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As Brandaise “Brandi” Armstrong pondered the appearance of her wedding in a private club in Houston, she imagined jumping on a photo of Slim Aarons. The club itself was reminiscent of the 1960s, and that’s how she and her fiancé Bryant Reckling came up with the idea.
“It really felt like we were stepping back into the Palm Beach era of the 1960s,” says Brandi. “I wanted our guests to feel like they were in a scene from a photo by Slim Aarons.”
Brandi and Bryant went to Keely Thorne Events’ Allison Butcher to bring the vision to life. Using green, yellow, and coral, the planning team transformed the club into a 1960s party with tweed linens and a raw seafood bar from the Gulf Coast. The couple further personalized it by adding a yellow and white “Brandaisy’s Bar” with elderflower spritz and an ornate groom cake that recreated a photo of the couple’s travels in Australia. Despite all the fun and games – like dancing on stage with her parents – one of the most memorable moments came from the pastor who presided over the ceremony.
“It was the best advice I received during the whole process,” says Brandi. “Remember, this is just the wedding; The real fun starts the next day when you are married to your significant other. ”
Read on to find out all the details of the Brandi and Bryant’s Slim Aarons inspired wedding planned by Keely Thorne Events and photographed by Kristen Kilpatrick.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
The couple received guests for a casual welcome party inspired by their Texas location.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Papellerie designed the invitations that quickly set the tone of the celebration: Palm Beach in the 1960s.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Brandi got ready with her group of girls, which included her bridesmaids, mother, and grandmother, along with bubbles, personalized water bottles, and balloons from Mylar Mrs.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
“I knew this was what I imagined every time I walked down the aisle to see Bryant, it was the dress I was in,” Brandi says of her Oscar de la Renta dress.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Before the ceremony, Brandi added a veil to her look that her grandmother had handcrafted for her. She also wore a “something blue,” an opal pin from her great-grandmother attached to the back of her dress, and as a “something borrowed,” she wore her mother-in-law’s wedding handkerchief.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
She added a touch of color to her floral print shoes from the collaboration between Tabitha Simmons and Johanna Ortiz.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Brandi’s bridesmaids all wore dusty pink dresses by Australian designer Shona Joy, another nod to the couple’s time Down Under.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
According to Brandi, the guest list was “hands down” the hardest part of the planning process. The final number of guests was 373.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
The ceremony took place in front of the clubhouse, with the property’s old trees serving as a natural backdrop.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
I was so excited to finally be married to Bryant that I jumped up and down the altar.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
After walking down the aisle next to her father, Brandi exchanged traditional vows with Bryant, who wore a white tuxedo and a wise green bow tie. “I was so excited to finally be married to Bryant that I jumped up and down the altar,” says Brandi. “I still think how excited and happy I am that I got to marry him.”
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Brandi and Bryant met in Greek life at Texas Christian University. After seeing each other socially for a few weeks, the two went to the cinema on an official date. “After that we were boyfriends and girlfriends,” says Brandi.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
The cocktail hour took place by the pool, where divans like cabanas were set up on the terrace so that guests could sit with a drink. The couple had two signature bars, a tequila and a cigar bar in honor of Bryant and a “Brandaisy’s Bar” that served elderflower spritz.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
In the decor of the reception, the inspiration of Palm Beach took center stage. The tables were covered in a custom tweed tablecloth that featured a green, yellow, and coral color scheme. Low arrangements included white orchids, and yellow highlights added to the charm.
Brandi and Bryant jointly own the True Craft Market and Catering, so the menu was certainly a priority. In addition to the raw food bar with Murder Point oysters and shrimp cocktail, the couple served beef fillet, jalapeno cheese grains and almonds with green beans. According to Bryant, Brandi also insisted on a bread bar that no one could blame her for! It contained baguettes as well as cheese and spreads.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
The couple spun on the dance floor for “Just to Be Close to You” by The Commodores. “I just wanted to make sure the dancing never stops,” says Brandi of her band Big Beyond.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
They also distributed milkshakes as snacks on the dance floor.
Photo by Kristen Kilpatrick
A favorite memory? “After the bouquet was thrown, Bryant and I danced to ‘Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)’ and it was so much fun having all of our friends sing along,” says Brandi. The couple later jumped into a classic car adorned with The Recklings – just like in the 1960s.