mother bound her bouquet.

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

Dainty Details: Delicate heels and pearls matched the bride's lacy Maggie Sottero bridal jacket.

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

Poppin’ Bottles: Molly came up with the fun alternative to a guest book for the oenophile couple. “Whitney and Joe’s love of wine inspired us to create something large-scale and for them to have a bottle to open on each major anniversary with notes from their guests to enjoy,” she says.

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

“Whitney loved the elegant look of a green-and-white garden party with a residential feeling to the reception,” Molly says. “When we started the design process, we took inspiration for the wedding from a gorgeous Schumacher fabric and their TCU roots to introduce a hint of purple.”

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

Floral arrangements were a complement to the arboretum’s surrounding blooms.

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

All Around: Custom-printed table linens—inspired by Schumacher fabric—added a fun floral pop inside the reception tent. “Coupled with some beautiful chandeliers and lush florals—not to mention the perfect weather!—it made for a beautiful evening to celebrate,” says planner Molly Rasmussen of Pop Parties.

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

The couple made their grand exit after crowd surfing to Creed’s “Higher.”

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

Ciao, Bella: Following their celebration, the couple departed for Italy, where they honeymooned in Rome, Florence, and Positano.

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

Sneak Preview: Stationery by Pop Parties hints at the green-and-white garden party look that inspired the couple’s reception—with a touch of TCU purple in honor of Joe’s alma mater.

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

Sugar and Spice: The white-on-white exterior of the wedding cake is misleading: Underneath the icing were alternating teirs of red velvet and allspice cake.

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

Perfect Harmony: Cocktail napkins included song lyrics that are especially meaningful to the couple.

Photo by Sarah Kate, Photographer

This Dallas Arboretum Wedding Made Black-Tie Fun

By Caitlin Clark

Whitney Ryan & Joe Spellmeyer

November 16, 2024

The beginning of Whitney Ryan and Joe Spellmeyer’s love story was the stuff of fizzy rom-coms. The setting: an Uptown apartment building with a cast of early twentysomething guys and girls who met on move-in day and quickly formed a friend group. Upon that first meeting, Whitney told her pals of Joe, “I am going to marry him.” And on a crisp November evening five years later, surrounded by 250 of their nearest and dearest, her premonition came true. The couple exchanged I do’s at Christ the King Catholic Church, then celebrated their union at the Dallas Arboretum. Despite being a black-tie affair, the reception still managed to reflect the couple’s fun-loving attitude. They even ended the evening by crowd-surfing to an unusual—but surprisingly crowd-pleasing—final song choice: Creed’s “Higher.”

All Around

Custom-printed table linens—inspired by Schumacher fabric—added a fun floral pop inside the reception tent. “Coupled with some beautiful chandeliers and lush florals—not to mention the perfect weather!—it made for a beautiful evening to celebrate,” says planner Molly Rasmussen of Pop Parties.

 

Sneak Preview

Stationery by Pop Parties hints at the green-and-white garden party look that inspired the couple’s reception—with a touch of TCU purple in honor of Joe’s alma mater.

 

Poppin’ Bottles

Molly came up with the fun alternative to a guest book for the oenophile couple. “Whitney and Joe’s love of wine inspired us to create something large-scale and for them to have a bottle to open on each major anniversary with notes from their guests to enjoy,” she says.

 

Guests

250

First Dance

“You & Me” by Dave Matthews Band

Something Borrowed

A necklace featuring diamonds from Whitney’s grandmother’s wedding ring

Credits

  • Ceremony Site

    Christ the King Catholic Church

  • Photographer

    Sarah Kate, Photographer

  • Bridal Gown Designer

    Martina Liana (dress); Maggie Sottero (jacket); Toni Federici (veil)

  • Bridal Gown Retailer

    Bridal Boutique of Lewisville

  • Hair & Makeup

    Ashley McNabb Artistry

  • Groom’s Attire

    Ken’s Man’s Shop

  • Bridesmaids’ Dresses Designer

    Dessy Group

  • Bridesmaids’ Dresses Retailer

    Bella Bridesmaids

  • Groomsmen’s Attire

    Ken’s Man’s Shop

  • Flower Girl Dress Retailer

    David’s Bridal

  • Reception Site

    Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

  • Flowers

    Petals Couture

  • Stationery

    Pop Parties

  • Cake

    Cakes by Tayte

  • Catering

    Wolfgang Puck Catering

  • Music

    Intensity Bands

  • Lighting

    LeForce Entertainment

  • Wedding Rentals

    BBJ La Tavola

  • Wedding Planner/Designer

    Pop Parties

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