A christmas-themed wedding at the bride’s grandparents’ estate

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Christmas is such a magical time—twinkle lights, sweets, sequins, the smell of pine. The only thing more magical would be sharing it with all of your favorite people at the house where you grew up celebrating. Well, that's exactly what this couple decided to do for their wedding! Sounds impossible, right? Well, this beautiful winter wedding is proof that with the right team, anything is possible. So keep scrolling and get ready to get swept up in all the holiday feels in these photos by Shannon Skloss.

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meant to be

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A few years ago, on the Fourth of July, I found myself the last one in town for the weekend. I was living in Austin at the time and agreed to attend a barbecue with my roommates and their friends from high school. I didn’t know many people, but once we arrived, I offered to go run to the store when we needed more food and drinks. I didn’t have my car, but a guy offered to drive me. I hopped in Eli’s car without even having met him, and the rest is history!
After we got to talking, Eli and I realized there were several occasions we had been in the same place at the same time. I was originally from Fort Worth, and he had just graduated from TCU, where he played football. Everyone in my family is a big TCU football fan, and I was coincidentally working for the former TCU football coaches' foundation at the time. There were so many serendipitous things about how our interests aligned and our paths had crossed. It definitely felt like it was just a matter of time before we met!

the vision: home for the holidays

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You would never guess that this grand emerald-draped ballroom with the custom bar and hanging frosted florals was the same place the bride had celebrated Christmas every year as a child. "Since I was a little girl, we have spent every special occasion, birthday, and holiday at my grandparents' house in Fort Worth. My grandfather passed a few years ago, followed by my grandmother in October 2023. It felt inevitable that we would have to say goodbye to the home that held so many amazing memories. In February 2024, Eli proposed at that very house. After discussing, it only seemed fitting for the wedding to be there as well! It couldn’t have been a more special venue."

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Our entire family has a love for Christmas and has always gone above and beyond in celebrating it. Christmas at my grandparents' was always the most magical time of year, and they would pull out all the stops to make it special for the grandchildren. After picking a December wedding date, it was so easy to lean into the memories of Christmas in that home, and we wanted our guests to feel that same magic.

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We worked with the talented team at Ash Event Co to prepare my grandparents’ house for the special day. After 26 years in that house, it was very helpful to have a fresh set of eyes come in and reimagine the entire space. The whole team truly understood our vision from the start and made the planning process so smooth and special for our entire family.

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The beautiful draping was hands-down my favorite part of the design. We wanted the exterior tents to feel like an extension of the home, and the planning team did an amazing job at the seamless transition from indoor to outdoor space. The cocktail hour was flipped to an after-party that brought in fun pops of red after leaning heavily into Christmas greens for dinner and dancing spaces.

the invitations

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Imagine getting this envelope in the mail—we're giddy just thinking about it! Who doesn't want a reason to get super dressed up at Christmastime? From the vintage holiday stamps to the pine motif, this gorgeous invitation suite definitely set the tone for the big day!

getting ready

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In peppermint-hued holiday pajamas, the bride and her bridesmaids sipped champagne and exchanged heartfelt gifts in the bridal suite as they got ready. It felt just like Christmas morning!

the fashion

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For the elegant affair, Camille wore a chic lace gown with a high neckline and plunging back by Oscar de la Renta. She paired the look with ivory Prada slingbacks, a staple she can keep in her wardrobe for years to come. Elias looked equally dapper in a classic white jacket and a black bowtie. The rest of the bridal party brought the holiday spirit in tasteful metallics and festive tuxes with touches of satin.

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the first look

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In a private moment, Elias waited by a reflecting pool for a familiar tap on his shoulder. He turned around to see his bride. Ear to ear, a smile swept across his face that would last the entire day.

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the florals

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Despite the holiday theme for this wedding, they kept the florals neutral, leaning into a green and white color palette. A dramatic floral arch by GRO Designs greeted guests at the entrance to the chapel and lined the aisle inside. Then, they really amped up the holiday vibes when it came to the reception with pine garland on every banister and twinkling Christmas trees, creating their very own winter wonderland.

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trend alert: cake centerpiece

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Big cakes are back, so much so that couples are turning them into centerpieces for the reception. And why not? They're edible art, so why not give your cake the moment it deserves? This six-tiered masterpiece, with its sculpted floral motif, really brought the whole design together.

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the afterparty

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But the party didn't stop there! After dinner, the bride slipped into a bright red sequin mini dress, and the doors opened, revealing a custom red dance floor with a hanging ribbon installation hovering overhead. "Epic" doesn't even begin to cover it...

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