For Tyler Spearman and Hayden Williams, their love story was years in the making. “Hayden and I have known each other since our freshman year of high school,” the bride shares. “I went to the sister school of his all-boys high school, and while we ran in different crowds, come to find out all these years later, we both had huge crushes on the other.”

The two stayed friends through college at the University of Oklahoma – where, as Tyler recalls, “my friends love to remind me I used to call him ‘the cutest boy at OU.’” Nearly a decade later, a casual meet-up rekindled their connection. “As the ‘Summer Beers’ flowed, I realized catching up with him after all these years felt like no time had passed,” Tyler remembers. “It sparked a relationship nearly 10 years in the making that truly gets more full every day.”

Hayden proposed at a deeply meaningful place to the couple: Zilker Park in Austin, where they’ve attended the Austin City Limits Festival together every year since 2019. “He took me by the hand as we were looking over the Austin skyline and said something along the lines of, ‘Do you want to do this with me forever?’” Tyler recalls. “Confused, I said ‘Well obviously!’ and the next thing I knew, he was down on one knee asking me to marry him. It was the most picture-perfect, out-of-a-movie engagement I could ever imagine.”

When it came time to planning their December wedding, Tyler and Hayden desired a day that was timeless, warm, and true to them. “The sentence I told every vendor we worked with when asked what the vibe of our wedding was: ‘I want this wedding to feel like the best elevated dinner party you’ve ever been to,’” shares the bride.

The pair chose the same Dallas hotel venue where Tyler’s parents were married in 1991. “We wanted a venue where all events took place at the same property, so the evening could flow seamlessly,” she explains. The Crescent Club’s rich wood interiors, bay windows overlooking downtown, and intimate setting set the perfect tone for their winter wedding.

“We wanted to choose a color scheme that was rich, romantic, and seasonally inspired, while subtly nodding to Christmas.”

With a December date, the pair leaned into the season without going full holiday. “We wanted to choose a color scheme that was rich, romantic, and seasonally inspired, while subtly nodding to Christmas,” notes Tyler. “Instead of traditional winter white, I chose burgundy and deep red tones as the heart of our floral and color palette.” Tastefully decorated Christmas trees, a guest book made of ornaments signed by loved ones, and even a surprise appearance by “The Grinch” passing out favors brought a touch of festive joy to the elegant setting.

“The florals truly made our dream venue come to life,” says Tyler. From garland-wrapped archways with velvet ribbon to a ceremony altar framed by deep red arrangements and flickering candlelight, the design evoked romance and warmth. The look continued into the reception, where tables were set with alternating centerpieces – some lush and low, others tall with candelabras and bud vases at the base – to add texture and depth.

Dinner featured a three-course meal beginning with a winter baby spinach salad, followed by short-rib ravioli, and an entrée choice of filet mignon or chicken parmesan. The four-tier wedding cake, adorned with cascading burgundy and red florals, reflected the same elegant simplicity as the décor. Family played a meaningful role throughout the wedding weekend. “We are so lucky to have such supportive families that wanted to be included in many aspects of the planning process,” affirms Tyler. Her mother collaborated with their planner and florist on design details, while her father curated the music – and later surprised her with an unforgettable moment.

“My dad has been in a rock-and-roll band all my life,” Tyler shares. “After his father-of-the-bride speech, someone threw him his electric guitar, and he played the iconic first notes to ‘Brown Eyed Girl.’ It was epic and such a surprise! Everyone joined in and it was the perfect way to kick off the night.”

The evening concluded with a private last dance that Tyler calls one of her most treasured memories. “It was the first time all night we were alone, and we were truly just overcome with emotion. It was so special and is something I would recommend to any couple getting married.”

Looking back, the bride says her best advice to others is simple: “Remember that comparison is the thief of joy. Try your best not to compare your wedding to anyone else’s – this day is about you and your husband, no one else.”

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