If there’s one thing John and Marlee Angle do well, it’s celebrate. The business school sweethearts met at Southern Methodist University and became close friends while studying abroad in London.
“We both wanted to take a day trip to Stonehenge, but no one else on the program wanted to join,” recalls Marlee. “The rest is history. We hit it off.”
They certainly did. In August 2017, on a food-and-wine trip to Spain — their favorite country — John popped the question, and the couple’s been celebrating ever since.
On July 21, 2018, the fun hit fever pitch with a weekend-long wedding celebration designed to give out-of-town family and friends a taste of all that Dallas has to offer.
“Neither of our families are from Dallas,” says Marlee. “But this has been our home since we came to SMU, so we knew we wanted to showcase the city to our guests.”
They toured several venues in search of a “classic but modern” ceremony and reception location — and when they visited Hotel Crescent Court, they knew they’d found their spot.
With the biggest decision out of the way, the Angles handed the reins to event planner Elizabeth Fenton.
Creativity and design isn’t their forte, says Marlee — they’re both CPAs, after all — but celebrating big is. So while Fenton focused on the nitty gritty of flower arrangements and place settings, the couple worked together on planning a weekend that would be as much fun for their guests as it was for them.
First things first, a manicure party for the bridesmaids, followed by a spin class for the whole wedding party. Friday night’s agenda called for a fabulous rehearsal dinner and welcome reception.
And Saturday — the big day — brought a traditional Jewish wedding officiated by the bride’s uncle, a rabbi, followed by a lively reception and an after-party at Knox Street Pub for those who weren’t quite ready to call it a night.
“I loved getting to share Jewish traditions with our friends, including the Hora,” says Marlee of the traditional Jewish chair dance. “This is my favorite part of any wedding.”
“The entire weekend was incredible,” adds John. “I loved that we stretched it from Friday morning spin all the way to Sunday morning send-off brunch.”
Venue: Hotel Crescent Court
Event planning: Luxe Little Love, Elizabeth Fenton
Florist: Bonney Blooms
Bridal gown: Morilee by Madeline Gardner
Bridal boutique: Terry Costa
Photographer: Jennifer Yarbro Photography
Videographer: Reel Simple Studios
Rentals: POSH Couture Rentals, Lawson Event Rentals, Quest Events
Lighting: Stage2 Lighting
Hair and makeup: L.B. Rosser
One of the bride's favorite things about the big day was that she was able to share Jewish traditions with friends, many of whom had never attended a Jewish wedding.
Natalie Boerder, Kaleta Blaffer-Johnson, Meredith Connally, Jennifer Cifuentes, Nathalie Barrera, Hayden Hrncir.Photo by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio
A quartet played Rodgers and Hammerstein tunes during dinner. Photo by Rob Wythe/Wythe Portrait Studio 