Your Wedding Advice - StrictlyWeddings.com Blog

A Red Wedding – Drama! Glitz! Glamour! – Amanda Alexander & Matt McMurphy

Red! Red! Red! Who says weddings should be “Pretty and Pink” …certainly not Amanda Alexander. When she and fiancé Matt McMurphy began making plans for their March 3, 2009 wedding, visions of “Blush and Bashful” never entered Amanda’s mind. “Drama! Glitz! Glamour! Passion!” exclaimed the bride-to-be at the couple’s first meeting with DFW Events in-house Designer, Nelson Robinson, who quickly seized upon one word that seem to say it all: RED!

After their initial meeting, Nelson presented Amanda with a detailed sketch that illustrated her ideas. “He captured Amanda’s dream to perfection,” recalls Mindy Rives of DFW Events, who coordinated Amanda and Matt’s wedding. Amanda took one look at Nelson’s rendering and said, “That’s it!”

Nelson joined forces with Junior Villanueva at the Garden Gate and together they made Amanda’s ideas become reality.  The beautifully dramatic locals of Christ the King Catholic Church and The Ritz-Carlton Dallas were the backdrops for their elaborate plans.

For her own gown, Amanda found the perfect “princess dress” in a bejeweled soft white satin Kenneth Pool. It featured a strapless neckline softened by a flutter of pleated organza and mermaid silhouette. The entire gown was opulently embellished with silver and gold bullion, Austrian crystals and caviar beds.  A gown fit for a princess! She gowned her attendants in black satin, ideally suited to showcase eye popping red bouquets.

After the formal ceremony, Amanda and Matt’s guests were treated to a sumptuous five course seated dinner where the couple’s characteristically singular attention was focused on the menu.

Amanda and her design team considered every detail. The Ritz pastry chef, Morgan Wilson, created a magnificent wedding cake that replicated Amanda’s gown and was topped with a glittering marzipan M. Ornate mirrored stands supported the massive bouquets of white lilies and cascading orchids embellished with crystals tear drop votives. Stands of crystal beads extended from the ceiling. Diamantes encrusted the cake knife and server.

Luxurious red was integrated into almost every glamorous feature. An embroidered canopy hung over the expansive head tabled swathed in red linens where the bride and groom were seated on a tufted red brocade love seat. Guests danced away the evening on the red Lucite dance floor flanked by curved red silk sofas festooned with throw pillows. The band, Bullet Proof Brass, played in front of a red backdrop screen decorated with a distinctive AM monogrammed designed especially for the occasion. The monogram was repeated on the wall behind the cakes as well as the napkins and menu cards. The entire ballroom glowed red with a dramatic wash of lights.

By the time the couple made their late night getaway in a stunning vintage white Rolls Royce, every guest’s eyes glittered with the sparkle of Amanda and Matt’s perfect evening.

Source: Nina Nichols Austin Weddings

Photography by Karlish Photography

7 Comments on “A Red Wedding – Drama! Glitz! Glamour! – Amanda Alexander & Matt McMurphy”

• Deborah March 21st, 2010 7:21 am

  She looks like a Princess and he is the Prince-beautiful couple, and love the decor!

• Bonnie December 11th, 2009 3:01 pm

  Love all the RED-WOW!!

• Aunt Cheryl December 1st, 2009 10:54 pm

  and what a handsome handsome groom!

• Cassie November 29th, 2009 11:34 am

  I would love to see more of DFW Events!! I am from Miami, and getting married in Dallas next year-hope to get in touch with them. This was beautiful!

• Betsy November 27th, 2009 8:39 am

  This is Dreamy, love it all!!

• Naomi November 25th, 2009 9:46 pm

  Who could not be taken by this beautiful wedding!! I love the crystals hanging, seems like in tear drop shape-so lovely! Red, is such a warm color and a great choice for this Bride!

• Deborah November 25th, 2009 5:52 pm

  WOW, DRAMA, GLITZ is right! Red, the new Pink-thanks for sharing these wonderful photos and may they live happily-ever-after!!

Leave a Reply