When weddings are your day job, it can be a wild ride when the time comes to plan your own. Brittany had worked at Olde Dobbin Station, and as a planner through her own company, Uniquely Set Events, for several years when mutual friends introduced her and Aaron. It didn’t take long before she knew he was the one for her.

I was lucky to be one of Brittany’s first calls when she was planning her wedding. We’d worked together at a wedding in 2020 and our energy was a perfect match. We’re both very organized and actively enjoy the work that goes into making a wedding go smoothly. That, and we laugh at the same crazy things that happen sometimes.

Getting ready at the Little White Farmhouse

The morning of the wedding, Brittany and her Bridesmaids and House party rented the Little White Farmhouse, an AirBnB close to Olde Dobbin Station that routinely hosts wedding parties. There the women had the space to spread out, and get their hair and makeup done. Day-of delicacies provided food and refreshments—a crucial wedding morning necessity that often gets forgotten.

Preparations at Olde Dobbin Station

The bridal cottage at ODS is the perfect place to put the finishing touches on your bridal look. I photographed Brittany’s personal details there before the wedding party arrived, and then we got ready for the first look with her parents and first touch with Aaron.

First Touch and First Look with Parents in the Chapel

For the uninitiated, a “First Touch” is a special moment where the bride and groom connect before the ceremony, but without seeing each other in their wedding attire, so they can save that moment for the aisle. The chapel door at ODS is the perfect spot for the first look because both partners can be photographed in the beautiful even daylight, but the risk of accidentally catching a glimpse is almost zero. These two read letters to each other and held hands for a few emotional moments.

Brittany and Aaron also each spent a few special moments with their parents in the chapel.

Pre Ceremony Portraits

On this January day in Houston, we had to manage rain throughout the afternoon, so we took advantage of the outdoor light by posing the bridesmaids under the awning, while I trudged out in the rain with my weather-resistant cameras to get the shot. Also since the couple didn’t want to see each other before the ceremony, this is when we took the time to photograph their substantial wedding party separately.

Brittany’s bridesmaid Meghan is her partner at the event planning company Uniquely Set Events and the two of them have managed many an event together at ODS and around Texas. In the event industry it’s hard to turn it “off.” When they saw the dining room decor for the first time, they couldn’t stop themselves from adjusting the chairs as they walked through.

Brittany had a bridal party and a house party to accommodate the many friends she wanted by her side on her wedding day. Who can blame her, she’d been in most of their weddings. In fact, Brittany has been in so many of their weddings over the years, she brought all her bridesmaid dresses and incorporated them into the decor. Each friend posed for a photo with the bride holding the dress she’d worn to their wedding. I love this touch—straight out of a RomCom.

Ceremony in the Chapel

In Texas, I find it’s essential that your venue has a good indoor option for your ceremony, which is one of the things Olde Dobbin station does best. The historic rail station oozes charm in a French-countryside meets light industrial way. The chapel building holds a ton of people comfortably, and was essential in making everyone comfortable on this chilly, rainy January day. (ODS also has an outdoor ceremony space if weather permits).

Reception Details

One thing you know for sure is going to be epic when a wedding planner gets married, and that’s the details. Monica’s Brides absolutely crushed the florals, and Love Birds & Co ensured the space was comfortable for everyone—and don’t even get me started on the cake from Bavarian Cakery. (A complete list of vendors and their websites is at the bottom of this page).

The seating chart (provided by Junk in Love) contained a personal letter to each guest from Brittany and Aaron. I can’t think of a more thoughtful way to welcome your nearest and dearest to your wedding.

Portraits Outside after the Ceremony

Fortunately for all of us, the rain stopped just in time to photograph the wedding party and the couple outside by Olde Dobbin Station’s signature vine-covered buildings. This particular spring the vines were recovering from a rare Texas winter freeze. Personally, the vines at ODS are my favorite part, and I’m impressed how good they still look even when the weather wasn’t ideal.

The Perfect end to a Perfect Day

As the sun set, the guests were treated to a cozy reception filled with heartfelt speeches and an excellent dance party. Brittany and Aaron’s group of friends is both large and extremely tight knit. I got the sense that everyone who was there had been looking forward to this day for a long time. Brittany’s bridal mini-dress and custom sneakers decked out with pearls almost outshined her primary bridal look.