After nearly a year of being legally wed – a joyous occasion marked by a swift courthouse ceremony and our shared impatience to officially embark on this journey – the day of our “real wedding” arrived, just over a month ago. Our October 11th brunch wedding, held at the picturesque White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX, surrounded by cherished friends, loving family, and our wonderful new extended family, was an absolute dream come true. While it might sound a little cliché, there’s no other way to perfectly encapsulate the feeling of your wedding day than to say, “I truly felt like a princess.”
Our bespoke brunch fairytale unfolded with a charming string quartet setting the mood, antique creamers repurposed as elegant holders for fragrant coffee beans, and guests cheerfully mingling with mimosas in hand. A personal highlight for me was having my very own gluten-free, paleo-friendly meal and a special wedding cake, meticulously crafted to accommodate my dietary needs and my successful reintroduction of eggs following the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP). Before diving into the delightful culinary aspects of the day, I’m thrilled to share some more of the intricate details that brought our vision to life.
Crafting Our Vision: The Wedding Details
Capturing Every Moment: Our Talented Photographer
First and foremost, immense gratitude goes to our absolutely incredible photographer, Jillian Hogan. If you find yourself in the Dallas area and are in search of a photographer who will capture the essence of your special day with unparalleled artistry and professionalism, do yourself an enormous favor and explore her work. Jillian effortlessly documented every laugh, tear, and tender moment, leaving us with a collection of images that perfectly tell the story of our love and the joy of our wedding day. Her keen eye for detail and ability to make everyone feel at ease truly shone through in every photograph, making her an indispensable part of our wedding team.
The Perfect Gown: My Alvina Valenta Mermaid Dress
My wedding dress, a stunning creation by Alvina Valenta, was actually the third gown I tried on – a testament to how quickly I fell in love with its simple yet elegant beauty. I had always envisioned myself in a mermaid-style dress, and this particular design fulfilled every expectation. Its silhouette gracefully accentuated the figure, flowing into a subtle flare that was both sophisticated and comfortable for our brunch celebration. The delicate lace and intricate detailing were timeless, making me feel utterly radiant and perfectly suited for the lakeside setting. Finding “the one” was an emotional experience, and this Alvina Valenta gown truly embodied the refined simplicity I desired for our autumn wedding.
Unique Touches: Custom Accessories by Deborah Moreland
To complement my gown, my accessories were custom painted in a delicate yellow hue by the incredibly talented Deborah Moreland. I acquired my dress at Stardust Celebrations in Plano, TX, where Deborah hosted a trunk show. This unique experience allowed me to work directly with her, reviewing sketches and color palettes as she demonstrated how she could customize my veil, earrings, and hairpins. It was such a fun and collaborative process, adding a truly personal and distinct touch to my bridal look. The bespoke veil, in particular, was a showstopper, perfectly framing my face and adding a whimsical elegance that I absolutely adored. The coordinated yellow accents tied the entire bridal ensemble together, creating a harmonious and memorable aesthetic that was uniquely mine.
A Dapper Groom: Daniel’s Elegant Attire
My wonderful husband, Daniel, looked incredibly handsome in a classic black tux, perfectly complemented by a sophisticated grey tie. His choice of attire exuded timeless elegance, creating a striking contrast and harmony with my own bridal look. Standing beside him, I felt an overwhelming sense of love and pride. His smile lit up the entire venue, and he truly embodied the essence of a dashing groom, making our wedding photos even more special with his presence.
Breathtaking Blooms & Bespoke Decor: A Family Affair
While Lizze B’s Flower Shoppe handled our beautiful floral arrangements, the majority of the wedding decor was an extraordinary labor of love, executed entirely by my unbelievably creative in-laws. Yes, both my mother-in-law and my father-in-law possess an incredible talent for design and execution, transforming our venue into a truly enchanting space. Their dedication and artistic flair were evident in every thoughtful detail, from the arrangement of the tables to the subtle ambient lighting.
They even took the time to design custom newspapers, a truly unique and sentimental touch. These bespoke newspapers featured charming photos of Daniel and me as children, alongside engaging articles and even a personalized crossword puzzle. Such thoughtful and personalized details truly elevated the entire ambiance of the wedding, making it feel incredibly intimate and reflective of our personalities. It was a beautiful demonstration of their love and support, and every guest commented on these charming keepsakes, marveling at the effort and creativity involved. These small, intricate elements are what made our celebration truly unforgettable.
A Feast for All: Navigating Dietary Needs with Joy
Now, let’s talk about the food! A brunch theme offered the perfect opportunity for a relaxed yet elegant dining experience. I carefully selected an excellent caterer who specialized in brunch offerings, ensuring a delightful spread for all our guests. A significant personal goal for the day was successfully reintroducing whole chicken eggs into my diet. Having followed the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) for an extended period and managing various other food intolerances, meticulous planning was essential. To ensure my well-being and prevent any adverse reactions on such an important day, I took the proactive step of bringing a cooler filled with my own pre-wedding food. Some might call it being overly cautious, but I was absolutely determined not to feel unwell on my wedding day. This careful preparation allowed me to fully enjoy the celebrations without any worry.
Mindful Eating: My AIP-Friendly Brunch Plate
My own plate was a picture of health and deliciousness, featuring fresh fruit, perfectly prepared eggs (a triumphant AIP reintroduction!), and a comforting cup of coffee. It was absolutely perfect – satisfying, nourishing, and completely aligned with my dietary needs. This careful approach meant I could savor every moment, knowing that my meal was both safe and delicious, reflecting the mindful lifestyle I embrace daily.
The Star of the Show: Our Paleo Crepe Wedding Cake
The brunch theme provided the ultimate canvas to feature my favorite kind of cake: a crepe cake. Layers upon delicate layers of light, fluffy crepes, stacked high and elegantly, promised to be the exquisite finishing touch for our brunch wedding. The only challenge was that, given my dietary restrictions, I couldn’t partake in the main, traditional crepe cake offered to our guests. I wanted to maintain the “wow” factor of a professionally crafted cake for everyone else, but I also needed a small, dedicated gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo option for myself. This necessity sparked the creation of my very own paleo wedding cake, meticulously fashioned from paleo crepes.
I had experimented with paleo crepes made from plantains before, but for a wedding cake, their texture proved a bit too dense. My quest for the perfect, light crepe led me to a fantastic recipe from Empowered Sustenance for paleo crepes, which served as the foundational inspiration. These crepes were simply perfect – incredibly thin yet remarkably stable, mirroring the desirable qualities of conventional crepes. I made only slight modifications to the recipe, incorporating premium ingredients like Tin Star Foods Ghee (which I highly recommend for its exceptional quality) and a touch more non-dairy milk. The real magic happened with the creation of a luscious blueberry sauce, which I layered between each crepe. The resulting cake was not just delicious; it was a triumph of flavor and texture, proving that dietary needs don’t mean compromising on celebration or taste. It was truly a delightful and satisfying creation.
My Paleo Wedding Cake: Paleo Crepe Cake
Michelle
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Ingredients
For the cake:
- Crepe recipe x 4
For the sauce:
- 1 ½ cup of blueberries
- 3 tsp maple syrup or honey
- 1 tsp ghee
- 1 tsp non-dairy milk
Instructions
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(TIP: To manage the batter for a larger cake, consider dividing it in half and cooking it in two separate batches.)
FOR THE CAKE:
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Prepare crepes according to the linked recipe and set them aside to cool completely.
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Once your blueberry sauce is prepared and has cooled, carefully spread an even layer of sauce between each crepe. Stack the crepes one by one, ensuring each layer is flat and stable.
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Finish the top of the cake with a generous spread of the remaining sauce and an extra scattering of fresh blueberries for garnish.
FOR THE SAUCE:
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Combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan and heat over low-medium heat for approximately 5-8 minutes, or until the blueberries begin to soften and pop.
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Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool down.
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Use an immersion blender to achieve a smooth consistency for the sauce.
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Taste the sauce and adjust the sweetness by adding more maple syrup or honey, according to your preference.
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We were delighted to share pieces of my paleo wedding cake with a few other gluten-free guests at the wedding, though I confess, I easily could have devoured the entire creation myself! Despite its modest size compared to the larger, gluten-filled cake provided for the rest of our guests, I honestly didn’t mind. The profound satisfaction of being able to enjoy a delectable wedding cake without compromising my well-being or dietary principles was immeasurable. It was not just a dessert; it was a symbol of careful planning and the joy of inclusivity, ensuring that everyone, including myself, could partake in the sweetness of our special day. The fact that it tasted absolutely divine was the icing on the… crepe cake!
Cherished Memories & Future Adventures
Thank you for allowing me to share these intimate details of our wedding day, dear friends! It was, without a doubt, a dream come true from start to finish. Every element, from the stunning setting at White Rock Lake to the thoughtful contributions of our family and friends, woven together to create a tapestry of unforgettable moments. We are truly blessed, and our hearts are overflowing with gratitude for the incredible community that surrounds us, for our loving families, and, most profoundly, for the gift of each other. This day marked not just the beginning of our official married life, but also a beautiful celebration of love, health, and togetherness, laying a joyful foundation for all our future adventures as husband and wife.
With much love and gratitude,
The Hoovers <3