With the rise of online dating, it’s no surprise that Chelsea and Ray met on Match.com in July of 2013. Chelsea had just recently moved to Dallas and one of the first weekends after Chelsea had moved, Ray reached out and asked Chelsea out to brunch. Their first date was brunch on a sunny Sunday where the two talked for over three hours! The two became inseparable ever since.

After knowing that Chelsea was the one, Ray decided it was time to ask for Chelsea’s dad’s permission to marry his daughter. Ray had attempted to ask Chelsea’s father a few times, but for various reason’s it never worked out. One weekend, Chelsea’s dad was in Dallas for a friend’s birthday. Unfortunately, a rock hit his windshield, so the car was in the shop to get it fixed. Ray volunteered to take Chelsea’s father to the repair shop to pick up the car. On the way, Ray asked Chelsea’s father if he had his blessing to marry his daughter. Ray tried afew times to ask Chelsea’s dad which was very sweet in Chelsea’s eyes and it was important for her father.

After that was taken care of, Ray had to come up with the perfect proposal! Ray and Chelsea made a trip to Chicago, Ray lead Chelsea to believe that it was for one of his work trips that Chelsea was allowed to come on. It was the week of Chelsea’s birthday, so she was excited to take an early birthday trip. The couple spent the day on a boat tour of the city and went sightseeing.  Ray let Chelsea know that they were meeting up with a client and his wife for dinner at the Trump. When they arrived at the hotel, Ray told Chelsea that the couple was running late so they could make their way to the Terrace and grab a drink while they waited. Ray asked a waiter to take a picture of the two, and after he had taken the picture, Ray got down on one knee and proposed.  The trip was for the proposal, not for work at all! The now engaged couple sent a nice dinner together and went home a few days later to celebrate with friends and family.

Chelsea and Ray hired Ellen Westcott of Westcott Weddings to help plan and design their perfect wedding day. The couple wanted a romantic French ambiance to their wedding day with colors of navy, gray, and lots of neutrals.

After being engaged for 15 months, October 2nd finally had come! Ray and Chelsea’s closest family and friends arrived and gathered at the Green Cathedral ceremony site. The service began, and five groomsmen and five bridesmaids, as well as the flower girl, made their way down the aisle. Chelsea walked down the aisle with her father. Ray and Chelsea exchanged vows becoming husband and wife!

Once the ceremony was finished, guests headed over to the Trellis for cocktail hour. Two signature cocktails and a giant Jenga activity greeted guests at cocktail hour.

Everyone transitioned inside the Great Hall for dinner, which was served Family Style. Dancing was followed with a friend of the groom’s as the DJ for the evening. Out on the Trellis, a whiskey tasting station was opened for guests to try local libations. Moojo arrived for a late night ice cream sandwich snack.

With a traditional sparkler exit, the newlyweds ran through a tunnel of sparklers to their getaway car. Two days later, Chelsea and Ray flew to Italy for their honeymoon. For twelve days the couple toured five different cities exploring the Italian wine country, taking cooking classes, and site seeing!

Cake: Sweet Treets

Catering: CWAT

Ceremony Music: Terra Vista Strings

Coordinator: Westcott Weddings

DJ: DJ Dilly

Florist: Wild Bunches

Hair and Makeup: Sonar Beauty

Ice Cream Sandwiches: Moojo

Lighting: ILD

Linens: Marquee

Paper Goods: The Inviting Pear

Photographer: Feather & Twine

Signage: By His Grace

Venue: Ma Maison