Posted Wednesday, Mar. 06, 2013
Real Weddings: Hannah Scheideman and Ben Witten
Hannah Scheideman couldn't plan the Aspen wedding she dreamed of because of the opening of her doggie boutique and lounge, Wag, and the chaotic schedule that came with it. So the Fort Worth native decided to bring a touch of Aspen to Cowtown.
"I wanted it to be very indoor/outdoor, like Aspen is," Hannah says.
Ceremony
Christ Chapel Bible Church
3701 Birchman Ave.
Fort Worth
817-731-4329
Reception/Catering
River Crest Country Club
1501 Western Ave.
Fort Worth
817-738-9221
Wedding planner
Lynne Thompson, Perfect Events
817-980-2251
Flowers
Tami Winn Events & leFleur Couture
817-589-2393
Cakes
Creme de la Creme
6511 E. Lancaster Ave.
Fort Worth
817-492-8888
www.cremedelacreme
Photography
Kassie Moore Photography
817-946-3682
www.kassiemoorephotog
Bridal gown
Christos for Neiman Marcus
Reception music
Russ Hewitt
Bulletproof Brass Band
817-366-9476
Avid outdoor enthusiasts, Hannah and Ben Witten became engaged while horseback riding on a friend's ranch. Ben had Hannah stopped near a cliff overlooking Eagle Mountain Lake and suddenly Sage, her beloved Labrador retriever, appeared with a pouch carrying the engagement ring around her neck.
"He got down on one knee and she sat there with him and wagged her tail and looked at me," Hannah says. "It was perfect. He knows the way to my heart."
Sage would serve as the couple's "best dog" in their wedding.
The couple both attended Texas Christian University but didn't meet until a school mission trip to Italy brought them together.
"We literally met in a little cafe and shared a Nutella-filled crepe," Hannah says. "He said, 'Hi, I'm Ben,' and I thought 'Oh, he's so cute.'"
During the wedding service at Christ Chapel Bible Church, Ben played guitar while Hannah danced in her blush strapless tulle ball gown designed by Christos for Neiman Marcus.
Then more than 600 guests attended a black-tie reception at River Crest Country Club. A wild game-themed buffet and lots of lounge space helped accommodate the massive crowd.
"I wanted it to be elegant and refined yet relaxed," Hannah says. "People took their jackets off and danced all night, and that's what we wanted."
Following a performance of flamenco music from Ben's guitar teacher, Russ Hewitt, guests enjoyed the dance tunes of the Bulletproof Brass Band. Buffet items included pheasant and quail, a nod to Ben and Hannah's love of hunting, as well as fried chicken, beef tenderloin and twice-baked potatoes. Hors d'oeuvres included ahi tuna on wonton chips and crabcakes. Hannah wanted all items to be displayed on platters rather than chafing dishes.
"We wanted it to look more like you're at our house," Hannah says.
Aspen-inspired reception decor included aspen and birch bark, branches, pine cones, pheasant feathers and even deer antlers scattered around the room. The floral presentation was arranged by Tami Winn of Tami Winn Events & leFleur Couture and included a canopy of wreaths, leaves and florals over the family seating area.
Doors to the country club's outdoor patio remained open throughout the night and led to a fire pit and a make-your-own s'mores bar.
Pheasant feathers reappeared on the chocolate fondant-covered bride's cake, which was designed by Creme de la Creme with floral touches added by Tami Winn. It was Ben's Texas-shaped groom's cake that was vanilla, in a unique twist on the wedding cake norm.
After dancing past midnight, Hannah and Ben exited in a Porsche Panamera while the band played the TCU fight song.
Ben says, "Our top priority was to have a fun party for our guests and to honor them for their support."
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