On May 19, 2018, while the world was watching Meghan and Harry say I do, Taylor and Jeff James were preparing to tie the knot in a sparkling Dallas celebration fit for royalty.
The ceremony came eight years after the couple first met on a blind date at their sophomore homecoming at Highland Park High School.
The culmination of countless more homecomings, proms, formals, and a courtship while attending Baylor University, the event was designed to be a meaningful and joyful celebration of the couple — and everyone who had watched their story unfold.
“We wouldn’t be where we are today without the loving support of so many friends and family members, so we wanted them to love the wedding as much as we did,” says Taylor.
Following a proposal straight out of a rom-com — Jeff dropped to one knee at Williams Park, where his dad had proposed to his mom — the couple set out to plan a ceremony and reception at once “classic, timeless and joyful.”
They chose the James family church, Park Cities Baptist Church, for the ceremony and secured the classic backdrop of Dallas Country Club for their reception.
The morning of the wedding, the bride and her attendants rose early to watch the royal wedding in England. The groom and his groomsmen relaxed and got inspiration another way — by playing golf.
When it was time for the big event, nothing disappointed. From towering flower arrangements to custom lighting and cookie party favors, not a detail was missed. But it was the personal touches incorporated throughout that made the day most memorable for the bride and groom.
“We included various small things to remind ourselves of the importance of the day,” says Jeff. “My favorite of these little details was exchanging letters a few minutes before the ceremony began.”
To ensure the couple had a moment to breathe and enjoy each other’s company, Dallas Country Club arranged dinner in a quiet room for just the two of them.
Following a seated dinner, the party got started. Guests danced the night away to the stylings of The Project, taking breaks to snap photos in the popular photo booth.
Because Taylor and Jeff had thought of everything, burgers from Shake Shack were passed around when cravings for late-night munchies began to hit.
“We loved having all of our friends and family in one place,” says Taylor. "And we loved that at the end of the day we got to walk away married. Jeff and I dated for eight years, so we were happy to finally begin our marriage.”
Ceremony: Park Cities Baptist Church
Reception and Catering: Dallas Country Club
Cakes: Dallas Affaires Cake Co.
Invitations: Bell'INVITO Stationers
Calligraphy: Lana Prather
Photography: Caroline Jurgensen
Videography: Summer Films
Floral design: Junior at The Garden Gate
Bridal gown: Patti Flowers Design Studio
Bridesmaids' dresses: Watters
Groom and groomsmen's attire: Culwell & Son
Rentals: Lawson Event Rentals
Entertainment: The Project/Absolute Entertainment
Lighting and sound: Absolute Lighting
Dance floor: DFW Dance Floors
Photo booth: MirMir
Late-night food: Shake Shack
Party favors: Cookie Whipped
Transportation: Wynne Transportation
Taylor and Jeff James were married on May 19, 2018.
More than 300 people packed On The Levee.Photo by Kim Leeson and Nate Rehlander
THRIVE award recipients Janet Moll and Dave Ashworth.Photo by Kim Leeson and Nate Rehlander