How A Houston Wedding Planner Planned Her Wedding Day

Nov 30, 20234 min read

Updated: Feb 19

Let me tell you—being a wedding planner and planning your own wedding is a whole different ball game. I was so excited to start the process, but one of the hardest decisions we had to make right off the bat? Where the heck were we going to have it?!

We live in Texas, but our families were split between California and Indiana. After a lot of back and forth (and more “what ifs” than I care to admit), we finally decided on California since so many of our guests were already there!

From the start, we knew we wanted a venue that felt rustic, outdoorsy, and naturally beautiful without needing too much extra decor. When we found Hawk Ranch, they were still in the middle of making some updates, but I could see the vision. And let me tell you—it did not disappoint.

Since I know firsthand how overwhelming wedding planning can be (yes, even for a wedding planner 🙃), I wanted to share how I tackled my own wedding in hopes that it inspires you and makes your planning a little easier!

Finding the Perfect Color Pallete

At first, I was so sure we were going with shades of blue. My now-husband, Jacob, literally only wears blue (like, I don’t think I’ve ever seen him in another color), so it seemed like an easy choice. Plus, it would make outfit shopping super simple for everyone in the wedding party.

But then… Jacob vetoed it. Yep, the man who refuses to wear anything but blue said, “Let’s go with something more colorful.” And honestly? I’m so glad he did.

We landed on burnt orange (one of his favorite colors) and sage green, and it was the perfect mix of warmth, richness, and personality. Take this as your sign to not shy away from color on your wedding day!

My Dream Dress

Let me tell you—finding my wedding dress was a JOURNEY. Being a mid-size gal, it was so hard to envision how a dress would actually look once it was properly fitted. And honestly? It made the process feel a little overwhelming at times.

I knew I wanted something A-line with lots of detail, a boho feel, and bell sleeves (because, hello, drama ). But after trying on over 30 dresses, nothing felt just right. I was starting to wonder if I’d ever get that “OMG, this is the one” moment.

Then, I went to a bridal shop that specializes in curvy brides, and y’all… the very first dress I tried on there? IT WAS THE ONE. No second-guessing, no doubts—just pure this is MY dress energy. It needed minimal alterations—just a hem and the addition of detachable bell sleeves (because, again, drama).

So, if you’re feeling discouraged on your dress hunt, keep going. Stay true to what you love, find a shop that makes you feel amazing, and don’t settle. I promise, your perfect dress is out there—you just have to find it.

Wedding Prep

The week before my wedding? PURE. CHAOS. But in the best way possible. I went all out with the beauty prep—hair done, nails finalized, lashes, spray tan, teeth whitened. In that order. And let me tell you, I was feeling pampered.

But… let’s talk about the one thing I totally regret.

In a moment of “let’s make my hair EXTRA shiny for the big day,” I decided to try a new deep conditioner two weeks before my wedding. Bad idea. SO BAD. The moment I put it on, I felt a little tingle… then a full-on BURN. Cue the panic. Y’all, it fried my hair.

Thankfully, my amazing hairstylist saved the day with some miracle products, but let this be your big tip: DO. NOT. TRY. ANYTHING. NEW. in the weeks leading up to your wedding. Stick to what you know works, and save the experimenting for after you’ve walked down the aisle.

How to Prep for an Out-of-State Wedding

When you're planning a wedding from miles and miles away, you learn real quick that every visit counts! Since we were in Texas and our wedding was in California, we had to make the most out of every trip—which meant cake tastings, dress fittings, DIY projects, and venue walk-throughs all packed into one weekend. It was chaotic, but honestly, so much fun.

So, if you're also an out-of-state bride, here’s your pro tip: schedule all your in-person appointments for the same weekend so you can knock things out efficiently and avoid unnecessary travel stress. Trust me, your sanity will thank you!

Special Touches For Our Wedding Day

One of the BEST parts about planning our wedding? Getting to make it deeply personal to us. Every detail had meaning, every choice reflected who we are, and honestly? That made our wedding feel even more magical.

From the very beginning, I knew I wanted a wedding that wasn’t just beautiful—but one that felt like us. And if there’s one piece of advice I can give, it’s this: find ways to make your wedding uniquely yours.

Our cake topper? It had ducks on it because Jacob loves hunting.
Since trivia has always been our thing, we had a trivia game at every seat for guests to play during dinner.
We wanted an intimate ceremony, so our wedding party sat in the front row instead of standing up with us.
And because we don’t get to see our loved ones as often as we’d like, we made custom escort cards with photos of us and each guest—some baby pics, some of our favorite memories together.

It was perfectly us—and that’s exactly how it should be for you, too.

Dezarn Designs | Houston Wedding Planner

Stressed About Wedding Planning? I Got You! 💍✨

If the thought of juggling timelines, vendor contracts, and ALL the little details is making you want to elope out of sheer overwhelm—take a deep breath, because I’m here to help.

As a Texas wedding planner, my job is to take all the stress off your plate so you can actually enjoy your engagement and get excited about your big day. Whether you need full planning, partial planning, or just someone to make sure your wedding day runs flawlessly—I’ll be there to handle it all while you soak in every moment. Head over to my contact page so we can get in touch!