Mallory and Dean: A Sophisticated Southern Wedding - John Cain Photography

Mallory Richards dreamed of a classic, southern wedding–one with personal touches and sentimental details. “I wanted to make sure every single detail felt like me and Dean.” Details have a rich history for the couple who met in third grade, grew up together, and started dating in their first week of college at UT.

Mallory’s vision came to life on the sprawling green fairways of the Omni PGA Frisco Resort. Surrounded by a bridal party (her something blues) nearly as expansive as the setting itself, it’s no wonder Mallory’s favorite moments of the day were those spent with friends, family, and loved ones. “Getting ready with my mom and sister, my dad seeing me for the first time, showing my dress to my bridesmaids, and obviously when I saw Dean–those moments allowed me to take a deep breath and think, ‘Okay. This feels real.’”

The most important details of the day were tributes to loved ones. The air of southern sophistication was rooted with delicate ginger jars (her mother collects them), nods to UT football (Dean’s other true love), and thoughtful family connections (like a toasting cup engraved with family names). During the ceremony, Mallory wore an heirloom veil from Dean’s family. “Dean’s grandma wore the veil, and then Dean’s mom wore that same veil, as well as Dean’s aunt, then sister. I’ll cherish that,” she shared, especially because all four women were present. Later, for her more playful reception look, Mallory cropped and wore her mother’s veil.

If the golf course ceremony struck the perfect note of tailored elegance, the reception dazzled as it brought the outdoors in. Lush roses, soft blue hydrangeas, and twinkling trees offered the charm and magic of a Southern garden. As a show stopping centerpiece, Bella Flora suspended a tulip chandelier over the dance floor.

Of course, it was the bride and groom’s sincere joy that truly lit the evening. That, paired with the crowd’s enthusiasm and the music from Emerald City made it a once-in-a-lifetime event. “You only get to do it once,” shared Mallory, “and I wanted to pay attention to all the little things and bring them to life.”