Beka went into wedding dress shopping with her dream gown in mind. But she had a change of heart when her bridal consultant pulled out a gown with a lace bodice and plunging neckline by Australian brand Made with Love.

Photo by Ellen Ashton Photography

Photo by Ellen Ashton Photography

The revamped decor scheme included floating candles, romantic florals, and fan place cards. “She put my vision into life, but a thousand times better,” Beka says of planner Lottie Fowler.

Photo by Ellen Ashton Photography

Photo by Ellen Ashton Photography

Once the wedding plans shifted, planner Lottie Fowler helped Beka and Michael reimagine elements, like the blush and champagne invitations, to better fit the romantic, garden party affair.

Photo by Ellen Ashton Photography

Photo by Ellen Ashton Photography

Michael’s parents had always wanted to host a wedding at their Fort Worth estate. Wedding planner Lottie Fowler thought the new venue outdid the original. “I always teased Beka, ‘Girl, why didn’t you just plan this from the beginning?’ ”

Photo by Ellen Ashton Photography

Beka Rice and Michael Levy’s Stunning Garden Party Wedding

By Peyton Webb

Beka Rice and Michael Levy
August 1, 2020

The planning process for Beka Rice and Michael Levy’s wedding went almost too smoothly. As soon as Michael popped the question at the Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth, Beka began booking venues and vendors, with nary a hiccup along the way. “We knew it was too good to be true,” Michael recalls. In the spring, as COVID-19 caused nationwide shutdowns, Beka and Michael began to fear the worst. Sure enough, just 60 days before their wedding, which would have been held at TCU’s new Legends Club, they got the call they were dreading: Their venue had cancelled. With the help of planner Lottie Fowler of Grit & Gold Event Co., Beka and Michael pivoted their plans from a collegiate celebration to a romantic garden wedding at the home of Michael’s parents. Despite the ups and downs of the pandemic, the couple was able to celebrate their marriage in a wedding that, in many ways, exceeded their original plans. Reflects Beka: “What better time than to have our wedding at their home and just make it special?”

Click here to see how other couples pivoted their wedding plans in the face of COVID-19.

Plan A: A 350-person wedding at TCU’s Legends Club

Plan B: A 150-wedding at Michael’s parents’ home

Credits

  • Ceremony Site

    St. Patrick’s Cathedral

  • Fort Worth Photographer

    Ellen Ashton Photography

  • Bridal Gown Designer

    Made With Love

  • Bridal Gown Retailer

    A&Be Bridal

  • Hair & Makeup

    Meagan Starr, Starr Beauty Co.

  • Groom’s Attire

    The Black Tux

  • Bridesmaids’ Dresses Retailer

    Show Me Your Mumu

  • Groomsmen’s Attire

    The Black Tux

  • Flower Girl Dress Designer

    Zoe Ltd.

  • Flower Girl Dress Retailer

    Neiman Marcus

  • Reception Site

    Groom’s parents’ home (Westover Hills, Fort Worth)

  • Flowers

    Blushington Blooms

  • Stationery

    Shine Wedding Invitations

  • Cake

    Creme de la Creme Cake Company

  • Catering

    Reata Catering

  • Music

    Royal Dukes Band

  • Lighting

    Marquee Event Rentals

  • Videographer

    Take 4 Films

  • Getaway Car

    DFW Vintage Cars

  • Wedding Rentals

    Marquee Event Rentals

  • Wedding Planner

    Treasured Heart Events

  • Wedding Designer

    Lottie Fowler, Grit & Gold Event Co.

Publisher's Best

Explore local vendors we love.

Sign Up for our Newsletters!

Enter your email to receive news, inspiration, and events in your inbox with our monthly LoveNotes newsletter. 

Enter your wedding date, and we’ll also send you our Countdown to I Do emails—personalized to-do lists to get you ready for your big day!