When Matt Turney finally got the nerve to ask Kamryn Turney on a date—they’d met at a Dallas Stars hockey game and become friends first—neither of them could predict how unforgettable it would be. “My niece, Skylar, was born during our first date, making it memorable indeed!” Kamryn says.
A year to the day later, Matt proposed at Kamryn’s family’s lakehouse in Virginia. That was a family affair, too. “It was really special because my grandfather built the house by hand, and he had passed away the year before,” Kamryn remembers. “Matt popped the question on the dock and had both of our families hiding upstairs, ready to celebrate. We did a Champagne toast and took a sunset boat cruise. It was the best day!”
The Dallas duo knew they wanted to get married in the city they fell in love in (and still live in). “But we were struggling to find a [venue] special enough, and the idea popped up to have it at Matt’s parents’ house,” Kamryn remembers. “I have always loved the movie Father of the Bride, so that was my inspiration. I wanted everything to be elegant but understated, and I leaned into the coastal chic-meets-Texas aesthetic.” They enlisted planner Ashley Bonner of Ash Event Co. and the innovative floral team behind Jackson Durham to bring the vision to life. Eric Kelley was behind the lens all weekend.
Kamryn searched far and wide for the perfect dress, even traveling to New York City to look. But ultimately, she found the dress in Dallas at Stanley Korshak. “I probably tried on more than 100 dresses before I found the one,” she says. “I worked at a bridal salon for years, and so I have seen and tried on a lot of wedding dresses—and yet when it came time for my own wedding, I had no idea what I wanted.” When she tried on a strapless dress by up-and-comer Yaniv Persy, though, “I knew it was my dress as soon as I put it on,” she says.
“For beauty, I had the absolute privilege of working with Italo Gregorio,” Kamryn continues. “He has done hair and makeup for every big supermodel and celebrity, and so I just trusted him. Over the course of the weekend, he created three distinct and fabulous looks.”
On May 11, 2024, the groom’s parents’ backyard gardens were transformed with lush white florals for a stunning outdoor ceremony. “I walked down the aisle to the string quartet version of our song, ‘Golden Hour,’” Kamryn says. “We were married by my brother-in-law, and we said our own vows for the first time in front of everyone, which was very emotional. We made sure to look around at the crowd of our closest friends and family throughout the ceremony to capture all of the love and emotion!”
Elsewhere on the property, a steel-and-glass tent was erected for the reception. Lush greenery hung from the ceiling, creating a greenhouse effect; outside, trees towered overheard. Rattan chairs and textured tablecloths offered tactile details.
Guests were seated for a three-course meal of Caesar salad, branzino and beef tenderloin and carrot cake. “Art2Catering did an incredible job of keeping the courses running smoothly and timely, as I wanted the majority of the reception to be a dance party,” Kamryn says. “Élan Artists’s band, NOLA Band, was the entertainment. We wanted a big dance band with a lot of horns, and they kept the energy high throughout the night.”
The newlyweds kicked things off with a first dance to “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)”—but it was another song that really got the energy up. “My favorite part of the reception was when the confetti cannons went off during ‘Mr. Brightside,’ and how everyone was so surprised and excited,” Kamryn remembers. “It was a blast and a memory I will never forget.”
Then, even the groom was surprised as cold sparklers erupted down the driveway as the couple made their dramatic sendoff exit. “We had our driver take us to the hotel where our guests were staying to surprise them!” the bride says. “We all had a nightcap and pizza and recapped our favorite moments of the night.”
