Main Squeeze: Lemon trees punctuated the reception space, adding a fresh garden-party feel.

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Just the Two of Us: Before dinner, Preston and Matthew had a second to themselves to watch from afar as their guests mingled. Recalling that moment, Preston says, “We both felt really loved.”

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Family Ties: Matthew (left) and Preston said their I do's at The Argyle in San Antonio as a way of honoring Matthew's late father, John, who served as president of The Argyle following his retirement.

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Home Style: The blue-and-white scheme was reflective of the couple’s at-home aesthetic. “If you went to their house, this is like an extension of the way they live,” says wedding planner Julian Leaver of Julian Leaver Events.

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Love in Bloom: Preston, an interior designer, shared with Julian a vision of soft blues and whites with a masculine touch. In lieu of traditional florals, Julian prioritized blooming branches to accentuate the essence of the venue.

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Inner Beauty: This classic cake with a blue ribbon detail gave no hints as to the colorful surprise inside. Julian wanted to incorporate the couple’s love story through small but meaningful moments, like this and the getaway car’s ribbons.

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Ride with Pride: After departing the wedding in a classic convertible that was draped with rainbow ribbons, the newlyweds snuck away briefly for a “mini-moon” in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, before jetting off to Italy for their official honeymoon.

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Stamp of Approval: The invitation suite, created by MF Creative Designs, beautifully echoed the wedding’s classic color palette.

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Turning the Page: Preston, an interior designer by trade, was passionate about the aesthetics of the wedding. He worked to incorporate residential touches, including a coffee-table book that served as a guest book—and which is now displayed in their home.

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

Cue the Veuve: Preston and his party kicked off the wedding-day celebrations with bubbles and big smiles.

Photo by James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

This Couple Brought Dallas Style to a San Antonio Venue Close to Their Hearts

By Kataeya Sharp

Preston Harmon & Matthew McLaughlin

March 25, 2023

Preston Harmon and Matthew McLaughlin’s love story was written all across Texas. The pair dated long-distance for three years as they zig-zagged between cities, eventually getting engaged at the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris, France. Despite settling down in Dallas, the couple chose a wedding venue in San Antonio for an especially poignant reason: Matthew’s late father, John, had been involved with The Argyle’s work to support the Texas Biomedical Research Institute. This honorary gesture set the tone for an evening that was similarly full of love—both the grooms’ for each other and that of their family and friends who were on hand to celebrate their union. “Everyone there came for a reason,” shares Preston. “They really loved and wanted to support us.”

 

Main Squeeze

Lemon trees punctuated the reception space, adding a fresh garden-party feel.

 

Stamp of Approval

The invitation suite, created by MF Creative Designs, beautifully echoed the wedding’s classic color palette.

 

Just the Two of Us

Before dinner, Preston and Matthew had a second to themselves to watch from afar as their guests mingled. Recalling that moment, Preston says, “We both felt really loved.”

 

Guests

230

First Dance

“When You’re Smiling” by Michael Bublé

Specialty Cocktails

Grey Goose cosmo, Grey Goose martini (called the “Tuxtini,” for their dog), and “John’s Manhattan,” for Matthew’s late father

Credits

  • Ceremony/Reception Site

    The Argyle (San Antonio, Texas)

  • Photographer

    James & Jess (Santa Barbara, California)

  • Grooms' Attire

    Harper + Jones Custom Menswear

  • Hair

    Bess Zowarka (San Antonio, Texas)

  • Groomsmaids' Dresses Designer/Retailer

    Various

  • Groomsmen's Attire

    Various

  • Flower Girl Dress Designer/Retailer

    Pepa London

  • Flowers

    Jackson Durham Events

  • Stationary

    MF Creative Designs

  • Cake

    Cakes by Cathy Young (San Antonio, Texas)

  • Catering

    The Argyle

  • Music

    Simply Irresistible Band (Atlanta, Georgia); EastCoast Entertainment; Sturchio Events & Entertainment (San Antonio, Texas)

  • Lighting

    Jacob Co Creative

  • Transportation

    Catch Transportation

  • Getaway Car

    Comal Classics (New Braunfels, Texas)

  • Wedding Rentals

    Bright Event Rentals (Austin, Texas); Nuage Designs

  • Wedding Planner/Designer

    Julian Leaver Events

  • Additional Vendors

    Harper + Jones Custom Menswear (groomsmen’s bow ties); Nicola Bathie Jewelry (groomsmaids’ earrings and groomsmen’s cufflinks)

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