Big Bend National Park is probably my favorite place to be outside. The contrasts of the Chihuahuan Desert is continually impressive to me. Luckily, my dear friends also share this love for the park and I was fortunate enough to design and construct the florals for their wedding. In October, we explored possible ceremony sites along easily-accessible trails so family and friends of all abilities could attend.

We decided on the open space below the pour-off of Burro Mesa. The walls rise from the desert wash some 60 plus feet into the air, creating a natural, 3-sided room. Even in late April, this area can get quite hot, but we lucked out with overcast skies and even intermittent sprinkles. Because of National Park Service regulations, you can not have organic plant material on the trail. This created a challenge in designing the body wear for the grooms and party. I instead made boutonnieres and bouquets out of paper and copper wire, playing off of the colors of the desert.

I was honored when my friends, Matt and Scott, asked me to create arrangements for their wedding day. This was the largest event I had done and the venue was expansive. West of Austin is Star Hill Ranch, a replica Old West town complete with a chapel, schoolhouse, barn, dance hall, saloon, and Sears, Roebuck & Co. homes.

I dragged my mother, a former florist and shop owner herself, along for the ride. I look to her for direction. We transported most of the florals and supplies from Dallas to Austin. Two hotels, a few flower runs, and many hours later, it all came together just in time. And not without the help of my good friend, photographer, and florist, Elizabeth Thacker, who came through in the clutch.

Desert Wedding

Ranch Wedding