• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

ORDER YOUR COPY OF THE 2025 JOHN CAIN MAGAZINE

John Cain Photography  |  Dallas TX

John Cain Photography | Dallas TX

  • John Cain Photography
  • Why John Cain?
  • About
  • Services
  • Portfolio
  • The Mag
  • Blog
  • Inquire
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Weddings
    • At Home
        • A Charming Southern Garden Wedding for Mr. & Mrs. Dunn

          A Charming Southern Garden Wedding for Mr. & Mrs. Dunn

        • Mary and Preston’s Garden Party At-Home

          Mary and Preston’s Garden Party At-Home

        • An At-Home Celebration for Avery and Austin

          An At-Home Celebration for Avery and Austin

    • Ballroom
        • Forever Began in Fort Worth for Caroline & Will

          Forever Began in Fort Worth for Caroline & Will

        • Love in Bloom at the Las Colinas Resort

          Love in Bloom at the Las Colinas Resort

        • A Timeless Texas Wedding: Celebrating Ali and Alex’s Love in the Hill Country

          A Timeless Texas Wedding: Celebrating Ali and Alex’s Love in the Hill Country

    • Country Club
        • Built to Last with Mr. & Mrs. Spradley

          Built to Last with Mr. & Mrs. Spradley

        • Celebrating the Cohns at Brook Hollow Golf Club

          Celebrating the Cohns at Brook Hollow Golf Club

        • Mr. and Mrs. McKenna Married in Dallas

          Mr. and Mrs. McKenna Married in Dallas

    • Tented
        • A Colorful Ranch Wedding in Celebration of the Conolys

          A Colorful Ranch Wedding in Celebration of the Conolys

        • Lake Countryside Meets Secret Garden

          Lake Countryside Meets Secret Garden

        • The Wilsons’ Wedding Day at Arlington Hall

          The Wilsons’ Wedding Day at Arlington Hall

    • Bridal Portraits
        • Whitney’s Bridal Portraits

          Whitney’s Bridal Portraits

        • Haylie’s Dream Dress Inspired by Texas Wildflowers

          Haylie’s Dream Dress Inspired by Texas Wildflowers

        • Radiant in Reem Acra with Mrs. Butkus

          Radiant in Reem Acra with Mrs. Butkus

    • Engagement Portraits
        • Sundown on the Ranch with the Future Sartors

          Sundown on the Ranch with the Future Sartors

        • Counting Down to Wedding Day with Elizabeth & Robert

          Counting Down to Wedding Day with Elizabeth & Robert

        • Clara & Blake’s Story of Connection and Perfect Timing

          Clara & Blake’s Story of Connection and Perfect Timing

  • Destinations
    • Beaches
        • Back to the Bay Area

          Back to the Bay Area

        • Night One in Napa: The Matthews’ Rehearsal Dinner

          Night One in Napa: The Matthews’ Rehearsal Dinner

        • Caroline and Matthew’s Garden-Themed Rehearsal Dinner in California

          Caroline and Matthew’s Garden-Themed Rehearsal Dinner in California

    • Mountains
        • MADELEINE MORREN + ETHAN ELIZONDO WEDDING

          MADELEINE MORREN + ETHAN ELIZONDO WEDDING

        • A Ceremony Overlooking the Mountains of Colorado with Mr. & Mrs. Lapke

          A Ceremony Overlooking the Mountains of Colorado with Mr. & Mrs. Lapke

        • Up in the Mountains of Colorado with Mr. & Mrs. Duwe

          Up in the Mountains of Colorado with Mr. & Mrs. Duwe

    • Texas
        • KATE + TOMMY ATLEE’S WEDDING PART 2

          KATE + TOMMY ATLEE’S WEDDING PART 2

        • KATE + TOMMY ATLEE’S WEDDING PART 1

          KATE + TOMMY ATLEE’S WEDDING PART 1

        • KATE ADAMS & TOMMY ATLEES REHEARSAL DINNER

          KATE ADAMS & TOMMY ATLEES REHEARSAL DINNER

  • Inspiration
    • Behind The Scenes
        • Spring Cake Inspiration

          Spring Cake Inspiration

        • Get to Know Designs By Andrea

          Get to Know Designs By Andrea

        • Engagements in Florida with the future Mr. & Mrs. Hendrie

          Engagements in Florida with the future Mr. & Mrs. Hendrie

    • Fashion
        • Outfit Inspiration From Style Icon Kate Middleton

          Outfit Inspiration From Style Icon Kate Middleton

        • Outfit Inspiration From Style Icon Grace Kelly

          Outfit Inspiration From Style Icon Grace Kelly

        • Things We’re Loving: Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses

          Things We’re Loving: Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses

    • Registry
        • Step Inside Blue Print’s Annual Something Blue Spring Social

          Step Inside Blue Print’s Annual Something Blue Spring Social

        • Registry Items I Actually Love… and the Items I Could Have Gone Without!

          Registry Items I Actually Love… and the Items I Could Have Gone Without!

        • A Mother’s Day Gathering in the Garden with Juliska

          A Mother’s Day Gathering in the Garden with Juliska

    • Entertaining
        • A Poolside Pink Party for Haylie Jackson

          A Poolside Pink Party for Haylie Jackson

        • Spring Soireés Are Here to Stay!

          Spring Soireés Are Here to Stay!

        • Cocktails & Canapés for an Evening at the Rosewood Mansion

          Cocktails & Canapés for an Evening at the Rosewood Mansion

    • Travel
        • A Stroll through New York City with Emily and Will

          A Stroll through New York City with Emily and Will

        • A Few of Our Favorite Things in Lake Como, Italy

          A Few of Our Favorite Things in Lake Como, Italy

        • Romantic Guide to Nantucket

          Romantic Guide to Nantucket

All, Lifestyle

Above the Mantel with Heath of Jackson Durham Events

By:

Mary Welch

View Full Gallery Scroll Through Images

We have learned that people often place things they love on and around their mantel—a gathering space often the center of the room and home. Today, we are going “Above the Mantel” with Heath Alan Ray of Jackson Durham Events! Under Heath’s creative direction, Jackson Durham executes timeless designs and effortless sophistication in weddings and beautiful parties. This year, Heath gave W. Lovers Lane the gift of a classic Christmas because there is nothing better than a twinkling Christmas tree bedecked in red ornaments!

TELL US HOW YOUR JOURNEY WITH JACKSON DURHAM BEGAN AND WHERE IT’S HEADED:

I opened Jackson Durham in Atlanta in 2009 focused on destination event design. Over the next 3 years, we had the opportunity to work frequently in Texas. In 2012, we opened our office in Dallas and we could not be happier.  We are always sharpening our pencils and honing our tools in order to continue exceeding expectations. In terms of where we’re headed, I say the sky is the limit. I may not be a native Texan, but I certainly know ‘the stars at night are big and bright!’

WE MUTUALLY SHARE A PASSION FOR TIMELESS DESIGN. WHERE DO YOU SOURCE INSPIRATION?

Thank you, that’s a huge compliment! Recently, I’m inspired by your celadon “Sister Parish” sitting room—it’s a must see! I begin every project considering color and my go-to source for color is nature.  The seasons, what’s blooming, the colors of the sky throughout the day, that’s where I am inspired most. Of course, magazines, favored interiors, art, and travel play a huge role in the design process at Jackson Durham. Our timeless design aesthetic comes from a love of all things classic. I’ve fortunately worked in this industry for over 25 years and I’ve seen a variety of trends. I always consider “Will this stand the test of time?” when incorporating design ideas that are ‘of the moment’.

WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR FAVORITE FLORAL INSTALLATIONS TO DATE?

This is a very hard question! I’ll say this: most of my favorite Jackson Durham events incorporate things I love most and are at the heart of my aesthetic—boxwoods, hydrangeas, ANYTHING citrus, Ming Blue and White porcelain, Tuscan terra cotta… THESE are a few of my favorite things.

YOU HAVE QUITE THE GREEN THUMB! WHERE DID YOU LEARN ALL YOU KNOW ABOUT HORTICULTURE? 

That’s very nice of you to say!  I have only a limited knowledge of the world of botanicals, but what I do know comes from my love of citrus plants and trees and my very intimate relationship with Google.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOSE A SINGLE FAVORITE FLOWER WHAT WOULD IT BE?

Hands down, any garden rose.

WE LOVE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WEDDINGS AND INTERIORS. WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FLORALS TO KEEP IN YOUR HOME OR ON YOUR TABLE?

Funny enough, I have bowls of pinecones and gold-leaf walnuts all over the house, but, generally speaking, I go outside. My husband and I have been working on our garden over the past year and we are always clipping away for vases. I love to go inside a home and see things clipped from the garden. It’s just how it should be.

FOR A BRIDE AND GROOM, ANY TIPS FOR ENSURING AN EVENT HAS A UNIQUE AND AUTHENTIC PERSPECTIVE?

This is a great question I could write a book answering, but here are my top 5 topics for brides and grooms to consider when meeting with their event designer.

  • Consider the season you will wed for color palette, floral, lighting, etc.
  • Consider the compatibility of style of the venue with the style of your ideal wedding
  • Do you really want a seated dinner?
  • Color is the single most important design element to me—don’t be afraid!
  •  This is your wedding so think about you as a couple, but don’t forget to think about your guests’ experience.

WHEN YOU NEED TO ESCAPE, WHERE DO YOU GO?

While I am fortunate to say that I can pretty much escape where ever I am, but I do have a list! My top three are:

  1. Paris (anytime, any place, anywhere)
  2. Zero George in Charleston, South Carolina
  3. The Honor Bar in Highland Park Village

SPEAKING OF ESCAPE… DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE HOTEL OR GARDEN IN THE WORLD?

You’re asking all the hard questions! Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris.

LASTLY, DESCRIBE YOUR DREAM CHRISTMAS TREE AND HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME CLASSIC AND FESTIVE THIS TIME OF YEAR.

I love a classic Christmas and I like a little Christmas in every room, but you don’t want to over do it. My dream Christmas tree would be a fresh cut fraser fir filled with fresh orange clove pomanders, pinecones burnished and dusted gold, and tons of warm twinkle lights.  Around the house, orange clove pomanders piled high in a favorite bowl or platter are fragrant, beautiful, and a lot of fun to make with kids. Fresh garland gives an immediate blast of Christmas—I hang garlands with a wide double-faced red velvet ribbon tied in a shoe string bow. I also love lemon cypress, myrtle, or rosemary topiaries placed in an aged terra cotta pot. They look great on a cocktail table or bedside table for when you have guests. Paperwhites are another favorite and look beautiful in silver mint julep cups.

At Jackson Durham, we love Christmas and we love helping decorate for the season!

If you don’t already, follow @jacksondurhamevents for a daily dose of floral beauty and check out their amazing work here. 

Tags

Above the Mantel Behind The Scenes Entertaining

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Reader Interactions

Comments

Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Credits

  • Design

    Heath Alan Ray

  • Photographer

    John Cain Photography

  • Floral

    Jackson Durham Events

Explore More

  • The After “I Do” Dress
    Lifestyle March 5, 2021

    The After “I Do” Dress

  • Regal Romance at The Clifton Inn
    Lifestyle August 31, 2021

    Regal Romance at The Clifton Inn

  • A Beautiful & Colorful Bridal Brunch
    Lifestyle March 22, 2023

    A Beautiful & Colorful Bridal Brunch

  • A Few of Our Favorite Candid Moments
    Lifestyle February 3, 2021

    A Few of Our Favorite Candid Moments

  • A Few Favorite First Looks
    Lifestyle March 13, 2020

    A Few Favorite First Looks

  • Destination Locations Ideal for Engagement Portraits
    Lifestyle August 17, 2021

    Destination Locations Ideal for Engagement Portraits

  • A Night with Jordan Kahn and Company at the Ritz-Carlton
    Lifestyle March 24, 2021

    A Night with Jordan Kahn and Company at the Ritz-Carlton

  • A Few Special At Home Wedding Moments
    Lifestyle June 26, 2020

    A Few Special At Home Wedding Moments

  • Our Favorite Kiss in the Aisle Moments
    Lifestyle April 24, 2020

    Our Favorite Kiss in the Aisle Moments

  • A Modern Rendition of our Favorite Traditions
    Lifestyle January 6, 2022

    A Modern Rendition of our Favorite Traditions

  • Baby, It’s Cold Outside! Bundle Up with Bridal Fur
    Lifestyle December 13, 2019

    Baby, It’s Cold Outside! Bundle Up with Bridal Fur

  • Our Favorite Patios in Dallas
    Lifestyle April 23, 2021

    Our Favorite Patios in Dallas

@johncainphotography

Footer

Get In Touch

214.520.6771

studio@johncainphotography.com

4623 W Lovers Lane

Dallas, TX 75209

© 2020 – John Cain Photography

John Cain Photography

  • Services
  • About
  • Portfolio
  • As Seen In
  • Inquire

Blog

  • Weddings
  • Lifestyle
  • Destinations
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Spotify