Elise Wade and Hunter Southerland
the venue. The Crescent Hotel
the photos. Maci Berry Photography
Fort Worth Chic
The reception blended black-tie sophistication with western flair, featuring neutral earth tones, gold and silver accents, and guests in gowns, suits, and cowboy hats. “The guests brought elegance with the ladies in black midi to floor-length gowns and the gentlemen in black suits, many of whom wore black cowboy hats and boots, bringing the cowboy flair,” she said.
PawPaw’s Blessing
The bride’s grandfather, Reverend Kenneth Wade, lovingly known as “PawPaw,” officiated the ceremony, continuing his 60-year tradition for family and friends. “As my PawPaw pronounced us man and wife, we locked ring fingers and sealed forever with a kiss just as we have done many times before,” she said.
The Love Story
Hunter and I had a chance meeting through a mutual friend the night before New Year’s Eve at the Cadillac Cantina in the Stockyards and exchanged numbers, saying we would both be back the next night. After ringing in the new year, we bumped into each other again and spent the next few hours getting to know each other before parting ways. Fast forward to a Winslow’s Happy Hour two days later, I invited Hunter on a whim, trying to encourage a friend to “shoot her shot” with a boy and telling her, “See, if he shows, it’s cool; if not, whatever!” Well… Hunter showed up, and this is why we say “We Love Tuesdays,” and it has been our chosen date night ever since. Our first official date was that Friday, just one week from meeting. From the day we met, we haven’t spent more than 4 days apart. We both grew up extremely competitive in our respective fields. Hunter went on to play D1 baseball through college and is now heavily involved in overseeing the business his dad founded in the 1980s. I grew up competing in horse shows and rodeos, which led me to my career now working as On-Air Talent for The Cowboy Channel.
The Proposal
After we began looking at houses and talking about the future, it was easy to see our future would take us to Hunter’s family ranch. Rather than “waiting for someday,” we decided it was the perfect time to begin our future by building our forever home right there in Poolville. Before construction was to begin, Hunter proposed right in the middle of what would someday become our living room, saying, “We are starting our future where we are starting our future,” on July 14, 2024, after attending church with family. Early in the relationship, we often said to each other “2023 and beyond” while, instead of a “pinky promise,” would lock ring fingers sealed with a kiss, and we kept that promise even to our first kiss as a married couple, promising forever.
The Wedding Venue
Remember the “We Love Tuesdays” and that being our chosen date night? Many of those date nights took us to our favorite place, The Crescent Fort Worth, with a cheers of a martini and tequila old fashioned. We looked at several venues, but nothing spoke to us. One night, Hunter looked at me and said, “You know, wouldn’t it be cool to get married in the place we like to spend the most time? Someday it would be nice to have a drink at the bar and think about how that was the place we got married.” The next day, I booked an appointment to take a tour, and that was it; we knew it was perfect.
The Vibe
We went for an elegant black-tie affair with a warm western touch. Neutral earth tones and accents of gold and silver in a few details. The guests brought elegance with the ladies in black midi to floor-length gowns and the gentlemen in black suits, many of whom wore black cowboy hats and boots, bringing the cowboy flair.
The Photography
My photographer was chosen not only for her incredible talent and creativity but also for being a dear friend. I wanted to be surrounded by family that day, and I kept that even down to vendors like Maci Berry Photography.
I wanted the ceremony and family portraits to be bright, fresh, and new, but I asked for the couple photos to be moody and fun, meeting elegance right into the lively reception.
The Dress
I had limited options given the timeline for dresses. I knew I wanted a dress that was more fitted throughout the body; I thought I wanted sleeves, but other than that, I kept an open mind, knowing I could put something on and fall in love with a different style.
From the get-go, I knew Iconic Bride in Dallas was the place for me. The entire team at Iconic Bride made me truly feel special, and it was all hands on deck to find a dress that could be ordered and altered in the short period of time we had. In true “Hunter and E” fashion, I found my wedding dress on a Tuesday.
My dress came in sheer with elegant stone embellishments that I felt looked like snowflakes, perfect for a winter wedding. My dress also came with long lace gloves matching the lace accents on the veil and dress, giving the illusion of a sleeve for the ceremony.
The Accessories
I wore my mother’s earrings on the day of the wedding as my only accessory; they were simple square diamond earrings. I wanted the dress and my ring to be the moment. However, for the welcome party, I wore the earrings that my mother, sister, aunt, and grandmother all were married in. Those are the earrings shown in my details photos.
The Wedding Party
No bridesmaids or groomsmen, only photos with very dear friends.
The Wedding Rings
Our rings were from Intergem Dallas.
The Hair and Makeup
I wanted a brown smoky eye with a touch of shimmer and bronzed shimmery body. My hair was a cross between Hollywood and glam curls with the curls going away from the face. Keeping to the theme of being surrounded by family, my makeup was done by my childhood dear friend AirBrush by Avery, and my hair was done by my best friend, KasLuxe Beauty.
The Stationery
Black and white script. Simple and elegant.
The Florals
I wanted neutral, warm earth tones, a touch of pink with greenery. I asked TCU Florist to put together what they thought would be beautiful in the space without breaking the bank and would tie in winter and timelessness. My florals included baby’s breath, white hydrangeas, quicksand roses, dusty miller, and assorted greenery.
The Morning Of
My morning began waking up with my two best friends who stayed the night with me, then a workout in the Canyon Ranch gym, just me, for some quiet time before the day began. Hunter’s day started with a workout at Absolute Recomp here in Fort Worth with some of his best friends, followed by lunch, before they returned to the hotel to get ready for the wedding. I only learned after the wedding that Hunter took some time to spend with my dad alone for a few special moments of soon-to-be father-in-law and son-in-law time. After my workout, I got to my room to find Avery and Kodi setting up the hair and makeup areas, and my other best friend Katie getting breakfast and the snack area ready to go. As friends and family started to gather in the bridal suite, I went downstairs to spend a few minutes in the reception space with Jazz Whitney Events, another dear friend who was making that space magical. The day was perfect in every way and filled with family, friends, and a lot of love.
The Ceremony
Our ceremony was at The Crescent under a tent covered in lights and drapery from DFW Drape and Lighting. My grandfather, Reverend Kenneth Wade, also known as “PawPaw,” officiated the ceremony just as he has done for the last 60 years for friends and family.
As my PawPaw pronounced us man and wife, we locked ring fingers and sealed forever with a kiss just as we have done many times before.
The Reception
We wanted the night to be loud, lively, and fun, and that is exactly what Havoc Entertainment brought to the table. We began the night with our first dance, dancing on clouds to “Soulmate” by Josh Turner, which we have danced many nights in the kitchen to. From a little girl, I always dreamed that would be my first dance song. Hunter and I early on would dance silently in the kitchen just humming; one night I played that song, and the smile he gave me listening to it, I knew it was right. Hunter danced with his beautiful momma to “Mother” by Sugarland, and my father-daughter dance was to “Not While I’m Around” from Sweeney Todd, which my father recorded himself singing just as he had sung to me as a baby.
From there, we danced the night away, played with CO2 guns our DJ brought, and had the time of our lives on the dance floor with our friends and family.
Just moments before our exit, we shared a private moment with my PawPaw and our moms for a prayer and to light a unity candle to symbolize uniting our families. After the prayer and candle lighting, we shared our private last dance to “Come Home to You” by Ian Munsick.
We then made our exit through friends and family, taking The Crescent’s private vehicle as our getaway car.
The Planning
We booked our venue at the end of October 2024, giving us roughly 3 months to bring it all together. Myself, Hunter, and our families really came together to make it magical. Later in the process is when Jazz Whitney Events came in to help with the details and day-of organization of the day. We also hired a day-of coordinator who also played a role in managing the timeline of the day.
The Crescent staff were always just a phone call away to answer our questions and offer guidance.
The Cake
The cake was made by my dear friend Samantha McNellie.
The Food
Catered by The Crescent.
The Entertainment
Havoc Entertainment, Andrew Cosby.
The Favorite Moment
My favorite moment was all of the little moments that felt the most special.
The Unexpected
The most unexpected to me, and what I have told quite a few people, I had the most “FOMO” (fear of missing out) at the reception. All of my favorite people were in one room having the time of their lives just as I was, and I wanted to be with everyone the best I could. Hunter and I took the time to go and talk to each table as dinner was being served, and for that, I am thankful.
The Honeymoon
We took our honeymoon following Hunter’s 30th birthday to the Four Seasons, Whistler, Canada. We had a winter wonderland honeymoon, spending time on the mountain and in the spa.
The Advice
Appreciate and hold onto the little things, the special moments, because at the end of the day, no matter what went “wrong” or “differently” than planned, you get to marry your best friend, and that’s what the day is about. Weddings, like people, are perfectly imperfect, and I wouldn’t change a thing about ours.
The Vendors
FLORAL TCU Florist
VENUE, CATERING AND GUEST ACCOMMODATIONS The Crescent Hotel
PHOTOGRAPHY Maci Berry Photography
DAY-OF COORDINATION Jazz Whitney Events
VIDEOGRAPHY Mason Wright
RENTALS DFW Drape and Lighting
HAIR Kasluxe Beauty
MAKEUP Airbrush By Avery
ENTERTAINMENT Havoc Entertainment
BRIDAL SALON Iconic Bride Dallas
MENSWEAR Q Clothier
JEWELRY Intergem