Diana Lopez and Jared Morris first met as college freshmen, though they went to schools nearly seven hours apart. Diana attended the University of Texas at Arlington; Jared attended Eastern New Mexico University. But the pair met at an annual summer internship program in Arlington.
“We would talk during the summers, then go back to our respective colleges in the fall,” Diana says. “When we graduated and were both living in Dallas, we finally started to date in a real way.”
But a job transfer for Jared landed the couple in a long distance relationship, then both living in Minneapolis, and eventually Houston (where they live now).
In August 2015, Jared planned a joint birthday celebration for himself and Diana in Dallas, where their families live. Diana (and most of the guests) didn’t know the birthday celebration was a ruse for an engagement party.
“I knew it was rare to have a lot of family in town at the same time,” Jared says. “I surprised her at Lake Ray Hubbard at a cool spot with a dock and some fountains. After we got engaged privately, we surprised many of [the party guests] with the engagement.”
Jared and Diana wed on March 26, 2016, at the Nasher Sculpture Center. Jared wanted a modern, urban wedding. Diana wanted an outdoor wedding. The Nasher accomplished both goals.
Wendy Kay at Birds of a Feather Events helped the couple bring their unique vision to life with Art Deco invitations and cakes, and an agate stone backdrop and seating chart. Diana used her gold engagement ring and the Nasher’s lush greens as color inspiration, and accented with a rich plum in the flowers. Diana mirrored the delicacy of her Anna Campbell wedding gown for the aesthetic of the wedding.
After an indoor ceremony and outdoor cocktail hour, Mr. and Mrs. Morris danced to the Bee Gees’ “More Than a Woman.” A sit-down dinner of filet mignon, sea bass, cauliflower gratin, and veggies by Wolfgang Puck Catering allowed guests to fuel up dancing.
Emerald City Band, a band the couple had seen together many times, got all 120 guests on their feet by the end of the night.
The couple tried to make their day as unique and personalized as possible. “For any wedding traditions that were cookie-cutter, we tried to go in the other direction,” Jared says.
But that didn’t keep Jared from cherishing the most classic moment from his wedding day.
“Seeing Diana all happy and smiling during our first look — I’ll remember that moment forever,” he says. “It was the private moments we shared when no one else was looking that meant the most to me.”
Ceremony and Reception: Nasher Sculpture Center
Wedding Planner: Wendy Kay at Birds of a Feather Events
Floral: The Southern Table
Linens and Rentals: La Tavola Fine Linen Rental, Perch Event Decor, and Propmaker Luxury Event Rentals
Photography: Apryl Ann Photography
Video: Splendor Films
Invitations and Menus: Minted
Calligraphy: Harts & Quills
Bride’s Ceremony Dress and Alterations: Anna Campbell
Bride’s Ceremony Dress Retailer: Blue Bridal Boutique
Bride’s Reception Dress: BHLDN
Bride’s Veil: Britten
Bride’s Jewelry: BHLDN
Bride’s Shoes: SJP from Nordstrom
Bride’s Hair and Makeup: Rayven Walker at Beauty & the Blush Artistry
Bridesmaids Dresses: Badgley Mischka via Rent the Runway
Groom’s Suit: Menguin
Groomsmen’s Suit: Menguin
Reception Band: Emerald City Band
Catering: Wolfgang Puck Catering
Cake and Desserts: Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery
Ceremony Harpist: Laurel McConkey
Transportation: Blue Diamond Limo
Bride’s Engagement Ring: Cartier
Bride’s Wedding Band: Gems by Chao
Groom’s Wedding Band: Braverman Jewelry
A cocktail hour in between the ceremony and reception allowed the bride and groom a few private moments.
