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John Cain Photography  |  Dallas TX

John Cain Photography | Dallas TX

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    • 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

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        • Forever Began in Fort Worth for Caroline & Will

          Forever Began in Fort Worth for Caroline & Will

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

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          Built to Last with Mr. & Mrs. Spradley

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          Mr. and Mrs. McKenna Married in Dallas

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          A Colorful Ranch Wedding in Celebration of the Conolys

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          Lake Countryside Meets Secret Garden

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          Haylie’s Dream Dress Inspired by Texas Wildflowers

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          Radiant in Reem Acra with Mrs. Butkus

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          Counting Down to Wedding Day with Elizabeth & Robert

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          Clara & Blake’s Story of Connection and Perfect Timing

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

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

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          Outfit Inspiration From Style Icon Kate Middleton

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          Outfit Inspiration From Style Icon Grace Kelly

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          Things We’re Loving: Mismatched Bridesmaids Dresses

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          Step Inside Blue Print’s Annual Something Blue Spring Social

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

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          A Mother’s Day Gathering in the Garden with Juliska

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          A Poolside Pink Party for Haylie Jackson

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          Spring Soireés Are Here to Stay!

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          Cocktails & Canapés for an Evening at the Rosewood Mansion

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          A Stroll through New York City with Emily and Will

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          A Few of Our Favorite Things in Lake Como, Italy

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          Romantic Guide to Nantucket

All, Destinations, Weddings

High School Sweethearts, Married in Montecito

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Who would have thought that the combination of a chance fine-arts class together and an off-the-cuff banquet date request would, a decade later, turn into a marriage? Clearly quite clued in, a young Stephanie had an inkling…

Ben and Stephanie met when she was a freshman in high school and he was a junior. They happened to be in the same dance class, and after forming a steady friendship with each other, these high school sweethearts became absolutely indivisible. After a decade of dating, Ben proposed in Santa Barbara, a McElroy family favorite destination. 

When it came time for planning a wedding, it only made sense to host their nuptials in the same, very special city in which they got engaged. Stephanie and Ben’s wedding ceremony took place on the lawn of the ever-timeless and paradigm-of-polished, Rosewood Miramar Beach. 

Stephanie and Ben were originally wed in September of 2020, amid only their closest family and friends. This secondary celebration was meant to be just that– an opportunity to truly celebrate and make merry with the McElroys.

Stephanie added a short sleeved, sheer coverlet for their subsequent 2021 ceremony, whilst maintaining the integrity of her Mira Zwillinger sheath gown she wore on their original wedding date. The floral embroidery grazing her shoulders mirrored that of her dress. She also wore a sapphire ring given to her by Ben’s mother, a gift she received from her husband when Ben was born. The bridesmaids wore coral Shona Joy dresses, which paired perfectly with Stephanie’s dress appliques as well as the adept floral arrangements by GRO designs.

The floral color story complemented the impressive setting to perfection. With dignified peach tones and unimposing pops of pinks, all was right under the California sun. All lined up in rows, rebellious dahlias and peonies made their existences known on the dining tables. 

Stephanie’s seat at the reception was marked by a placecard she had been holding on to since her freshman year of high school. Sure enough, that off-the-cuff date request meant something so much more, and even at a very young age, that was clear to her. Over a decade after that high school banquet, the very same place card marked her seat at their wedding celebration. 

Stephanie and Ben wanted their guests to feel like they were on vacation, and with “Benny’s tinis” and the late night swim caps combined, we’d say that was well accomplished. After a raucous celebration, the McElroys rode off into the Santa Barbara sunset in style. All our best to Mr. and Mrs. McElroy!

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Ballroom California Destination GRO Designs

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Credits

  • Wedding Planner

    Tracy Davy, GRO Designs

  • Ceremony and Reception Venue

    Rosewood Miramar Beach

  • Gown Designer

    Mira Zwillinger

  • Gown Retailer

    Warren Barron

  • Bridesmaid Gowns

    Shona Joy

  • Hair and Makeup

    TEAM Hair & Makeup

  • Floral Designer

    GRO Designs

Explore More

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  • Colorful Spring Engagement Portraits
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  • Stepping Out in Style
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  • Five Tablescapes by Bisette Co Inspired by Five Brides
    Destinations July 17, 2020

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  • PAIGE & WILLIAM’S WEDDING Part 01
    Destinations March 20, 2025

    PAIGE & WILLIAM’S WEDDING Part 01

  • Punchy Pops of Pink and Red
    Destinations February 12, 2021

    Punchy Pops of Pink and Red

  • Sunset on Santa Fe Engagements
    Destinations December 13, 2022

    Sunset on Santa Fe Engagements

  • Forever Began in Fort Worth for Caroline & Will
    Destinations June 27, 2024

    Forever Began in Fort Worth for Caroline & Will

  • CARILYNN PEYTON + BEN BAXTER WEDDING
    Destinations May 29, 2025

    CARILYNN PEYTON + BEN BAXTER WEDDING

  • Classic Elegance at the French Farmhouse with Mr. & Mrs. Singer
    Destinations September 26, 2023

    Classic Elegance at the French Farmhouse with Mr. & Mrs. Singer

  • Ginori Garden Party for Peyton and Trey
    Destinations June 21, 2022

    Ginori Garden Party for Peyton and Trey

  • Why Do We Have A Studio?
    Destinations March 20, 2020

    Why Do We Have A Studio?

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