LIFETIME OF LOVE

LIFETIME OF LOVE

by | Jun 27, 2019 | 2019 July Aug, Feature Three

Jenna McGaw And Ryan Fondren Marry In Houston

By Jake Gaines
Photography by Chris Bailey Photography

Houstonians Jenna McGaw and Ryan Fondren were high school sweethearts before they were married in their hometown. A seven-month engagement was the next step after a nine-year relationship. Ryan, the son of Kelli and Walter Fondren, popped the question to Jenna, the daughter of Trisha and Michael McGaw, with flowers, a letter and the ring at Jenna’s parents’ longtime family home. “Even though we were 15 and 16 years old when we started dating, we have grown into adults and we’ve always made each other laugh and continue to be each other’s best friend,” shared Jenna McGaw Fondren. 

The couple’s weekend of wedding festivities began at the rehearsal dinner at Hotel Zaza where they were toasted by family and friends. The ceremony and reception were held at The Revaire, an event venue in Houston. “Our ceremony was very special and personalized…our guests were able to hear how we felt about each other in our exact words,” said the bride. The décor was a sublime mix of neutrals, with all-white floral and greenery that was created by Blooming Gallery, all of which was surrounded by shades of champagne, marble, and gray tones. Rebecca Martens of Belle of The Ball Events was the wedding planner who oversaw the couple’s wishes for their dream nuptials. 

As Jenna walked down the aisle, escorted by her father, she wore a dress designed by Amsale and delicately perched atop her head was Ryan’s family’s heirloom veil. The bride had 15 bridesmaids led by Ashley McGaw, her maid of honor and sister. The bridesmaids were: Kendall Allen, Maggie Buscha, Addie Clark, Keni Fondren, Lauren Gray, Carroll Ison, Meredith Knight, Katherine Lange, Adrianne Leibman, Lauren Maguire, Carson Miller, Allyson Poujol, Cynthia Ormiston, and Lindsey Smith. Her house party attendants consisted of Carolina Roberts, Mary Curry, Anabelle Reade, and Ava McBath. The groom had 13 groomsmen led by Chase Fondren, his brother and best man. They were: Mitchell Austin, Mason Hunt, Alex Ghadially, Robert Lartigue, Adam McCauley, Matthew Moldawer, Jared Smith, Luke Utley, Chris Varalla, Matt Weisberger, Stewart Wombwell, and Joseph White. The ushers were: Jake Molak, Sammy Condurso, Keller Towns, and Luke Walter.

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The reception kicked into high gear with the Empire 6 band that provided the entertainment for the evening. Guests enjoyed a myriad of buffet cuisine options before the ceremonial cake cutting. Susie’s Cakes created both masterpieces: the all-white bride’s cake had white fondant flowers trailing down the side while the groom’s cake, in the shape of Texas, was dotted with all the favorite spots the couple has enjoyed throughout the state. Guests also enjoyed photo opportunities in front of a huge feather wall that was built as the backdrop of the photo booth.

 Jenna and Ryan Fondren traveled to Curacao in the Caribbean for their honeymoon. They will continue to reside in Houston where the bride works as the manager of the Safe School Institute for Crime Stoppers of Houston and the groom is a project manager for Thomas O’Neill Homes. In addition to spending time outdoors and on the water, they enjoy visiting Ryan’s family ranch in Columbus.

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THE HEIGHT OF LOVE

THE HEIGHT OF LOVE

by | Jun 27, 2019 | 2019 July Aug, Feature Two

Claire Cavender And Easton McNab Marry In Aspen

By Jake Gaines
Photography by Robin Proctor Photography

Claire Cavender, the daughter of Suzanne and Rick Cavender and Easton McNab, the son of Connie and John “Sandy” McNab, were married at Chaparral Ranch in Woody Creek, Colorado near Aspen, in a ceremony surrounded by family, friends and sky-high mountain ranges. The native San Antonians have known each other since they attended St. Luke’s Episcopal School and St. Mary’s Hall High School together. The bride, a graduate of the University of Texas, who later moved to the West Coast, and the groom, a graduate of the University of Southern California, said their move to Los Angeles solidified their relationship.

Together since 2009, the couple wanted their nuptial festivities near the groom’s family home. A favorite summer destination for nine years and the beginning of their 14-month engagement, the venue set the tone. “I was getting ready for dinner and Easton asked me to go down with him to check out the Roaring Fork, which is the beautiful river that runs by their home,” says Clair McNab. “This was not a giveaway at all because every time we arrive we like to enjoy a cocktail by the river. However, this time it was different because he instantly got down on one knee and asked me to be his wife. It was a moment we will never forget in a place that means so much to both of us.”

The busy planning of the wedding took many months and the couple chose to select their hometown favorites to be involved from the beginning. The bride’s handmade engagement ring and the groom’s wedding band were both designed by Nicole Mera in San Antonio. The bride’s diamond wedding band was by JB Star, along with her rehearsal dinner and wedding jewelry, all from Shetler Fine Jewelers in San Antonio. The wedding planner for the events was Suzanne Dupre and her team from An Aspen Affair, while Luc Haughart at Premier Party Rentals helmed the décor, and Carolyn’s Flowers created the floral environment.

The rehearsal dinner was at the St. Regis’ Aspen Velvet Buck restaurant and its after party occurred at the Caribou Club. The couple flew in an LA-based DJ to spin the tunes for the event so that all the guests, wedding party and families could  meet each other after the rehearsal dinner. The bride’s rehearsal dinner dress was designed by San Antonio-based Creviax et Cie.   

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For the ceremony, the bride walked down the aisle wearing a stunning Carolina Herrera dress from Julian Gold Bridal and colors of dusty rose and dusty blue were seen everywhere. The groom chose to wear a custom Knot Standard suit for the occasion. Reverend Jill Pidcock officiated the ceremony as the couple was encircled by 250 of their guests who flew in for the wedding festivities.

The bride chose her sister, Courtney Cavender Smith to be her matron of honor and her bridesmaids were: Brittany Blonkvist, Alexandra Clark, Felice Coon, Laine Deutscher, Ashley Fatjo, Georgie Ferrell, Sarah Geibel, Brenna Hart, Clare Holden, Emily Honigblum, Amanda Lodge, Nicola McLauglin, Sita McNab, Hallie Swope, and Kellye Thomas. The house party consisted of Kate Dawson, Rachel Jonkers, Alicia McNab, Stella McNab, Chloe Shands, and Leah Sheesley. The groom’s best men were his bothers, Ian McNab and Charles McNab, and serving as his groomsmen were: Cadell Alexander, Hank Cavender, Tod Cavender, Ben Ghez, Joe Martin, Joey Maloney, Tucker Oelson, JJ Rubin, Jack Sertich, Eli Tash, Beau Townsend, and Chase Wirth. His ushers were Maxwell Atherton, Hal Guggolz, Phillip Halliday, Tobin Smith, and Paul Swann.

The reception that followed the wedding at the Chaparral Ranch was a seated dinner with the duo’s signature drinks, Moscow Mules and Negronis, offered to guests upon arrival. As the evening progressed, especially touching was the bride’s father, Rick, who sang the opening song to the couple. The Denver-based band, Tunisia, provided the dance numbers for the guests before the wedding send-off surprise of confetti machines (artfully planned by the mother of the bride and the wedding planner).

The bride is the granddaughter of Judy Cavender and the James “Jimmy” Cavender and Sybil and Robert V. West, Jr. The groom’s maternal grandparents are Charline and Red McCombs and his paternal grandparents were Ian and Sita McNab. The couple’s honeymoon was spent in Lake Como, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. The couple reside in San Antonio where Claire works at the Cavender Auto Family and  Easton is employed by McCombs Enterprises. They spend their time playing and traveling with their Maltese/Shih Tzu mixes, Hadley and Harper, and supporting Blue Star Contemporary, Southwest School of Art and The McNay Art Museum in San Antonio’s vibrant art scene. 

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