Elizabeth Dameris  & Jack Beardslee
June 24, 2023

Elizabeth Dameris and Jack Beardslee have some hiring managers to thank for their happily ever after. The pair met when they were hired by the same company for their first postcollege jobs.  The only problem? Elizabeth was working in her native Houston, while Jack, a native of Kansas City, Kansas, was officed in Dallas. The couple dated long-distance for a year and a half until a new opportunity brought Elizabeth to Dallas. Once engaged, they were less focused on a specific aesthetic for their wedding and more on creating a fun, happy occasion for friends and family. “We wanted the evening to be all about celebrating together,” Elizabeth shares. Planner Allison MacNealy of Allison & Co Events and florist David Kimmel Design decked the ballroom of Brook Hollow Golf Club with romantic floral and foliage and deep green accents. “It was absolutely wonderful,” Elizabeth remembers. “I loved that we were able to be truly present around everyone we love.” The newlyweds reflect on the best and hardest parts of wedding planning and on what advice they’d give couples going through the process.

Had you thought about your wedding day before getting engaged?

Elizabeth: Not at all! I was never one of those girls who grew up dreaming of their wedding, so I was starting from square one.

Jack: Yes—after attending multiple friends’ weddings, it was easy to start picturing that day for Elizabeth and me.

What was the smartest thing you did while planning your wedding?

Elizabeth: Hiring our planner, Allison MacNealy. She handled so much behind the scenes and understood my vision, so I trusted her completely.

Jack: Relinquished all control to Elizabeth! And, of course, I opined and helped out when asked to.

What was the hardest part about wedding planning?

Elizabeth: Making sure Jack felt included in the process and the planning to the extent he wanted to be. I wanted him to walk into the reception and feel like he was well represented.

Jack: The budgeting process and ultimately staying within the budget (which is generally impossible!).

What stressed you out the most?

Elizabeth: Aligning the church availability and reception venue availability was hard.

Jack: My big responsibility was the band/music, so I was hoping it would turn out well.

What was the most fun part of wedding planning?

Elizabeth: Designing my dress with Patti Flowers! This idea originally sounded intimidating, but after having multiple appointments at bridal salons across town, I was able to piece together ideas from different dresses that really felt like “me.”

Jack: Getting to sample different flavors of wedding cake at our cake tasting.

What was your most worthwhile wedding splurge?

Elizabeth: Our flowers.

Jack: I thought getting a band was worth it, versus a DJ.

Was there anything your spouse wanted that you weren’t sure about? How did it turn out?

Elizabeth: Jack was very sweet throughout the whole process and was open to almost all of my ideas.

Jack: I was a bit worried about our start time (7 p.m.) but that turned out not to be a problem. (The bride is always right.)

What, if anything, would you do differently if you had to do it all over again?

Elizabeth: Absolutely nothing. It was perfect.

Jack: Nothing. I thought it was a fantastic evening.

What was your biggest takeaway from the wedding-planning process?

Elizabeth: Social media is full of fun ideas, but at the end of the day, it’s so special to be at a celebration that feels so much like you and your spouse. Choose things that feel authentically you.

Jack: I am glad we had such a great wedding but am also glad we will not have to plan another wedding again.

What was the most memorable moment from your wedding day?

Elizabeth: Dancing with our friends to our incredible band.

Jack: We had a private last dance, and it was great to be able to experience a few moments with Elizabeth to soak up the evening.

What has surprised you most about married life? How (if at all) does it feel different?

Elizabeth: We moved into our house the day after we got home from our honeymoon, and it has been so fun to build a home together.

Jack: I love living together and being able to spend time together every day.

If you had one piece of advice for engaged or newly married couples, what would it be?

Elizabeth: Work together to make wedding planning as fun and stress-free as possible!

Jack: Try to make the most of the wedding-planning process, and have fun with it. At the end of the day, what is important is you are marrying your best friend. It doesn’t matter what color the tablecloths are.