Customized Theme Weddings Give Today’s Bride A Wide Array Of Options By Deborah Welky
In today’s world, the traditional wedding receptions of yore have given way to celebrations that better reflect the desires of modern brides and grooms. As in bygone days, brides tend to know exactly how they want their big day to turn out. However, the options available today open the door to an incredible array of choices, leaving plenty of room for the imagination. This often shows itself in the rising popularity of themed weddings. Here we showcase a few unique wedding themes, taking a peek inside three very special ceremonies.
Western PHOTOS BY ORGANIC MOMENTS PHOTOGRAPHY & DESIGN
Dara and J.R. O’Connor may have grown up in Wellington, but their hearts are out west. J.R. first met Dara when she was waitressing at the country bar Renegades. Three years later, on a cruise to Jamaica, he proposed and, united by a love of all things western, the couple quickly chose a western theme for their wedding. But where to hold it? What would be the perfect backdrop for a ranch-style wedding. The answer: Yesteryear Village at the South Florida Fairgrounds! The 10-acre Yesteryear Village may best be known for its collection of historically accurate buildings, such as the original Loxahatchee Schoolhouse, period furnishings and visits by schoolchildren, but it has also been chosen as the perfect venue for hundreds of special events, including weddings, picnics, family reunions, birthday parties and even corporate outings. The weathered barn siding was a great backdrop for the couple’s wedding photos, and it didn’t hurt that an old tractor and wagon were also onsite. Far from being a hayseed hoedown, the O’Connors’ western wedding tastefully combined style and comfort. Forget top hats and tails. Instead, the groomsmen wore softly faded 40
october 2015 | wellington the magazine
blue jeans, long-sleeved black shirts, black vests and turquoise ties. Ivory ties distinguished the groom and his ringbearer. The bride and her two flower girls also wore ivory, but the bridesmaids wore turquoise lace dresses paired with brown leather cowgirl boots and simple sunflower bouquets. Sunflowers and three boots adorned the top of the wedding cake, a tribute to what was soon to be a family of three (bride, groom and ringbearer). Sunflowers also graced each table, together with two mason jars, a Jack Daniels bottle and one party favor per guest — a camouflage koozie printed with the couples’ name, wedding date and the sensible sentiment, “To have and to hold and to keep your beer cold.” The food was barbecued, the music was old-school country, and even the guests honored the theme with plenty of simple dresses, creased jeans and cowboy boots scootin’ across the aged barn floor. As the sun sank slowly to the west, Dara had to smile. “I’ve always liked country music and line dancing,” she said. “That’s just who both of us are,” she said. To learn more about Yesteryear Village weddings, call (561) 7904908 or e-mail parties@southfloridafair.com.