Real Weddings

Tinder makes perfect match of Dallas bride and groom who love to have fun

It was a match made in Tinder heaven for Dallas' Abigail Adams and William Floyd. New to the Dallas area and looking for love, Adams downloaded the app as a sort of "social experiment."

"I thought it would be a good way to practice going on dates again without making a fool out of myself with someone I knew," says Adams. "William happened to be my third match."

Before long, the happy couple was vacationing in Barcelona, Spain, where Floyd studied abroad during college. There, Floyd dropped to one knee in front of the beautiful Parc del Laberint d'Horta.

A photographer hid just steps away, capturing the moment. And the couple spent the next 10 days celebrating their commitment before returning home to the craziness of wedding planning.

They returned home to a long list of planning to-dos and one more major surprise. Floyd had planned an engagement party for the weekend after their return — and even flew in some of Adams' best friends.

With the engagement properly fêted, Adams and Floyd got to work planning the February 3, 2018 nuptials.

While Adams knew she wanted a "big, fancy, and fun party," she didn't have a vision, per se, for the big day. So she enlisted the help of party planner extraordinaire Julian Leaver, who helped her hone in on a clear vision, including a navy and oxblood color scheme, personal touches at every turn, and fun surprises for family and friends.

"I'll be honest, I was never one of those girls who has had her wedding planned since seventh grade," says Adams. "The most important thing for me was to have a fun party for our closest family and friends. I wanted to create an intimate and special experience for our guests."

Highlights for the bride and groom — and their guests — included a performance by New York-based singer Natalie Williams, one of the bride's best friends, for the first dance, and Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits served up on silver platters to satiate late-night munchies.

The dance floor stayed packed. And to ensure she kept step, Adams changed into a pair of Adidas sneaks — the same pair she was wearing the day they got engaged — for the reception.

From impeccable place settings to a stunning display for table assignments and cocktail napkins featuring fun facts about the bride and groom, not a detail was overlooked.

"I loved that I was able to focus on what really mattered: being married to William," says Adams. "I wasn't worried about the weather or if the bridesmaids' dresses would all match. I loved that I was able to enjoy a really sweet memory with my husband and family. Going home with leftover carrot cake was also a big highlight."

Planner: Julian Leaver Events

Ceremony:Perkins Chapel

Reception:The Room on Main

Makeup: Scarlett DeMoss

Cake: Bird Baker y

Live Painter: Renata Sharman

Band: Uptown Drive

Floral: We + You

Photography and Videography: When It Clicks

Rentals:Top Tier and Quest Events

Transportation: Premier Transportation

One of the bride's must haves was a performance by her longtime friend, singer Natalie Williams, for the first dance.

Photo by When It Clicks

One of the bride's must haves was a performance by her longtime friend, singer Natalie Williams, for the first dance.

weddings

Hot to trot

Equest Dallas patrons pony up record $700K at blue ribbon-worthy ball

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

A sold-out crowd of 570 supporters stampeded into Gilley’s Dallas on April 25 for the 44th Annual Equest Blue Ribbon Gala. The Western-chic affair, always one of the most highly anticipated galas of spring, would have a record-breaking night.

Co-chairsKristin and James Hallam and honorary chairs The Sam and Helga Feldman Foundation and Natalie and David Taylor welcomed patrons decked out in cowboy boots and hats to Gilley's, which had been transformed into a shimmering celebration of all things Equest by event designer Steve Kemble. A “disco saddle” centerpiece even hung from the ceiling.

Emcee Calvert Collins-Bratton welcomed the crowed with a hearty "yee haw!" Equest founder Susan Schwartz presented the Founders Award to Carol Chamberlin, whose three decades of service as volunteer, donor, and barn manager have made her an Equest organization legend. The Citation Award went to Donna and Tim Weber and their daughter Katherine, an Equest client.

New CEO Eric Lindh took the stage to underscore Equest’s mission to provide equine-assisted learning, therapies, and counseling (much of it free of charge) to children, adults, and veterans. He shared the nonprofit's bold vision for the future, focusing on the number “22,” a call to action inspired by the 22 percent of Dallas County residents living with a disability, the 22 veterans lost to suicide daily in the U.S., and the 22 percent of Americans living with mental illness, while less than half of those receive treatment.

His pledge to expand services to first responders struck a chord with the crowd, as did the moving testimonials from Equest clients.

Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand urged the crowd to “Bid boldly. Bid big. Bid with heart,” and patrons did that in spades. Auctioneer Louis Murad encouraged bidders to raise paddles stridently, starting from initial $10,000 bids onward. Bidding got fast and furious live auction packages that included fabulous trips (with destinations such as France, Antigua, and Montana) and more. The most memorable moment came when a guest insisted Murad - ever the showman - auction off his own sparkling jacket. It fetched $2,000, a purchase by Tim Weber (who clearly loves a good statement piece).

In total, the gala raised $700,000, the largest fundraising amount in Equest’s 44-year history. The Blue Ribbon Ball's proceeds go directly to equine-assisted therapies and other services provided by Equest; for more information, visit the organization's website.

Photo by Tamytha Cameron

Honorary co-chairs David and Natalie Taylor, Auction chair Norma Jean Schaltenbrand, and Gala co-chairs Kristin and James Hallam

After a night of sipping, dining, and fundraising, patrons tried their luck at casino games and danced the night away to Jordan Kahn’s Manhattan Orchestra.

Spotted in the crowd, enjoying the evening, were Donna Weitzman, Nancy Greenbach, Natalie Taylor, Therese Rourk, Anne Seanor, Courtney Conley, Maggie Spiegel, Tyler Bridges, Lea LaFortune, Lee and Paul Michaels, Ryan and Kelly Casey, Christina Eubanks, Megan Pharis, Julie Bagley, Laura Johnson, Parker and Katy Brooks, Sharon Lee Clark, Max Clark, Jordan Glasgow, Anna Gresham, Khaki Christopher, Jessie Dornak, Jeff Netzer, Lynn McBee, Sarah and Trey Pederson, Luis Araujo, Amy Green, Kayten Elder, Sila Grogan, Melissa Placet, Tayler Reiter, Danny and Tanya Rice, Tina and Michael Beasom, and hundreds more patrons and supporters.