If I were to write a guide about making your wedding extra special, this would be it!
Sam and Aaron‘s wedding at the Sons of Hermann Hall in Deep Ellum was everything they could have dreamed of. They had their first date at the hall and spent the night swing dancing, so it was only fitting that they had their wedding there too. The hall was decorated with beautiful flowers and twinkling lights, and the guests danced the night away. It was a perfect day for a perfect couple.
After swiping on each other on Bumble, Sam and Aaron got together for drinks at the Amoury DE to celebrate their birthdays only five days apart. Then Sam asked if he felt like dancing. Aaron did look confused. Before he knew it, they were walking across Deep Ellum to go swing dancing at Sons of Hermann Hall. They didn’t know then, but many dates later, that dance floor would be the same one they would have their first dance to Allen Stone’s Say So as newlyweds.
The Venue
The Sons of Hermann, the first fraternal organization, was founded by German immigrants in New York in 1840. It established lodges in states, and in 1860 one of the first of its kind in Texas, San Antonio, was founded. The Sons of Hermann Hall has a long history. It was constructed in 1911 by the local Sons of Hermann, as a place for their Dallas-based lodges to meet and socialize, and it currently serves as the Dallas headquarters for the local organization.
Did I mention that the sweetheart table chairs belonged to Sam and Aaron? Yeah! Even though I’ve been to their home a handful of times, I didn’t realize it on the wedding day. They told me this while I was doing their gallery reveal, as I was already sitting in one of the chairs. Haha!
The wedding details were all very meaningful. From the concert announcement wedding poster to the table settings, the venue, and the food – everything coming together created this beautiful intimate celebration.
It’s not unusual for me to see the wedding party either forget their socks, ties, or undershirts… I’ve even had a couple who forgot their rings and had to pretend with dupes during the ceremony. As the guys were getting ready, I saw the mini-panic on Aaron’s face and quickly found out – the “deep forest green ties” for the entire groom’s party were missing. Aaron swore he had the ties with him the previous night. They searched everywhere possible, with nothing to be found. Without wasting too much time, we (including myself) started calling the nearby stores to see if they had any. At some point, I even called a store with someone from the wedding party already searching all the racks. I’m pretty positive all those stores have their “forest green ties” fully stocked, haha!
At some point, one of their friends showed up with 6 (yes, six!) different shades of green ties to make sure they got it right. And then Meredith, the officiant’s spouse, brought the actual ties from their home right before the ceremony. Aaron had stayed at their place the night before and only made sure not to forget the rings on his way to the venue, LOL!
For Sam, the most anticipated part of the day was their first look and private vows. She probably told me a few times during our conversations that she really wanted a photo with the building behind them at some point. What other time would best fit if it wasn’t for their first look?
After their first look, we wrapped up their immediate family photos as well as the wedding party photos.
Despite being way cooler than usual Texas weather, it was still hot enough to have the ladies “air their wings,” lol! If you have no idea what I’m talking about, I grew up with a handful of parakeets I took care of. Whenever the weather gets too hot, you’ll see them slightly spread their wings to cool off, which actually works! Next time you’re stuck in a hot and humid situation, open up your arms toward the wind – you’re welcome! 🙂
The Sons of Hermann Hall Dallas, once including a bowling alley, still houses a large ballroom/auditorium and a large carved wood bar sent from Germany.
The bowling alley is not the aisle for beautiful weddings, while the original wooden bar hosts cocktail hours.
And then, probably my favorite part of the day – the shotgun beer competition. It was a lot of fun, but you can clearly see the instant regret on everyone’s face, haha!
If there’s any part of the wedding day, I don’t negotiate what time to do it; it’s the newlywed golden hour portraits. Unless it’s a very cloudy and dark day, I always try to get it around the same time with all the warm light shining through my lens.
I love building a bond with all my couples, but these two lovelies first became my clients, then became friends, and then neighbors at my old studio in Deep Ellum. Having spent that much time together, I know they can handle my silliness! Don’t worry – asking your partner to motorboat you is not on my “newlywed portraits to-do list” – it just happened within that moment, hahaha!
Once the reception begins, that’s my time to relax and chill, too, as I don’t have to keep track of time anymore.
Did I mention to y’all that Aaron’s dad built the backdrop for the cake stand? It was my favorite decor detail of the day as it made a beautiful backdrop for the cake and the reception events.
I bet you saw many cake tables, but how many times did you see someone use candle holders as cupcake stands? Yep – those are indeed candle holders!
Sam and Aaron also didn’t give a specific song for the DJ to play for their private last dance – they just told him to play something sweet. They did, however, tell him to play First Date by Blink-182 for their last dance with their guests before they headed out and lined up for the grand exit. But then when Sam’s mom requested Another One Bites The Dust for the last song, that probably confused our DJ.
While they were mentally ready for a slow romantic dance, getting all lovey-dovey, once the song hit – they thought, “Oh? Well, this is happening; guess we’re jumping around and lip-syncing this song!” jamming out to the entire song, dancing and singing their heart out!
Some couples would get upset over something like that, but Sam and Aaron just changed their dancing style and had a blast. It would be these two if I were to show an example of a couple who can easily overcome any obstacle.
Sam and Aaron advise future couples to keep it chill and not get upset about small things. Despite the few hiccups, they still had a great time and said they wouldn’t change it for anything.
When I asked them their favorite part of the day, they both had the hardest time coming up with an answer; the entire day was their favorite part, lol! But when I asked, “if you had to pick one,” Sam mentioned the moment she was walking down the aisle towards Aaron, and Aaron mentioned the dancing part as he LOVES dancing (I have all the proof in the photos, lol!)
