let’s get this party started… Well, friends I know I said it was a big year and it truly was. I am on cloud nine as I share this cherished moment with such special people (that would be you). In August, I was lucky enough to get engaged to my favorite person in the world, Bret Sano. We had a super busy fall and our families + friends were constantly asking us for a date and a plan. So! the week before Christmas decided to elope! We were married on New Year’s Eve in Glen Rose, Texas and all the fun and photos are below. Originally when we made this decision we weren’t going to share the photos with anyone but family but they turned out so darn cute and it was tons of fun so I had too! Can’t imagine a better way to kick off 2010. Very blessed and looking forward to the future.
**Sorry for not posting photos about the farm or the winner of the giveaway. I’ll post the winner on Tuesday (tomorrow) and promise to share photos of my family’s farm soon but today I thought we would focus on this special moment.**
Oh, and my apologies in advance this is a long post…
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lovely lunch
We thought it would be fun to grab a quick bite before we headed out but we knew we needed to go somewhere a little “fancy”. We decided to dine at the amazing holiday buffet at the Zodiac in the downtown original Flagship Neiman Marcus. This particular store is very special to me as I have worked with NM for many years, the store is full of 100+ years of history and I actually found my dress there after many hours of searching (at the 11th hour!) the day before.
I truly thought we would sneak in and out and that the dear friends I know who work at NM Corporate would be gone for the holiday… Not so much. The store is glamorously furnished for the holidays, full of sparkling decor and beautiful moments are all throughout. The elevators open on the 6th floor and voila! the lovely Jeny Bania, downtown PR manager immediately greets us. I crack up, she can not believe we are eloping — I said “Well, I don’t normally dress like this or wear a feather in my hair!”
We are ushered to our seats and low and behold my wonderful friend Kim Donlon is literally seated at the table beside us!! So much for secretive! Could not have been more perfect, fun and funny. Here we are, all dolled up, running into all kinds of people– Hysterical. And then to top it off, we ran into the talented and gorgeous photographer Allison V. Smith (who also happens to be the granddaughter of Stanley Marcus AND her wedding is currently featured in this month’s FD Luxe). It was all very serendipitous.
Love this comfort cup that you are greeted with filled with yummy buttery chicken broth and a mini cheddar biscuit. Oh the fine food of Neiman Marcus, how I love you… Every bite was delicious.
DESSERT!! Precious mini ice cream cones and mini donuts. Yum. Pure happiness.
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easy rainy drive
Off to Glen Rose which is a couple of hours outside of Dallas…it was a rainy cold day but we had a great time and thanks to our iphones we watched The Hangover.
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cozy little ceremony
And we have arrived! We were originally planning on the Justice of the Peace in Dallas but we went to check it out while getting our license and …honestly, we thought it would be fun and funny but let’s just say we wanted something a little more quaint, a little less, um, crazy (we’re all stocked up on crazy here).
The county of Somervell sounds like something out of the 50’s to me and I love that. In the courtroom was literally the two of us, Judge Dwayne and Judge Webb (who became our photographer). It was super sweet, lickity split fast and perfect for us.
Peonies, my favorite. I made a little bouquet and a boutonniere for B.
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wedding night bliss
After the ceremony we headed out to Rough Creek Lodge for the night, which I will do a full post about very soon, in Iredell, Texas. It’s a fabulous resort with ridiculous food and a vast array of activities.
I bought a couple of chalkboards and had recently painted this old tray with chalkboard paint so that was kind of fun.
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headed back to the Big D
Since the day before was so yucky, I convinced Bret to dress back up because I really wanted photos to share with our family. And I’m so glad he did… these are my favorites. We both knew our parents would have preferred to have been there but since they weren’t we thought if we took plenty of photos they would feel like they made the journey with us. These photos were taken on the way back to Dallas.
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our happy home
When we got back — again freezing — we took a quick photo in front of our house. It’s so 1950’s Good Housekeeping don’t you think??
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fab furry family
And then the final photos… our kids!! We have a blended Brady Bunch family of my two dogs and Bret’s two dogs AND YES, it’s crazy. Every day. All day. I was determined to get a photo with everyone. Keep in mind that either Bret or I are running into the picture after setting the timer on the camera. This is our life!!
photo credits: Jeny Bania, Kim Donlon, Judge Webb, the kind valet at Rough Creek, Samantha Sano, Bret Sano
how lovely! congrats to you two! i especially love the pup family pics! and the chalkboards… just looovely!
CONGRATUUUUUULATIONS YOU SWOONY TWO OF YOU!!!!! Fabulous and in love - two of the greatest things in life! So happy for you and of course lovin the oh so cool photography Mr. Sano!!
Cheers!!
We are so very happy for you both. Congrats and all good things for both of you and a lifetime of happiness!
What a way to start the new year! Congratulations!
I’m a big fan of marriage, the two of you are off to a great start. Congratulations!
Congratulations Sam! So happy for you guys!!
congrats! love the pics, thanks for sharing :)
Pops is so proud, Bret welcome to the family, I now have 2 sons and 2 daughters, and 1 granddaughter, 6 granddogs. There is something special about watching you family grow. I am a very lucky Dad
Pops
Bob and I wish you all the best….
Your parents are delighted.
Hamie was not able to attend.
You must include him in the next photo shoot !
Love you,
Anna Mae,
Neighbors of Rex and Saundy
Grace and remembrance be to you both.
William Shakespeare
What fantastic and exciting news!!! Just wonderful and romantic. Love the pictures and your hairy children are adorable …. feelin’ the love all over the place!
Best always,
Narda
Um….WOWSIE! Congratulations to you both! Much, much love!
Wow!! What an adventure! Love all the photography- especially the ones with your fur kids! Congratulations! I’m very happy for you both!
That FB post about best New Year’s EVER had me wondering what was up — now I know!!! Congrats and much, much happiness to you both. This big fan of marriage is also a big fan of YOURS!!!
Congratulations to both of you. Can’t think of a nice couple than the 2 of you.
congrats! those mr and mrs chalkboard photos are fantastic!
That’s what I am talkin’ about….congratulations!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Congratulations to you both!
I am so excited and have eyes full of tears over these photos!
Just. Awesome.
Love you!
I am so delighted for you, Sam. You sound as happy as a clam (whatever that’s
supposed to mean). Isn’t there some kind of saying…Good things come to those who
wait.? May your whole future be as close to heaven sent as is possible.
Wow! And you’re officially known as Samantha Sano! Best wishes forever and ever. I’m so glad Jennifer W. and I had the good fortune of bumping into you two at lunch. Love, love, love you two.
so happy for you two! your family pictures are so sweet!
What a great New Years for both of you! Congrats on the nups! Glen Rose is great, eh?
Mike Williams
Happy, happy, happy! Congratulations. You are both so deserving. Can’t wait to see what the future has in store for you.
Wow! Happy Congrats!!! I was in Hamilton, stones throw from Rough Creek
Lodge - passed it on New Year’s Eve and felt some sort of “glow” . . .
now I know why!
Love you Sam, my warmest regards to you both.
Nancy Vencevich
Congratulations and lots of love to you both!!
It’s so perfectly you and Bret. I’m really thrilled and happy for you two and for our family!!! Welcome, Bret and puppies!
I can’t believe it! I’m so happy for you guys. Excellent news and looks like an amazing adventure. Kind of puts things into a great perspective. Agreed with Aileen that “good things come to those that wait.” You guys deserve each other. Many blessings and good tidings to both of you in your future.
Geoffrey
Sooooo happy for you both. Sam, welcome to our crazy family. Hope to see lots of you in the coming years. Y’all better come see me when you’re in San Antonio. I have my ways of getting even you know. LOVEEEEEE your dogs!!!
Love ya both, Aunt Dasa
*tear* This story couldn’t be more perfect. Congrats to you both.
PS I love to dog-sit
A happy marriage is a new beginning of life…here’s wishing you a lifetime of beautiful memories together. God bless!
p.s. - Sam…love the shoes ;-)
I am so lucky to have shared in the journey (10+ years in the making!) that led you two to each other! You could not be better suited for one another & I cannot wait to share in the many years of happiness stretched out before you! Much love for you both! Congratulations!
love the peonies… LOVE the shoes… adore the pictures!
Congratulations to you both!!!!
& feather corsage is fab!
Congratulations!! Couldn’t be happier for the two of you!
You two look so happy. What a great way to do it. Congrats!
CONGRATS!!!! So happy for you guys! And what a perfect way to celebrate - good food and each other! The pictures are incredible…my fave is the family photo - too cute! Hope that I get to see you soon and give you a congratulatory hug!!!
annie
congratulations! what a dreamy and romantic way to get married! your smiles say it all - so happy for you!
Congratulations!!! Love the family photos with your beautiful pups!
Yea! : ) Now you’re really my sister-in-law, and not someone I just refer to that way. Heehee!
Congrats - You are a perfect pair!
Thank you everyone for such sweet comments today!!! Bret and I have really enjoyed hearing from all of you. I love comments on the blog but these were extra special. We’re so fortunate to have each of you in our lives!!
xo,
SS
congratulations sam!!! you two make a beautiful couple together!!! you look gorgeous in all your pictures!!!
Great photos! Congratulations & best wishes.
My hubby & I got married by a judge in downtown Dallas in 1981. It was perfect then and now. I wish for you the same, many years of happiness.
Sam I could not be any happier for the two of you - what amazing pictures!! Cannot wait to hear all the little details on Wednesday!! Wishing you all the best!!
YAH! Congrats!!! Jess told me over the weekend….so happy for you! What an awesome way to start out the new year! :) Love your pics!
Congratulations Mrs Sano! Long life and happiness to you both! Happy New Year!
I love this post!!
But I lost it when I saw your amazing furry family. Those doggies are out of control cute!!
I can’t wait to be friends! xo avs
Congratulations Sugar! That is the way to do it! Many many blessings on a wonderful marriage!
Sam and Bret -
I am SO thrilled for you both. Congratulations. I wish you a wonderful life together filled with love and happiness. One T - you are a lucky man. xoxoxoxo
wow, CONGRATS!!! i just recently got engaged and wedding planning has been somewhat stressful - i am so inspired to just do this! ;) love your blog..
+ your dogs are beautiful by the way. xo.
Okay, my sweet precious friend, who has been like my little sister who I have guarded and guided since you got to Dallas…..I just saw this and cried tear of sweet joy for the both of you!
(yes i’m a sap) but I feel like I have helped nurture and this one! And Bret, like I’ve said to you since the beginning….you BOTH deserve each other and and CONGRATS !!!!!
CHEERS………….
Congrats! Thanks so much for sharing!