So Clutch: Though he may look comfortable behind the wheel of this 1961 Chevrolet Corvette, Nathan had to receive a little help to drive their rented getaway car, which was a standard transmission. “His groomsman was on the side coaching him,” Amanda says with a laugh while recalling their send-off.

Photo by The Brothers Martens

Music Matters: Through their invitations, the music-loving couple paid homage to Nathan's hometown of Tupelo, Mississippi—which is also the birthplace of Elvis Presley—with stamps bearing The King's likeness.

Photo by The Brothers Martens

For the Record: Music played a central role in Amanda and Nathan’s love story, so they highlighted their passion in every detail of the wedding, including vinyl escort cards and a Justin Timberlake LP standing in for a traditional guest book.

Photo by The Brothers Martens

Ladies in Black: From the start, Amanda had the idea for her wedding party to dress in all black, but she didn’t have strong feelings about the style of her bridesmaids’ dresses, telling her attendants, “Go out, and pick the dress you feel the most sexy and comfortable in.”

Photo by The Brothers Martens

A Walk to Remember: “He custom wrote the ceremony for us,” Amanda says of her father, a minister, who presided over the ceremony. He also performed a song he'd written for Amanda's mother when he proposed exactly 40 years, to the day, earlier.

Photo by The Brothers Martens

Photo by The Brothers Martens

Photo by The Brothers Martens

Paint It Black: The black-and-white color palette was a non-comprisable aspect for Amanda. “I wanted to make it so simple and classic, so I could look back on my photos and still have it look good,” Amanda says.

Photo by The Brothers Martens

Black chargers topped with white round menu cards were designed to resemble a record.

Photo by The Brothers Martens

On the Waterfront: “I’d always dreamed of a fall wedding, outside, by the water, under the lights,” says Amanda, who’d dreamt of marrying in Italy. “Knowing that with COVID it was going to be local, we wanted to get as close to that as possible.”

Photo by The Brothers Martens

Photo by The Brothers Martens

When choosing a wedding photographer, Amanda and Nathan wanted to pick someone whom they could trust to capture the intimate moments of their wedding day in an artful way.

Photo by The Brothers Martens

The Icing on the Cake: Of Amanda and Nathan’s desire for a black cake, planner Leslie Ochs remembers, “We asked multiple bakers, and they said no.” They eventually enlisted SusieCakes to bake her dream sleek black cake.

Photo by The Brothers Martens

The Arboretum Went Monochromatic for Amanda McLachlan and Nathan Jones’ “I Do’s”

By Maddie Jewesson

Amanda McLachlan and Nathan Jones
November 7, 2020 

Amanda McLachlan had long thought pal Nathan Jones was “dreamy.” But it wasn’t until a confession of love by Nathan that the two went from friends to something more. Two years later, Nathan took Amanda on a scavenger hunt through special shared spots in Dallas, ending in a proposal. For Amanda, an event planner by trade, planning her wedding “was like my Super Bowl.” She quickly got to work bringing her vision to life with the help of planner Leslie Ochs of Alice and Apricot, and after a four-month engagement, Amanda and Nathan tied the knot in front of 70 of their nearest and dearest. Remembers the bride: “We felt super blessed to have a night under the stars with all our close friends and family.”

Amanda & Nathan's Sunset Couple's Shot

Platinum Album

When choosing a wedding photographer, Amanda and Nathan wanted to pick someone whom they could trust to capture the intimate moments of their wedding day in an artful way. “We wanted something we could put up as art in our home after the wedding,” she says of choosing The Brothers Martens.Amanda & Nathan's Table Setting

Paint It Black

The black-and-white color palette was a non-comprisable aspect for Amanda. “I wanted to make it so simple and classic, so I could look back on my photos and still have it look good,” Amanda says. Black chargers topped with white round menu cards were designed to resemble a record.

Guests: 70

Guest Book: An LP of Justin Timberlake's Man of the Woods album—a nod to one of their early dates to see Timberlake in concert 

Signature Cocktails: Blood orange kombucha and Topo Chico with lime

Credits

  • Ceremony Site

    McCasland Sunken Garden, The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

  • Photographer

    The Brothers Martens Bridal

  • Gown Designer

    Monique Lhuillier

  • Bridal Gown Retailer

    Warren Barrón

  • Bridal Hair

    Sarah King Lynch

  • Bridal Hair

    Indigo Child

  • Makeup

    LB Rosser

  • Groom’s Attire

    Suit Supply

  • Reception Site

    Alex Camp House, The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden

  • Flowers

    Petals + Pastels

  • Stationery

    Cari Abaunza

  • Stationery

    Well-Made Heart

  • Stationery

    Minted

  • Menus

    Alice and Apricot

  • Programs

    Amanda McLachlan

  • Cake

    SusieCakes

  • Catering

    Culinary Art Catering

  • Music

    In10city Band

  • Music

    Dallas String Quartet

  • Music

    Sam Garner Music

  • Lighting

    Lawson Event Rentals

  • Videographer

    The Brothers Martens

  • Wedding Rentals

    Lawson Event Rentals

  • Wedding Rentals

    POSH Couture Rentals

  • Wedding Rentals

    La Tavola Fine Linen Rental

  • Wedding Rentals

    The Event Lounge

  • Wedding Planner

    Leslie Ochs, Alice and Apricot

  • Additional Vendors

    Aleyolé

  • Additional Vendors

    Baldo’s Ice Cream

  • Additional Vendors

    Mariloff Diamonds & Fine Jewelry

  • Additional Vendors

    Night Owl Coffee Cart

  • Additional Vendors

    Shelby Hall Calligraphy

  • Additional Vendors

    Stuart Weitzman

  • Additional Vendors

    Tesoro Baking

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