Heaven Sent: The ethereal ceremony included white flowers, a gospel choir, and a spiritual music selection. Black House Blooms’ Alethea Armstrong “planted” the crop of wildflowers for the ceremony via caged containers that were covered with moss.

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

Freshly Picked: Kate didn’t want a typical bouquet. “She came to me with pictures of cosmos,” says Alethea. “She wanted a real wildflower vibe.”

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

Paint by Numbers: While the table seating display resembles paint chips up close, it becomes a piece of art from afar. “The picture was an abstract painting of a natural landscape illustrated by Elistry,” says planner and designer Leslie Ochs.

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

Modern Touch: Alethea created simple yet sophisticated monochromatic arrangements in custom painted containers, which gave the effect that the flowers were growing out of the table.

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

Stars of the Show: Though white flowers reigned during the ceremony, Alethea layered in arrangements inspired by the colors of late summer and early fall for the reception, including around the cake by Refined Sugars.

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

Backyard Vibes: Leslie designed the reception to feel like an elegant dinner party that was also comfortable and familiar. “It’s like you’re in a family member’s backyard. It’s much less formal than most traditional luxury weddings,” she says.

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

Simple Stems: Because the goal of the reception was to be inviting rather than imposing, Leslie kept the table flowers modern and clean. “It’s not the look of a typical wedding, where you see a real density of flowers. Everything is intentionally very light and airy,” she says.

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

On the Menu: Hand-calligraphed menus added a personalized touch to tables, which also featured an array of blooming dishware from Big D Party Rentals.

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

Extra, Extra: Leslie borrowed a vintage newspaper stand from local muralist Alli K Design to distribute newspaper-style wedding programs.

Photo by Kaley From Kansas

See How This Local Couple Gave Their Wedding Guests a Glimpse of Heaven

By D Weddings

Kate Allen & Charlie Summers
October 23, 2022

Within six days of meeting as summer camp counselors, Kate Allen and Charlie Summers knew they were soulmates, and it wasn’t long before Charlie proposed. (“When you know, you know,” he says.) Because of their shared faith, they asked wedding designer Leslie Ochs of Alice and Apricot and florist Alethea Armstrong of Black House Blooms to give guests a glimpse of heaven on their big day. That inspired a field of dreams. “We created this area where white flowers sprouted up from the ground for the ceremony,” says Althea. The newlyweds couldn’t have been more pleased with the focus of the spirited soiree. “It was amazing, but the purpose for every extravagance was to point back to Christ and the abundant life we have in Him,” says Kate. —Laura Kostelny

Not So Campy

Kate and Charlie hosted both their ceremony and reception at The Alex Camp House at the Dallas Arboretum. “The home feels very classic but beautiful and European, and the gardens are always so stunning,” says Kate.

Borrowed Blue

Kate and her mother scouted a vintage car show in Highland Park Village and ended up approaching someone about using his car. “Jim Baldwin was an absolute stranger,” Kate says. “We invited him and his wife to our wedding, and he volunteered to drive us away from the venue!”

Guests: 300

First Dance: “Don’t Keep Heaven Busy” by Johnnyswim

Sweet Treat: Ice cream from Baldo’s

Credits

  • Ceremony/Reception Site

    Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

  • Photographer

    Kaley From Kansas

  • Bridal Gown Retailer

    Warren Barrón Bridal

  • Hair & Makeup

    Tease to Please

  • Flowers

    Black House Blooms

  • Stationery

    Minted; LaneLove Paper Co.

  • Cake

    Refined Sugars

  • Catering

    Culinary Art Catering; Nightowl Coffee; Baldo’s Ice Cream; Dallas Fine Wine & Spirits Shop

  • Music

    Callie Nixon (gospel choir); Intensity Bands (reception)

  • Videographer

    Ivey Redding

  • Transportation

    Jim Baldwin (getaway car); Premier Transportation (bus)

  • Wedding Rentals

    BBJ La Tavola; Big D Party Rentals; Lawson Event Rentals; Render Events

  • Wedding Planner/Designer

    Alice and Apricot

  • Calligraphy

    Modernly Rustic

  • Seating chart and day-of illustrations

    Elistr

  • Seating chart signage

    Warehouse Rose Events

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