For Helen and Eli, home has always been Dallas. It’s where they both grew up, met in middle school, and started dating in high school, so it was only fitting that the city where their love story began also became the place where they said “I do.” Their wedding weekend was a vibrant, heartfelt celebration that reflected not only their enduring connection but also their shared joy for life, family, and the people who have been part of their journey from the start.
When it came to planning, Helen focused on one simple yet powerful intention: how the weekend would feel. “I wanted everything to feel joyful,” she shared. From the vibrant pops of color at the rehearsal dinner to the moody, romantic cocktail lounge at the reception, each setting was thoughtfully designed to evoke a sense of warmth and celebration, balancing bold style with deep emotion.
Every detail of the day carried personal meaning, starting with Helen’s wedding attire. Her “something old” was her wedding band, lovingly handmade by Eli himself. In the weeks leading up to their wedding, he melted down scrap platinum in their garage, incorporating the original setting from his mother’s engagement ring. Her “something new” was a custom Monique Lhuillier gown, inspired by elements from several designs she loved across the collection. The couple borrowed their cake-cutting set from Eli’s parents, while Helen’s mother, dressed in a stunning blue gown, became her “something blue.”
Helen and Eli also infused their love story into the design in unexpected ways. One of Helen’s favorite elements was the band backdrop, which she personally sketched to mirror the cloister at Mont-Saint-Michel, the breathtaking French abbey where Eli proposed. The architectural motif became a subtle yet striking focal point of the reception, weaving their engagement story into the heart of their celebration.
Amid the excitement of the weekend, Helen recalls one image that captures everything she hoped to feel. Taken just before the ceremony began, the photo shows her and Eli sharing their final quiet moment together before becoming husband and wife. “I’ll always remember how I felt: utterly giddy yet entirely at ease,” she said.
Looking back, Helen says what made the weekend truly magical was where it all took place. “I’m so grateful that we chose to get married in Dallas,” she shared. “Every time we have dinner at José or attend mass at Christ the King, I still feel a little bit of the magic from that weekend.”
A joyful beginning, a sentimental design, and a story rooted deeply in home: Helen and Eli’s Dallas wedding was a timeless celebration of love and belonging.
