Exactly one month ago, on October 11th, my true wedding unfolded at the picturesque White Rock Lake in Dallas, TX. While Daniel and I had already sealed our union legally almost a year prior in a quiet courthouse ceremony, this day was our heartfelt celebration, surrounded by the warmth of cherished friends, beloved family, and our wonderful new extended family. It was, without exaggeration, an absolute dream. I’m convinced there’s no way to articulate the magic of your wedding day without leaning into some classic sentiments, so yes, I’ll proudly admit: “I felt like a princess.” But this wasn’t just any fairytale; it was my very own brunch-themed wonderland.
Our unique brunch fairy land came alive with the sweet melodies of a live string quartet, antique creamers repurposed to hold aromatic coffee beans, and guests cheerfully clinking glasses filled with mimosas. Every detail was meticulously planned to reflect our personalities and preferences, even extending to my own gluten-free and paleo culinary delights, including a special wedding cake that featured my champion AIP reintroduction: eggs. Before we delve deeper into the delicious food, I wanted to share more about the incredible people and elements that made our day so special.
Capturing Every Moment: Our Visionary Photographer
First and foremost, I must extend my deepest gratitude and praise to our phenomenal photographer, Jillian Hogan. If you are anywhere near Dallas and in search of a wedding photographer, do yourself the biggest favor and look her up immediately. Jillian possesses an extraordinary talent for capturing not just images, but the very essence and emotion of the day. Her keen eye for detail, artistic composition, and ability to make everyone feel comfortable resulted in a collection of photographs that perfectly tell our story. Each picture is a timeless piece of art, allowing us to relive every smile, every tear, and every precious moment as if it were happening all over again. Her professionalism, creativity, and warm demeanor made her an absolute joy to work with, and we couldn’t be happier with the breathtaking memories she preserved for us.
Bridal Elegance: The Perfect Dress and Custom Accessories
Finding “the dress” is often a significant part of the wedding journey, and for me, it was a moment of instant connection. My gown, a stunning creation by Alvina Valenta, was actually only the third dress I tried on. I had always envisioned myself in a mermaid-style silhouette, and this particular design effortlessly combined simplicity with breathtaking elegance. The moment I slipped it on, I knew it was the one—it felt like an extension of me, perfectly complementing the graceful and intimate atmosphere we hoped to create for our brunch wedding.
To complete my bridal look, I sought out truly unique accessories that would add a personal touch. My veils, earrings, and hairpins were custom-painted in a soft yellow hue by the incredibly talented Deborah Moreland. I discovered Deborah’s artistry during a trunk show at Stardust Celebrations in Plano, TX, where I found my dress. It was an unforgettable experience to sit with her, review her exquisite sketches, and explore various color palettes, ultimately deciding on the perfect shade of yellow to complement my vision. The process of collaborating with Deborah was not only fun but also deeply personal, allowing me to infuse my unique style into every element. I honestly couldn’t have loved my veil more; it was truly one-of-a-kind and added a delicate, ethereal quality to my ensemble, making me feel every bit the princess I imagined.
Groom’s Style and Unforgettable Decor
While my attire was a focal point for me, Daniel, my wonderful husband, looked incredibly handsome and debonair in a classic black tuxedo paired with a sophisticated grey tie. His elegant simplicity perfectly complemented the refined yet relaxed ambiance of our brunch wedding. He truly made a dashing groom, radiating happiness and confidence throughout the day.
Beyond the attire, the transformation of our venue into a “brunch fairy land” was largely due to the extraordinary efforts and artistic talents of my unbelievably creative in-laws. While Lizze B’s Flower Shoppe handled our beautiful floral arrangements, the actual decor and intricate styling of the entire event were a testament to the combined genius of both my mother-in-law and my father-in-law. Their dedication and vision brought every corner of our wedding to life with personalized touches that resonated deeply with us and our guests.
Among the many delightful details, they even designed custom newspapers that served as unique keepsakes for our guests. These personalized newspapers featured adorable photos of Daniel and me as children, charming articles about our journey, and even a fun crossword puzzle. These thoughtful, intricate details were more than just decorations; they were storytelling elements that added layers of warmth, humor, and personal history to our celebration. Their artistic flair and tireless effort made our wedding truly unique and profoundly memorable, creating an atmosphere that felt deeply personal and incredibly special.
A Culinary Celebration: Health-Conscious Brunch Delights
Now, let’s talk about the food! As someone who diligently follows the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) and manages multiple food intolerances, the culinary aspect of our wedding was a significant consideration. I was determined to enjoy our special day without compromising my health or well-being. Finding the right caterer for a brunch theme was crucial, and I made it a serious point to ensure that my recent successful reintroduction of whole chicken eggs into my diet would be celebrated appropriately.
Despite my thorough planning, I didn’t take any chances on the day itself. Call me overly cautious, but I arrived with a personal cooler packed with my own carefully prepared food to enjoy before the ceremony. I was absolutely not going to risk feeling unwell at my own wedding! For my main plate, it was a perfectly balanced and delicious combination of fresh fruit, the eggs I had so carefully reintroduced, and a comforting cup of coffee. It was simple, satisfying, and perfectly suited to my dietary needs, allowing me to fully embrace the joyous occasion.
The Star of the Show: My Paleo Crepe Wedding Cake
The brunch theme provided the perfect inspiration for our wedding cake – a magnificent crepe cake. Layers upon layers of light, fluffy crepes stacked high create an impressive and elegant dessert, making it the ideal centerpiece for our brunch celebration. However, with my dietary restrictions, I faced a delightful challenge: while I wanted a “wow” factor professional cake for our guests, I needed a separate, equally beautiful, and most importantly, palatable option for myself that was gluten-free, grain-free, and paleo-friendly. And thus, my very own paleo wedding cake, crafted from delicate paleo crepes, was born.
My previous attempts at making paleo crepes, particularly those using plantains, resulted in a denser texture than ideal for a light, airy cake. So, I turned to a fantastic recipe from Empowered Sustenance for paleo crepes as my foundational base. This recipe delivered crepes that were absolutely perfect: wonderfully thin yet remarkably stable, mirroring the delicate consistency of traditional crepes. I then put my own spin on the recipe, incorporating key modifications such as using Tin Star Foods Ghee (which, in my opinion, is simply the best), adding a touch more non-dairy milk for extra pliability, and developing a luscious blueberry sauce to layer between each crepe. The result was nothing short of delicious!
My Paleo Wedding Cake : Paleo Crepe Cake
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
For the cake:
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Crepe recipe x 4
For the sauce:
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1 ½ cup
of blueberries -
3 tsp
maple syrup or honey -
1 tsp
ghee -
1 tsp
non-dairy milk
Instructions
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(TIP: Break up the batter by cutting it in half if you wish and cooking it in two batches… keep in mind this is for a larger cake!)
FOR THE CAKE:
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Follow recipe for crepes as stated in blog post and set them aside.
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When your sauce is done and cooled, spread the sauce between each layer of crepes, stacking them flat on top of each other one by one
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Finish the top with a bit more sauce and extra blueberries
FOR THE SAUCE:
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Add ingredients to a sauce pan and add to low-medium heat for about 5-8 minutes on until blueberries start to pop
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Remove from heat and let cool
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Use an immersion blender to blend the sauce
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Taste and add more sweetener to your liking
We were fortunate to have a few other gluten-free guests at the wedding, and it brought me so much joy to share my paleo wedding cake with them. It was deeply satisfying to know that others could also enjoy a delicious dessert without worrying about their dietary needs. Although my special cake was somewhat dwarfed by the larger, gluten-filled cake prepared for the majority of our guests, I honestly didn’t mind. The most important thing was that I could savor a delightful cake, crafted with care and consideration for my well-being, and it was truly, incredibly delicious. This personal touch allowed me to fully participate in every aspect of our celebration, enjoying the moment without any health concerns.
More Than Just a Wedding: A Cherished Reflection
Thank you for allowing me to share the intimate details of our special day. It truly was a dream come true, a perfect blend of elegance, personal touches, and heartfelt joy. Looking back, we are profoundly blessed. God has richly bestowed upon us incredible friends, a supportive and loving family, and, of course, the greatest gift of all: each other. Every memory from that day is cherished, a testament to the love and happiness that surrounded us.
With much love,
The Hoovers <3