WEDDING IDEAS

Samantha carried a hand-tied bouquet in cream and green that featured roses, scabiosas, mini calla lilies, and cymbidium orchids.

The vibrant green and tangerine-colored bridesmaid bouquets were filled with orchids, roses, and celosia.

During the reception, Samantha wore a crystal and pearl bracelet from Haute Bride and carried her essentials in an apple green silk clutch embellished with crystals.

For the reception, Samantha changed into green apple silk shoes from Nine West. She added crystal brooches to the sides for a bit of sparkle.

Samantha designed the couple‘s wedding programs to mimic the style of their invitations. They were created in chocolate brown with the couple‘s monogram in apple green and were tied with the same ribbon as the invites.

Samantha and Bryan married at La Villita, a church built in 1869 that was part of the original village of San Antonio. The church was filled with candlelight, but, otherwise, the couple chose to keep the decor simple "so as not to detract from the natural historic beauty" of the sanctuary, explains the bride.

As the newlyweds left the chapel, their guests tossed white and orange flower petals in the air from custom-made green and brown cones. They then walked the short distance to the reception site.

During the cocktail hour, Samantha and Bryan set up a lounge area featuring two chocolate brown couches with green and tangerine silk pillows. "The cocktail hour and reception space was where I could really show off the contemporary design of the event," says the bride.

Samantha and Bryan‘s guests found a square, green and white menu placed at the center of a tangerine orange charger at their place settings. A single cymbidium orchid added to the stylish setting.

Samantha and Bryan‘s guest tables were topped with towering centerpieces of hydrangeas, orchids, and roses, with clusters of flowers and candles arranged at the base.

Though Samantha and Bryan were going to skip the cake, their moms prevailed at the last minute and they stuck with tradition. The two cut a three-tier cake covered in apple green fondant accented with a contemporary-looking square pattern.

Samantha and Bryan did their first dance to Shania Twain‘s "From This Moment," then changed up their attire and preformed a high energy salsa for their guests.

Samantha & Bryan in San Antonio, TX

Photos By: Anne Marie Photography
Day-of Coordination: Elegant Events, San Antonio
Location: Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk, San Antonio

Samantha and Bryan met their match on Match.com. Samantha had been living in Dallas, while Bryan had recently been stationed in Houston. After months of getting to know each other on the phone and over email, the two finally made plans to meet.

The Bride Samantha Darr, 35, owner of a wedding and event production company
The Groom Bryan Sines, 35, Coast Guard
The Date August 11

"We knew immediately that we were meant for each other," says the bride. And after a few months of "casual conversation about getting married" -- not to mention some "mysterious behavior" on the part of the groom -- Bryan surprised Samantha with a proposal. The couple decided to wed with a destination celebration in San Antonio. "The architecture, landscaping, history, and Latin flair of the city was exactly what we wanted," explains Samantha.

-- Kate Wood