A-tisket, A-tasket: The couple’s nieces served as flower girls, with the youngest ones hitching a ride in a rattan wagon, which was pulled by the couple’s nephews.

Photo by John Cain Photography

All in the Family: Catherine’s mom was instrumental in planning the wedding, just as she was with Catherine’s two sisters’ weddings. “She knows all of us to our core,” Catherine says.

Photo by John Cain Photography

Photo by John Cain Photography

Boot Scootin’ Bougie: When designing her invitation suite, Catherine drew on shades of blue and green to echo the natural beauty that would inspire the whole event. But the rehearsal dinner invitation got a pop of whimsy in the shape of a boot. “We really just wanted something fun and different,” she says.

Photo by John Cain Photography

Art Imitates Life: For floral inspiration, Catherine showed Alicia photos of wildflowers blooming on the ranch in different seasons. “We really wanted to mimic nature, where there’s no certain pattern—it’s all just natural, and there are clusters in certain areas,” says the florist.

Photo by John Cain Photography

Photo by John Cain Photography

Photo by John Cain Photography

Photo by John Cain Photography

Same but Different: Alicia Rico of Bows and Arrows used the same flowers in different combinations to create unique arrangements. “Some had more yellow or blush or purple, but they all went together,” she explains.

Photo by John Cain Photography

This West Texas Wedding Made Country Chic

By Sarah Bennett

Catherine Nelson & Lee Conoly

April 6, 2024

Coworkers Catherine Nelson and Lee Conoly quickly developed a friendship that grew into more. The West Texas pair—who would often trek to Fort Worth to scoot boots at a concert—dated long-distance for a year and a half before reuniting in Catherine’s hometown of Midland. One afternoon, Catherine was taking meetings at the family ranch in Brownwood when Lee convinced her to come back to Midland for a doctor’s appointment. “He wanted to propose at the house we would live in once we got married,” she says. There, she found red roses and a sweet note. When it came to planning, she knew the family ranch was just the ticket. “I wanted it country, but not too country,” she explains. “There’s so much beauty out on the ranch.”

 

Boot Scootin’ Bougie

When designing her invitation suite, Catherine drew on shades of blue and green to echo the natural beauty that would inspire the whole event. But the rehearsal dinner invitation got a pop of whimsy in the shape of a boot. “We really just wanted something fun and different,” she says.

 

Sit a Spell

Catherine wanted “little pockets” of seating where people could take a rest if they didn’t feel like tearing up the dance floor. “It’s a space for conversation, as well—it’s a long night!”

 

A-tisket, A-tasket

The couple’s nieces served as flower girls, with the youngest ones hitching a ride in a rattan wagon, which was pulled by the couple’s nephews.

Credits

  • Ceremony/Reception Site

    Longspar Ranch

  • Photographer

    John Cain Photography

  • Bridal Gown Designer

    Caroline Castigliano

  • Bridal Gown Retailer

    Stanley Korshak Bridal

  • Hair & Makeup

    Maitee Miles

  • Groom’s Attire

    Vera Wang

  • Bridesmaids' Dresses Designer

    LulaKate

  • Bridesmaids' Dresses Retailer

    Bella Bridesmaids

  • Groomsmen's Attire

    Men's Wearhouse

  • Flower Girl Dress Designer

    Strasburg Children

  • Flowers

    Bows and Arrows

  • Stationary

    Papellerie

  • Cake

    Creme de la Creme Cake Company

  • Catering

    Don Strange (San Antonio, Texas)

  • Music

    Downtown Band

  • Lighting

    360 AV Design

  • Videographer

    31 Films (Magnolia, Texas)

  • Wedding Rentals

    Eclectic Hive (Denver, Colorado); Sandone Productions; Party! Dallas

  • Wedding Planner

    Laura Childress, Cinergy Works (Houston, Texas)

  • Wedding Designer

    Alicia Rico, Bows and Arrows; Brittany Farrow, Eclectic Hive; Laura Childress, Cinergy Works

  • Additional Vendors

    Mustache the Band (welcome party entertainment); Pyro Shows of Texas (fireworks)

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