Atlanta And BeyondAmanda
Summerlin
Photography
Atlanta & beyondest. 2009

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Wedding Photos | Jenn and Peter

“And I’ll hold your hand as you held my hand as we walk through that door.” – Future Islands, ‘Walking Through That Door’

Today we’re going to tell the story of Jenn and Peter and their beautiful outdoor garden wedding at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. In Houston, Texas, naturally. Jenn and Peter met six years at a party. Jenn says she knew Peter was the one for her when she “was only a little disappointed on our first date to realize that I didn’t want to date anyone else. I had just moved to Houston and was looking forward to playing the field, and instead Peter had planned the perfect first date, taking me on a picnic under a tree at a local golf course, and bringing me flowers. Little did he know I’d never been on a picnic and had always wanted to go. He was smart, funny, handsome, and kind, and as we sat on his plaid blanket eating our sandwiches, I realized I only ever wanted to picnic with Peter for the rest of my life.”

Not content to plan only perfect first dates, Peter also planned a perfect proposal. “Our first date was a picnic and that continued to be a date theme that we’ve enjoyed the past 6 years. One particular location where we regularly picnic is Discovery Green. About once a month they play a movie on a large inflatable screen while people sit on the hill. The first time we went they were screening ‘Girl Shy’ and we were enchanted. We roamed the park afterwards and found two large concrete structures shaped like contact lenses. Facing each other and spaced about 50 feet apart, we could each sit in one and hear each other while speaking in no more than a whisper. They are called the ‘Listening Wells’ and they mark one of our favorite locations in the city. I always knew that when I propose, it would be here.”

“So on the week leading up to the Friday I would propose, I planned our picnic movie date. I tried not to give away any sign of my intention and given that it was a date we’d been on many times before, this was not an issue. As we were finishing dinner and the movie entered its final act, I noticed Jenn dozing off. Once it was over I insisted we walk around the park even though I am sure Jenn would have preferred to go home and sleep. After another group had their turn, it was finally time to put the Listening Wells to their intended purpose. I left Jenn on one side and walked as calmly as I could do the other. After exchanging a few pleasantries, I dropped to a knee and asked her to marry me. She covered her face as she rose from her seat and walked very very slowly in my direction. She arrived in my arms as she cried and I placed the ring on her finger. Once we got into better light, she was able to see it was the one she wanted most. I made reservations at the Hilton Americas across the street and we celebrated with champagne on the top floor overlooking the city followed by room service breakfast in the morning. Everything was perfect.”

Jenn’s dress is a family heirloom, made for her grandmother by Jenn’s great-great grandmother. The dress was then worn by Jenn’s mom and aunt, who added lace trim and a train. Jenn changed the satin sleeves for lace, removed the train, and changed the neckline and skirt.Houston Wedding Photos | Jenn and Peter

Jenn and Peter’s Creative Team

Coordinator: Krista Borchard, Event Identity event-identity.com
Hair and Makeup: Pink Palette Artists pinkpaletteartists.com
Bridal Gown Reconstruction: Kristin Johnston Bridal kristinjohnstonbridal.com
Brooch Bouquets: The Ritzy Rose theritzyrose.com
Gent’s Attire: Generation Tux generationtux.com
Ceremony Location: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Houstonarboretum.org
Reception Location: Backstreet Café backstreetcafe.net
Rehearsal Dinner Location: Saint Arnold Brewery saintarnold.com
Rehearsal Dinner Pizza: Luigi’s Pizzeria luigipizzamidtown.com
Rehearsal Dinner Cookies: Pondicheri pondichericafe.com

Amanda Summerlin
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