It's a modern-day fairy tale: Boy meets girl (online). Boy and girl fall in love, travel the world, and get married. For Dallas' Monica Kitt and Patrick Bernardy, who were married on June 10, 2017, the fairy tale really did come true.
After connecting online in January 2016, the couple set up a date at Meddlesome Moth, post-haste. Though they thought the drinks were lacking, "we got a lot of laughs out of it" as Monica remembers — sparks flew.
Monica spent the next few weeks in and out of town, but Patrick never strayed from her mind. The pair spoke daily, and after Patrick flew to meet her for an impromptu Valentine's Day date, Monica knew something special was brewing.
"A month later we were thick as thieves, and he was already booking vacations for us that December," says Monica. "We're big travelers."
As they say, when you know — you know. By September 2016, Patrick had secured permission to ask for Monica's hand and hatched an elaborate plan involving a tarmac proposal at Addison Airport followed by a helicopter tour of downtown Dallas.
While the details were all a happy surprise, Monica knew the big question was coming. She works in the fine mineral and gemstone industry and had helped design her custom engagement ring, which was created with a family stone.
Her eye for detail came in equally handy when it came time to plan the wedding. While jewel-tone arrangements featuring natural crystal accents with selenite, quartz, and agate nodded to her profession, Taylor Pace Orchestra kept the dance floor full, setting the celebratory tone of the evening. (And sore feet were no excuse. “Rescue flats" were provided for the ladies.)
The couple’s shared passion for travel inspired details of the reception, including the location itself — Union Station in downtown Dallas. A suitcase-shaped groom's cake was decorated with fondant stickers representing the different countries they’d visited.
And there was no shortage of food. Guests chowed on snacks from a pizza truck, late-night chicken and waffles, and cheeseburger sliders courtesy of Wolfgang Puck Catering.
Decked to the nines, the Union Station locale was every bit the impressive backdrop, but it's the fun and laughter the couple remembers most. Friends officiated the ceremony, which was full of personal touches, and a moment was even set aside to sing "Happy Birthday" to two guests.
And to close out the night? A confetti cannon, of course, followed by a golf-cart sendoff for the newly minted Mr. and Mrs.
Ceremony and Reception:Union Station
Reception Band:Taylor Pace Orchestra
Ceremony Music:Jim Higgins String Quartet
Cakes:Dallas Affaires Cake Co.
Floral Design and Linens:Three Branches Floral
Hair:Osgood O’Neil
Photographer:Gary Donihoo, f8studio
Videographer:JA Visions
Pizza Truck:For the Love of Pizza
Draping: Quest Events
Lighting:Stage 2 Lighting
Rentals and Chairs: Bella Accento
Linens:BBJ Linens
Dance Floor:DFW Dance Floors
Golf Cart: Grapevine Golf Cars
Planning: Fabulous Fête
Photo Booth:My Event is the Bomb
Ceremony Sound System: Simply Music
Stage Facade:Perch Decor
Confetti Canon:Beyond
The groom's cake was inspired by the couple's mutual love of travel.
Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry