Janie and Jake’s love story is the stuff that rodeo dreams are made of. Janie (a WPRA barrel racer and reporter for the Cowboy Channel) met Jake (a professional Bronc rider) after roping one night in Amarillo. The two hit it off, and although Jake was living in Oklahoma, he kept coming back to Texas and the pair went on a real date. Dinner led to a drive to the canyon rim on her grandmother’s ranch, where they sat and talked for hours. It was at that same spot that he proposed. When it came time to picking a wedding venue, it was also the only spot that made sense.

The couple wanted to celebrate their love story and the ranch in every way. Tinged with western style and bright colors, it would still be elegant, welcoming, and fun. From the beginning, Janie and her mother wanted horseshoes incorporated. Not only because of their love of the animal, but because of the bride’s family tie to Binion’s Horseshoe Casino in Las Vegas. The color palette began with tones of teal, pink, and sage, and evolved to include fuchsia, mauve, and rust to blend with the colors of the canyon and the red dirt that West Texas is known for. Finally, a range of browns were folded in to honor Janie’s love of Ralph Lauren.

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The Wedding Day

Western Wedding

The Design Process

western Wedding

western Wedding | Invitation

Guests were invited with a custom painting of the canyon. Spade-like designs on the corners of the invitations were a bit of a wink to Vegas, while a metal buckle with silk ribbon tied the components together and paid homage to the couple’s rodeo roots.

Western Wedding | Ceremony

The celebration began with a ceremony in the canyon. The 100-foot aisle was lined in fresh flowers, which met in a circular area to anchor the setting. A rodeo announcer served as the officiant, while a guitarist and fiddle player played “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis, as the bride arrived on a stagecoach pulled by 6 black horses (that had belonged to her late grandmother).

western Wedding | Cocktail Hour

Once hitched, the true fun began. Cocktail hour was a Western paradise, with a large bar, a chuck wagon dubbed the “chuckuterie” station; it also honored the groom and groomsmen’s nickname of “chips and salsa” with those very items (plus, the always necessary guacamole). Plus custom popcorn bags, food stations set in large tee pees, and a one-of-a-kind seating display.

western Wedding | Seating Chart

Janie’s family history holds a special connection to Las Vegas as it was where her parents first met at her Grandfather Benney Binion’s casino. To honor this legacy, we brought to life the iconic million-dollar horseshoe, adorned with lush flowers. As a nod to Jake’s profession as a professional bronc rider, we replaced the hanging million dollars with metal buckles, which served as unique escort cards indicating each guest’s table number for the evening.

western Wedding | Tent Entrance

Once testing their luck and grabbing their seating assignment, guests moved towards a bronze frame tent, that felt like a permanent fixture, but was erected just for the occasion. They entered through a floral installation surrounding the door, topped with cow horns that formerly hung in Janie’s grandmother’s home (another nod to her grandmother who played such an important role in Janie’s life)

western Wedding | Reception Tables

I aimed to create colorful table settings that complemented Janie's love for brown tones. As a result, we opted for a variety of table styles and linens,, paired with a mix of black velvet chairs and wood cross-back chairs. Each place setting featured a copper-brown charger and a plate adorned with a subtle Western pattern.

The flowers, reminiscent of the canyon colors surrounding the tent at the ranch, showcased tones of pink, purple, orange, and yellow, adding a vibrant touch to the tables.

To enhance the Western look, we included turquoise blue napkins that added a pop of color and contributed to the overall aesthetic of the tablescape.

The entire space was a fresh take on Western, with bronze accents, a mix of patterns and materials, and a unique use of color.

western Wedding | Reception Western Bar

To make a statement at the bar inside the tent, I aimed to create a focal point that would serve as a main area for guests to gather and socialize. We had a custom neon sign crafted, inspired by one of the groom's rodeo photos, to add a personalized touch to the space. The bar was adorned with family memorabilia, including bronze statues won by Janie's father, colorful florals, family pictures, and even a set of chaps, creating a unique and engaging ambiance that reflected the couple's personal history and interests.

western Wedding | Family Memorabilia

The stage boasted a custom 4-foot horseshoe replicating the monogram first seen on the couple’s invitation, and on either side of the stage were wood walls with photos of the bride & groom’s family as well as different memorabilia from the ranch as well as each of their families.

western Wedding | Western Seating Area

Due to the size of the tent, I made it a priority to design a floor plan that facilitated a smooth flow and prevented guests from feeling overwhelmed upon entering. To achieve this, I divided the space and created a prominent western seating area positioned at the forefront of the tent. This standout feature included an impressive 8-foot-tall floral arrangement, a large leather sofa with western chairs and pillows, as well as a light blue western rug. The rug's color scheme was reminiscent of the colors in Janie's bedroom, a personal touch that she wished to incorporate into the event, adding a familiar and comfortable atmosphere to the space.

Photographer: Charla Storey Photography

Venue: Private Ranch

Planner & Designer: Shannon Rose Events

Flowers: Wedfully Yours

Rentals: Party Dallas

Tent: Sandone Productions

Tee Pee: Under the Sky

Linen Rentals: BBJ Linen & Nuage Designs

Hair & Makeup: Pure Beauty

Catering: Two Knives Catering

Cake: The Cake Company

Band: Ray Johnston Band

Paper: Hazelwood Paper Co