A Southwestern DIY Wedding at a Private Residence in Waco, Texas

Texas bride Melinda Norton (25 and an office manager) and Arizona groom Bryce Norton (26 and a powersports parts manager) hosted a wedding full of Southwestern flair. “The theme of the wedding took the two places where we are from and mixed them into what I call ‘Texzona,’” Melinda says. The couple got married on Melinda’s grandparents’ ranch located on the Brazos River outside of Waco, Texas. “We chose this because we wanted an outside wedding, and the property has beautiful rolling hills with a pond in the background,” the bride says. The wedding was full of DIY details: The bride’s family built the wooden ceremony benches, aisle and wedding arch from cedar trees on site. The bride crafted a guest book on a piece of leftover cedarwood and potted succulents in candle jars for each guest's place setting and wedding favor. Rosetree Floral Design created light, springtime floral arrangements incorporating succulents and cedar wood atop each peach and lace-topped cable spool table. “The lace and wood was the Texas style coming through, and the succulents in the floral arrangements was the Arizona style,” Melinda says. Lily’s Cakes brought these ideas into focus in the stunning wedding cake display: The couple had a four-tier peach cake with lace and succulent accents, as well as an Arizona cake for the groom. For future DIY brides, Melinda offers her tips for the taking: “I planned my whole wedding from start to finish and had a day-of coordinator (Posh Events) to make sure everything ran smoothly. My advice is to ask for help when you can, and don’t be afraid to let others help you! You will feel less pressure, and others will be excited to help you!” See the details captured by Shelly Taylor Photography.