I’m just going to let my Disney Freak flag fly a little bit here while I tell you about this practically perfect Disney inspired wedding. It all started when Ty proposed to Ashley near Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. Once they returned home and the logistics of wedding planning began, there were lots of discussions about when, where, who and how. They would have loved to have their nuptials at one of the Disney Resorts, but with family and friends concentrated in southeast Texas, they decided to bring Disney to Houston instead.

Ashley got to work devising a way to bring the magic of Disney to their modern wedding venue, The Grove, in the heart of downtown Houston. With some favorite Disney movies as inspiration, she began collecting unique pieces to arrange into centerpieces, including several Disney collectibles. She put in I don’t know how many hours finding just the right details and even making some of the pieces herself! All I can say is check out the rose on the Beauty and the Beast table which also had a Mrs. Potts, Chip and a light up Lumiere.

Amidst planning out their reception decorations, Ashley went in search of a dress and found her dream gown, an Alfred Angelo for Disney Weddings gown, on Tradesy. It had to be moderately altered, as it was a few sizes too large, but the seamstress did an amazing job and it fit her like a perfectly tailored glove. And despite the alteration costs, purchasing the dress the dress via Tradesy still saved her a few hundred dollars than buying it from a bridal shop! I also have to mention her blinged out aqua Betsey Johnson shoes which were GORGEOUS (I can’t hide my aqua love)!!!

Meanwhile, I can use two words to describe the guys getting ready experience. Bow ties. We arrived to their room to find them watching youtube tutorials with overwhelmed expressions on their faces. After a few failed attempts, one of the groomsmen reached hero status when he totally nailed his bow and started helping the rest of the guys get theirs looking spiffy.

Before the ceremony, we set Ty up on a small green next to the venue that was lined with manicured bushes that totally made me think of Alice in Wonderland. We cleared the area of family and wedding party and brought Ashley over so they could have a first look. This private moment for the couple is always so special. Sometimes getting ready for a wedding can get a couple’s nerves so worked up that just the act of seeing each other can provide a sense of relief and a renewed excitement to celebrate! But my favorite part is that the joy is always so genuine and carefree.

The ceremony was held on the Treehouse Deck, with a simple alter amid a treelined Discovery Green below, and the Houston cityscape looming in the background. There were some tears which abruptly turned to laughter when Ty attempted to steal a kiss when he put the ring on Ashley’s finger!

While the wedding party finished up group photos, guests wrote well wishes on Disney postcards and admired all the themed tables in The Grove’s Vista Room. The Beauty and the Beast table was probably my most favorite with The Little Mermaid table a close second, as it included a dinglehopper AND a snarfblatt! Other tables paid homage to Frozen, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Tangled. The head table had a Sleeping Beauty Castle at it’s center to commemorate the couple’s proposal spot! The cake was made by Ashley’s Sister-in-law and was topped off with replicas of Carl and Ellie’s chairs from the Disney Pixar movie Up and was cut to the tune of Lana Del Ray’s version of Once Upon a Dream!

Before we closed out the night, the bridesmaids, in their giddy exhaustion, asked if I could possibly do a “Bridesmaids” shot…before they sent their best friend and sister off with her new husband…to which the answer is always Yes!

Getting Ready Location / Hilton Americas – Houston
Ceremony and Reception Venue / The Grove
Catering / The Grove
Bridal Gown Designer / Alfred Angelo for Disney Fairy Tale Weddings
Bridal Gown Store / Tradesy
Bridal Shoes / Betsey Johnson
Bridesmaid Gowns Designer / White by Vera Wang
Bridesmaid Gowns Store / David’s Bridal
Centerpieces / DIY by Bride
Cake Designer / @thecakecutie
Bouquets / DIY by Bride
DJ / Complete Weddings + Events

Need more Disney magic? Check out Ashley and Ty’s Disney inspired engagement session!