Destiny has a mysterious way of making things happen, especially when it comes to meeting the love of your life. Jodi Sparrow never imagined that she and her future husband would share mutual friends, or that the two would get acquainted just two weeks before she was supposed to move to Canada for a new job. Fate took its course and after dating for some time, Kenneth Pratt was ready to take their relationship to the next level.

Knowing how much Jodi adores Paris, France, Ken decided to ask for her hand in marriage while they vacationed in the beautiful French city. As they walked along the Pont Bir-Hakeim bridge with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower in the background, Ken surprised his beloved and popped the question. The bride shares that Ken planned the most romantic proposal she could have imagined: “It was picture perfect. Literally, I have the pictures to prove it!”

The couple spent 18 months planning their fairy-tale wedding and decided to say their “I dos” in Dallas, Texas, the city they’d make their home. The color scheme of their September nuptials was decided by the blooms of the month, so they chose an elegant palette of peach, blush, and champagne as seen in their floral arrangements.

For the ceremony, Jodi wore a gorgeous Monique Lhuillier gown accentuated with sheer elements and beading. Her classic chignon was complemented with a bejeweled headpiece. Though the dress surely counted as "something new," the bride emphasized the “something old” portion of her special day. She used portions of her mother’s wedding dress to create a garter, which was also embellished with her grandmother’s brooch.

Jodi also creatively found a way to incorporate the vintage gown into the décor, using pieces as chair covers. During the vow exchange, the Pratts placed their written vows into a box that belonged to Ken’s great-grandfather. “We incorporated little bits of our heritage into almost every part of our wedding day,” said Jodi.

The reception was held in a classic country club ballroom. The high ceilings were adorned with glamorous chandeliers, which meshed beautifully with the bold, oversized centerpieces. Place settings were artfully selected and enhanced the sophistication of the space.

Guests were served an exquisite three-course meal that included a slice of the champagne-and-buttercream wedding cake. Along with a delectable dinner, a live band performed a multitude of love songs during the reception. The newlyweds slow danced to Ray LaMontagne’s romantic melody, “You are the Best Thing,” and Jodi shared a special dance with her father to a Frank Sinatra classic, “You Make Me Feel So Young.”

Despite the inevitable nerves that come with planning a dream wedding, the bride reassures other engaged couples that there are ways to reduce anxiety. “Hire a wedding planner and don’t stress about the little things... this part is key to a stress-free bride,” she said. Though it is easy to get caught up in the craziness of it all, Jodi believes that brides and grooms should enjoy every single moment of the process. “Have fun with the planning!” asserts the bride. “It goes by quickly.”