Galveston Ballroom Wedding

If you’re guilty of loving Project Runway like we are, you probably remember one of our favorite contestants and the winner of season 5, Leanne Marshall. She’s transitioned into making gorgeous bridal gowns, and we’re so happy to see today’s bride Katie shining in one of Leanne’s creations! Texas photographer Ryan Price was on hand to capture Katie and Chris’ ballroom wedding, full of handmade details from friends and family.

From the bride, Katie: The word that Chris and I came up with to mark our wedding day was “jovial”. We just wanted an environment in which our loved ones could truly celebrate. Ideally I would’ve loved to have an outdoor wedding, so a lot of the elements I chose had a very rustic, natural feel to them. I made the invitations, programs, and table signs out of kraft paper and muslin. I didn’t originally intend to have a lot of DIY projects, but I kept finding things online that I loved and decided I could save money by making them. My favorite DIY was something my brother helped me design. I wanted to bring natural wood into my centerpieces, and our good friends happened to have some fallen trees at their farm. They were generous enough to give us the wood. My brother cut them into varying heights, hollowed out a notch in the tops, and put a tea light in them. They were STUNNING!

Any advice for brides planning their weddings now? My favorite moments in planning our wedding were when Chris and I would dream about the day together. My advice to brides would be to enjoy those moments with your fiance as you prepare to become his wife.

From the photographer, Ryan: The thing I loved the most about this wedding was Katie + Chris’ heart behind everything. They really wanted a wedding that promoted marriage, family, and community. One thing that I thought was really awesome and pretty unique was the way they structured their wedding party. Rather than asking a few guys and a few girls to stand with them, they simply asked all of the friends that had an impact in their life to join them. There were married friends (standing side-by-side as husband + wife) mixed with single friends… all spread across the alter as a united front of support for them. All of their attire was mixed and matched in a really awesome vintage-ish style. Their ceremony was a very sacred occasion with lots of emotion, followed by a full-on celebration with a live band that brought down the house with motown music and other dance grooves! Most of the details were either handmade by friends or were family heirlooms (such as the table linens). All in all, I love this wedding because I could not imagine a more genuine couple that really made their wedding day reflect their values.

Wedding Music:
Family Processional: “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”
Bridal Party Processional: “Be Thou My Vision”
Bridal Processional: “Beautiful,” Phil Wickham
Recessional: “You and I,” Ingrid Michaelson
First Dance: “Sunday Kind of Love,” Etta James

Wedding Location: Galveston, TX / Photographer: Ryan Price / Wedding Coordination: Chandelier Productions / Wedding Venue and Caterer: Tremont House / Wedding Flowers: One Stop Party Shop / Wedding Dress: Leanne Marshall “Beatrice” / Hair: Beth Torina / Wedding Cake: Peace of Cakes / Pies: House of Pies / Table Linens: family heirlooms / Wooden Centerpieces: Bride’s brother / Wedding Music: Fried Ice Cream Band / Wedding Invitations and Paper Goods: Bride; monogram by Tracey King