Caroline Smith and Jake Douglass first crossed paths during their time at Texas A&M. “We both knew of one another for the first couple of years of college, but did not become friends until junior year when we were both in the same accounting program,” Caroline recalls. “I promise we aren’t nerdy, though,” she smiles.

Years later, Jake proposed on the very lawn where they would later celebrate their reception. “Horseshoe Bay is such a special place to me as my family has had a house there since before I was born, and it has also become a special place to Jake,” the bride shares. He proposed right on the water then surprised his new fiancée with all of their family and friends at a post-engagement celebration, followed by a long weekend on the lake.

Caroline and her mother, along with their wedding planner, took the lead on planning the dream day. “It was honestly so fun and a time I will always cherish,” says Caroline. “We met so many amazing people along the way and most will be lifelong friends.”

On the day of the spring wedding, the couple exchanged vows in a traditional church ceremony before welcoming 330 loved ones to the lakeside lawn for a tented reception that blended refinement with revelry. “We both wanted a church wedding ceremony and then the lawn over the lake for the reception was a no-brainer!” Caroline shares.

The décor captured the bride’s vision for a celebration that was both timeless and fresh. “I wanted something that was timeless, refined, and elegant, yet fresh and fun since it was April on the lake,” she describes. “I also wanted something that I had not seen on Instagram a million times. From the beginning, I knew I wanted everything to be pink. What started out as blush pink, turned into all shades of pink, and I could not have loved more how it turned out!”

“I wanted something that was timeless, refined, and elegant, yet fresh and fun since it was April on the lake.”

Throughout the nuptials, the florals were a focal point. “We fell in love with the look of cherry blossom trees and completely ran with it. I loved the idea of the tree growing up from the ground then taking over the ceiling completely,” says the bride. “Once again, this was something I had never seen done and [our floral designer] executed this vision perfectly.”

Caroline also knew she wanted a hydrangea bar, so they had a large hydrangea waterfall off the bar on the deck over the lake. “This took on a more fun and playful element,” she adds, noting she was also obsessed with the hydrangeas coming out of the umbrellas on the deck.

The reception menu featured lively action stations including barbecue, carved tenderloin with shrimp and grits, and sushi with fried rice and egg rolls for an immersive experience for guests. On the sweeter side, the pair’s wedding cake took design cues from Caroline’s gown.

The couple also added surprises throughout the celebration to make the day feel distinctly theirs. “We had a gospel choir come in at the end, and it was the most fun surprise. I have always dreamed of having a gospel choir at my wedding, so it was a surreal and fun moment!” the bride shares.

As the evening drew to a close, guests gathered on the lawn to send the newlyweds off. “The send-off in the Chris-Craft boat with the fireworks above our heads and seeing all of our guests on the lawn” was the most memorable moment of the day for the bride. Looking back, she affirms there is nothing she would change.

Her advice for other couples: “Build a vendor team that you truly trust and get along with. This will make all of the difference in alleviating stress and allowing yourself to enjoy the process. It really is a fun and exciting, but it flies by so savor it, even during the crazy.”

For Caroline and Jake, their wedding was more than a celebration, it was a once-in-a-lifetime gathering of everyone who matters most to them. “I think what makes the day so unique is that it is the only time in life where everyone from all stages of your lives come together in one place at one time. It is truly a once-in-a-lifetime event.”