Katie & John: A Wedding Full of Intentional Love & Personal Touches
Some weddings are beautiful because of the flowers. Some because of the venue. But the weddings that really stay with you? Those are the ones where every single detail means something. Where you can feel the intention behind every choice. Where love isn't just celebrated—it's woven into every moment.
Katie and John's wedding was one of those days.
A Bride Who Wanted to Actually BE a Bride
From our very first conversation with Katie and John, one thing was crystal clear: they wanted a stress-free experience. Katie didn't want to spend her wedding day managing vendors, checking timelines, or worrying about logistics. She wanted to be a bride—present, joyful, and confident that everything around her was being handled.
That's exactly what we do at the Historic Dallas Jail. Our coordination isn't just a line item in a package—it's a promise. We're your team. We're on your side. And on your wedding day, you get to focus on what matters while we handle absolutely everything else.
And that's exactly what happened for Katie and John.
Getting Ready & Final Touches
Katie and her bridal party arrived at the venue that morning, transforming our bridal suite into their pre-wedding haven. Hair, makeup, laughter, champagne—all the classic getting-ready moments that make a wedding day feel special.
While they were upstairs preparing, we were downstairs putting the final touches on a reception space that was about to be absolutely stunning.
The Color Palette & Décor
Katie and John chose deep purples and greens for their wedding colors—rich, moody, and absolutely gorgeous against the exposed brick of the Jail.
Their centerpieces? Not your typical floral arrangements. Instead, they went with candles, books, and moss—a combination that felt organic, romantic, and perfectly suited to the historic vibe of the venue.
It was intimate. It was intentional. It was them.
A Stairwell First Look
Before the ceremony, Katie and John shared a private first look in our stairwell—one of those architectural details that makes the Historic Dallas Jail so special for photos.
The moment they saw each other? Pure magic.
They exchanged gifts, soaking in those few quiet minutes before the celebration began. It's one of our favorite traditions—giving couples a moment that's just theirs before the day gets swept up in the beautiful chaos of a wedding.
A Ceremony Surrounded by Love
75 friends and family members gathered to witness Katie and John say "I do," and it was one of the most beautiful ceremonies we've hosted.
Personal Vows & An Officiant Who Knew Them
Katie and John wrote their own vows—the kind that make you laugh, cry, and believe in love all over again. Their officiant knew them well and wove in personal stories, inside jokes, and sweet mentions that had everyone smiling (and tearing up).
It wasn't a cookie-cutter ceremony. It was their ceremony. Every word mattered.
The Book Arch John Built
And then there's the ceremony backdrop: a book arch that John built himself for Katie.
Yes, you read that right. John made an arch out of books for them to get married under. If that's not the most romantic, thoughtful, perfectly-them gesture, we don't know what is.
Books have clearly played a role in their relationship (hello, book centerpieces!), and having that reflected in their ceremony arch? Chef's kiss. Absolutely perfect.
Dinner with a Side of Love & Legacy
After the ceremony, it was time to celebrate—and the food did not disappoint.
Tin Kitchen catered a delicious taco bar that had guests going back for seconds (and thirds). But here's where the evening got even more meaningful.
Susie's Special Salsa
John's mother, Susie, passed away a few years ago. She was famous in their family for her homemade salsa—the kind everyone raved about, the kind you can't replicate unless you have the recipe.
Katie and John pulled out Susie's recipe and made Susie's Special Salsa for all their guests to enjoy.
It was such a beautiful way to honor her memory and include her in their celebration. You could feel her presence in that room, in every bite, in the love that surrounded this couple.
There wasn't a dry eye when they shared the story behind the salsa.
A Quilt, A Sweet Gear Table, and So Much Meaning
Behind their sweetheart table hung a quilt that Katie's mom made for the couple—a handmade labor of love that added warmth, color, and so much heart to the space.
Every corner of this wedding had a story. Every detail had meaning. Nothing was random or just for show. It was all deeply personal, and you could feel it.
The dessert table itself—affectionately called the "sweet gear table"—was a hit with guests, offering a variety of treats to fuel the dancing that was about to take over the night.
Dancing, Games, and Pure Joy
After dinner, the dance floor opened up, and Katie and John's 75 guests were ready to celebrate.
There was dancing. There were board games. There was laughter that echoed through the Jail's historic walls.
But more than anything, there was joy. The kind of joy that comes from being surrounded by people who genuinely love you and are thrilled to celebrate this next chapter of your life.
Katie got to be a bride. John got to be a groom. And both of them got to be fully present, soaking in every moment, because they knew we had everything else handled.
What Made This Wedding Unforgettable
Katie and John's wedding wasn't about impressing anyone. It wasn't about following trends or doing what they were "supposed" to do.
It was about intention.
Every choice they made—from the book arch to Susie's salsa—told a story about who they are, what they value, and the people they love.
And that's what made this wedding so incredibly beautiful.
When you strip away the pressure to perform and just focus on what matters to you, magic happens. The day feels lighter. The moments feel deeper. And at the end of the night, you realize: this is exactly what a wedding should be.
Why Coordination Matters (And Why We Take It Seriously)
Katie came to us wanting one thing above all else: to be a bride on her wedding day. Not a project manager. Not a vendor wrangler. A bride.
That's what our coordination is all about.
From the planning meetings to the day-of execution, we're your team. We handle the logistics, manage the timeline, coordinate with vendors, and troubleshoot anything that comes up—so you don't have to think about any of it.
Our promise: ✅ You get to be fully present
✅ Your vision comes to life exactly as you imagined
✅ Nothing falls through the cracks
✅ You actually enjoy your wedding day
Katie and John trusted us, and we delivered. That's the standard we hold ourselves to for every single wedding.
Planning Your Own Intentional, Stress-Free Wedding?
If Katie and John's story resonates with you—if you want a wedding filled with meaning, personal touches, and the confidence that your day is in good hands—we'd love to help.
What we offer: 🏛️ A historic venue with character and soul
💕 Full coordination (day-of or full planning)
✨ A team that genuinely cares about your celebration
📋 Flexible packages for weddings of all sizes
🤝 Partnership from first call to final send-off
Ready to start planning?
📧 Contact us for availability
📍 Schedule a tour of the Historic Dallas Jail
💕 Let's create a wedding that feels like YOU
Photography by Rosina Dibello
