BECAUSE OF YOU

BECAUSE OF YOU

by | Dec 30, 2021 | 2022 January February, Weddings 2022

The Nuptials Of Kristin Kay Sanders and James Robert Hallam

By Jake Gaines         Photography by Danny Campbell Photography and Bryan Chatlien Photography

Kristin Kay Sanders of New Waverly, Texas, the daughter of Pamela Kay Sanders and Steve and Sandra Sanders and James Robert Hallam of Dallas, the son of Howard and Fanchon Hallam, and Kay Nell Wilson (decd), were married in star-studded style in Dallas. Kristin, who had returned to Dallas after selling her Malibu, California-based business, Pure Barre, was introduced to James by a mutual friend who encouraged him to call. “After hanging up the phone with my friend, it rang again, and it was James,” enthused the bride, Kristin Hallam. “I was caught off guard, yet that probably worked in his favor since he simply got right to business and asked ‘what are you doing later?’ and ‘may I take you to dinner?’” I said yes, of course, and it has been a whirlwind ever since.” They dated for three years and were engaged for one.

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“We instantly knew event producer Steve Kemble was the one and only person who could pull off an event of this style and elegance,” shared James Hallam. Steve is such a brilliant personality and has an eye for detail. He and his team utilized this design mastery and created an upscale, black tie affair of our dreams. It was magnificent.” With 625 guests invited, the ceremony was at Highland Park United Methodist Church. “The most memorable point during our vows, led by Reverend Matt Tuggle, was it rained, recalled the couple, just as it had been raining when James proposed.”. The Hindu tradition states that when you “tie the knot” on a rainy day, a marriage is supposedly just as difficult to unravel. So, our journey begins with a “double knot” that seems to be unbreakable.” The bride wore a Carolina Herrera gown and custom veil designed by Alisa Culp for Haute Hot Lingerie and the groom donned a custom tuxedo by Vitale Barberis Canonico of Italy, from Neiman Marcus. Dr. Delphinium Designs and Events created the opulent floral décor.

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Friday night’s reception was at Park House, while the Saturday night celebration was held at the Dallas Country Club. Saturday’s reception setting, with its Roaring 20s high glam atmosphere, had state-of-the-art lighting and entertainment. For the guests’ photogenic moments, the oversized spelling of the word LOVE, which was laden in white roses and greenery towered 12 feet as a selfie station. The cocktail napkins, bars, dance floor, all the way down to the yummy Bundt cakes had the signature K&J black and gold initials and theme, created by Kemble. The lobster mac n’ cheese and spareribs were a hit, according to the guests. DJ Mark Ridlen spun his tunes for Friday’s reception while The Dan Band and Jordan Kahn Orchestra entertained guests at Saturday evening’s event. “How fun it was to see our life-long friends, and many from the blocks where we grew up as children,” shared Kristin. “Many people felt that while they were seeing so many of their longtime friends, they had been transported back in time to when they were much younger. What a gift this was for everyone,” said James Hallam.

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The bride, who graduated from Baylor University, is employed at Cheetah Swift. The groom, who received his B.S. degree from St. Edward’s University and M.B.A from Southern Methodist University, is the vice president of Marketing and Legislative Affairs at Ben E. Keith Beverages. The couple, who have children from previous marriages, say they have mastered the three-day travel weekend. Some of their favorite getaways are Los Angeles, Miami, Washington D.C., and New York. They enjoy visiting Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica, and Punta Mita, Mexico, when they have extra time.

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ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES

by | Dec 30, 2021 | 2022 January February, Weddings 2022

The Nuptials Of Elisabeth Uhl and Elkin Kleberg In West Texas

By Jake Gaines         Photography by Caroline Jugensen Photography  

The ceremony of Victoria (Elisabeth) Uhl and Elkin McGaughy Kleberg was held under the wide-open West Texas sky. Elisabeth is the daughter of Lorrie and Arthur Gustav Uhl III of San Antonio, and Elkin is the son of Julie and Scott Masterson Kleberg of Fort Worth. The groom asked for the bride’s hand in marriage when the couple and his family spent New Year’s in South Texas quail hunting. He surprised Elisabeth by proposing in the pasture. Soon after the proposal, her family unexpectedly appeared, and the families celebrated the impending nuptials together over dinner.

The all-white wedding ceremony was held outside under the wide-open West Texas sky. Ivory and sand toned linens inspired by the landscape, anchored the dinner and reception design, and served as an earthy backdrop for the blue, green, yellow, and orange décor. The reception floral design, a collaboration between Cloche Events of San Antonio and Three Branches Floral of Dallas, was inspired by the region’s sunset and incorporated pink, yellow, and orange tones. The bride and their families chose the mother of the bride’s family land, Pecan Creek Ranch, outside of San Angelo, as the venue for the ceremony and its nearby festivities. With the reception taking place in a remote part of West Texas, on a hill overlooking a magnificent vista, the scaffolding and tenting took two weeks to install. The stage backdrop was designed by Cloche Events, who oversaw the planning of all the wedding details. In fact, the Cloche team, led by Laura Nell Burton and Christin Gish, met the challenges of hosting a summertime ranch wedding with logistical expertise, creativity, grit and love, every step of the way. They were inspired by a trip to South America when they were dating, and it was where they fell in love with the brightly colored architecture with its pink Bougainvillea climbing vines.

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The bride wore a gown previously worn by her mother, aunt, and late grandmother, and she collaborated with Coutures by Laura of Austin in the redesign. The veil, also an heirloom, had been worn by the family members, and her mother placed a sixpence in her shoe prior to the ceremony for good luck. Elisabeth’s Maid of Honor was Hilary Shaw, while her 11 bridesmaids were Maddy Canty, Marlee Cutbirth, Christina Thurmond, Sarah Friedman, Kat Hubbard, Julie King, Elizabeth Kleberg, Ali Koudelka, Sarah Beth Cole, Mallory Morris, and Madeline Thompson. Her nine other attendants were: Hailey Becker, Ellen Crow, Mary Elizabeth Fleming, Callie Fort, Catherine Murray, Rachel Theilmann, Elizabeth Waltrip, Jackie White, and Elizabeth Williamson. Elkin’s best man was Matt Kleberg, and his 13 groomsmen were:  Will Bailey, Reed Brunette, Preston Burkett, Dillon Friedman, Robby Walls, Jeff Johnson, Lukin King, Parker LeCorgne, William Pipkin, Chase Prospere, Carter Thurmond, James Uhl, and Scott Uhl. His six other attendants were: Charlie Gentry, Perry Ginsburg, Cameron Horton, Reagen Hughes, Burke Kleinheinz, and Peter Ray.

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The rehearsal dinner was held at the Cactus Hotel in San Angelo and was catered by Bonnell’s of Fort Worth. The wedding was catered by the team at Perini Ranch Steakhouse of Buffalo Gap. The seated dinner featured their famous beef tenderloin and dusted shrimp. In addition, mini tequila bottle escort cards were implemented to direct the guests to place settings that were personalized with traditional blue and white Spanish Talavera tiles. Guests dined at gold and ivory place settings, with a mix of round and long tables adorned with candlelight and flowers. The couple left the reception in a 1987 Jeep Wagoneer that is an old family vehicle purchased by James (Jimmie) Powell and has been driven by three generations of the bride’s mother’s family.

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Both Elisabeth and Elkin Kleberg graduated from The University of Texas at Austin, where they now make their home. The bride is employed with Endeavor Real Estate Group, and the groom works at ACG Partners. The couple, who honeymooned in Italy, have many mutual interests, including spending time at their families’ ranches, hunting, fishing, skiing, running, and exploring new places.

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THIS LOVE OF OURS

THIS LOVE OF OURS

by | Dec 30, 2021 | 2022 January February, Weddings 2022

The Nuptials Of Clara Kelleher and John Ostrander In San Antonio

By Jake Gaines         Photography by Sarah Kate Photography  

The vibrant theme for the wedding of Clara Patricia Kelleher and John Blake Ostrander was a garden party with San Antonio flair, in shades of green, pink, and white, complete with Mexican star lanterns. The bride and groom are both San Antonio natives. Clara Kelleher is the daughter of Lisa and John Michael Kelleher, and John Ostrander is the son of Miriam and Ron Malek, and Chris Ostrander. The bride attended Texas Christian University, while the groom attended Texas Tech University and earned his degree from San Angelo State University. They had a five-year courtship and were married after an eleven-month engagement. “John popped the question on a hike in Jackson Hole, Wyoming,” mused the bride, Clara Ostrander. “We hiked to the highest point at Teton Village. So it was just the two of us when he proposed at the top of the mountain with the most beautiful view.”

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The rehearsal dinner, honoring the couple at Club Giraud, included a performance by their favorite artist, Rob Baird, whom they discovered in Luckenbach. The following day, the wedding ceremony was at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church. The bride wore a Monique Lhuillier gown of 3D-embroidered lace appliqué and tulle from Julian Gold Bridal, San Antonio. The A-line silhouette, a godet skirt with grosgrain bow at waist, was showcased with a ruffle illusion V-neck. Clara wore a custom veil of the embroidered lace appliqué that matched her gown and the ensemble was adorned with earrings loaned by her mother.

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Sara Fay Egan and Ashley Freeman of Sara Fay Egan Events of Dallas helmed the planning of the wedding, while Danny Cuellar of Trinity Flowers created the festive floral décor. The flowers were sophisticated and classic creating a contemporary elegance that was simply pretty in all shades of pink. The Maid of Honor was Caroline Swan Kelleher, while the Matron of Honor serving the bride was Maddie Kellum Allen. She was attended by 16 bridesmaids and attendants. The groom’s best man was Andrew Markette Allen, with ten groomsmen attending him.

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The reception, which followed the nuptials, was at The Argyle for the 620 guests. The seated buffet had plenty of food stations, including The Argyle’s famous nachos, potato puffs with caviar, seafood paella, lobster rolls, pepper bomb beef tenderloin, and fried quail, to name a few. The occasion’s libations contained a floral-filled champagne ice bar, espresso martinis adorned with the likeness of Eloise, the couple’s French Bulldog, on the drink stirrers, and the groom’s favorite, a traditional Margarita. About the groom, the bride shared, “When we met, I thought John was the funniest guy I had ever known. He is still the life of the party, and I love that life will always be entertaining with him. Plus, he has the kindest heart.”

The couple resides in San Antonio, where the bride is the jewelry buyer for Julian Gold, and the groom is the co-founder of Bexar Capital, a real estate investment firm. They visited South Africa for their honeymoon, and in their leisure hours, they love attending concerts around the Texas Hill Country and spending time at the bride’s family’s ranch.

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