When I met with Juli, I was captivated by her vision for an intimate, moody, modern, garden-inspired wedding with a touch of rustic charm. As I delved deeper into her ideas and learned more about her personality, I realized that her Hotel Drover wedding was going to be truly unique.

In my design approach, I aimed to create an ambiance reminiscent of a sophisticated downtown restaurant infused with western elements and a hint of organic allure.

Opting for a moody and romantic color palette, we selected sage greens, dark dusty navy grays, and black tones, complemented by colorful muted spring florals in shades of mellow yellows, soft purples, and delicate pinks. This combination of elements set the stage for a one-of-a-kind and unforgettable celebration that reflected Juli's individuality and style.

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The Wedding Day

Hotel Drover Wedding

The Design Process

Hotel Drover | Ceremony

Juli's ceremony was actually initially inspired by the landscaping at her house. it’s winding walkway adorned with florals, served as a profound inspiration for the ceremony design layout.

Drawing from this, I envisioned a unique approach to a “ceremony in the round” ceremony layout. Where we crafted an organic seating layout around the center alter, featuring winding rows of chairs that created a sense of being immersed in a garden setting. 

The pops of black added a touch of drama to complement the moody aesthetic, while the organic florals that cascaded down the aisle and adorned the altar epitomized the essence of a garden-inspired wedding. The result was a truly enchanting and memorable ceremony that captured the beauty of nature and showcased Juli's vision in a remarkable way.

The Hotel Drover | Welcome Wagon

Juli wanted to shake things up and give guests a fun welcome as soon as they stepped into the space. So, we came up with the idea of a welcome wagon jam-packed with champagne to greet guests right at the door!

And to add some extra fun, during the ceremony, guests got to join in a toast led by the Officiant when the couple was declared husband and wife. 

Hotel Drover Wedding | Seating Chart

Given that the wedding took place at Hotel Drover a hotel in the heart of the stockyards in Fort Worth, I was eager to create a one-of-a-kind western seating chart. We decided to go with a creative twist—a seating chart inspired by bolo ties.

The setup included metal escort cards and bolo ropes featuring the couple's name and table number to guide guests to their seats. It was a fun and unique way to tie in the western theme of the location!

Hotel Drover | Reception Tables

For the reception tables, I aimed to create a restaurant-like ambiance, reminiscent of a fine dining experience. As a result, we opted for a mix of banquet tables and individual tables adorned with lamps and organic flowers, creating a modern and intimate setting.

To complement this setup, we introduced restaurant-style menus. Each menu featured a unique design with a wood-textured portfolio that displayed the guest's name on the front. When guests flipped the menu over, they discovered the culinary delights offered at the event.

This personalized touch added an extra layer of sophistication and elegance to the dining experience, enhancing the overall atmosphere of the reception.

Hotel Drover | Seating Areas

Dealing with tall ceilings can be a challenge when trying to create an intimate atmosphere for a client at Hotel Drover.

I aimed to address this by designing something that would visually cozy up the space without resorting to standard tall centerpieces on tables.

Instead, we decided to craft a custom trellis over seating areas in the venue, adorned with lush greenery and hanging candles above. This unique approach added a touch of warmth and intimacy to the space, making it feel more inviting and special for the event.

Photographer: Rachel Elaine Photography

Venue: Hotel Drover

Planner & Designer: Shannon Rose Events

Flowers: Wedfully Yours

Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals Bella Acento

Linen Rentals: Nuage Designs BBJ Linens

Band: Rodeo Disco

Hair & Makeup: Stephanie Nelson

Paper: Hazelwood Paper Co

Check out Sarah & Nathan’s Stone Crest Venue Wedding HERE for more garden inspired weddings.