Whitney Brooke Owen and Eric Paul Nixon were united in marriage on June 11th, 2011 during a 6:30 pm outdoor ceremony at the Windmill Ranch Preserve in Snyder. The double-ring ceremony was officiated by Reid Johnson, high school friend of the bride.
The bride is the daughter of Tim and Trussha Owen of Snyder. She is the granddaughter of Truss and Juanita Farquhar of Snyder and Edna Owen of Post and the late Ben Owen.
The groom is the son of Carl and Nancy Nixon of Idalou. He is the grandson of Letha Nixon of Lubbock and the late Lewis Nixon and the late Ed and Marjorie Cook.
The guests were seated by Marc Owen, cousin of the bride from Abernathy, Ralph Ramon, cousin of the bride from Lubbock, Chad Arnwine, friend of the couple from Snyder, David Cowan and Luke Ford, cousins of the groom from Lubbock while music from the Big Band Era played. The family was seated to Can’t Help Falling in Love by Elvis. The bridesmaids and groomsmen entered to the fun, upbeat Beatles song, All You Need is Love. The flower girls then stole the show as they entered to Chapel of Love by the Dixie Cups.
The bride made her grand entrance to I’m A Believer by The Monkees and was escorted by her father. She wore an ivory Galina Bridal ball gown with a sweep train that was reminiscent of the 1950s. The dress had a strapless sweetheart bodice with a bow and brooch set at the empire waist line. The bride also wore a yellow cardigan with ruffle detailing. The bride wore two different pairs of shoes throughout the day. One was a vintage inspired yellow pump by Seychelles. The second pair was a B.O.R.N. ivory flower embellished ballet flat. For the ceremony, the bride wore a new ivory birdcage veil that just brushed her face and then later changed into a vintage yellow party hat with an attached yellow birdcage veil. To complete her ensemble, she wore a vintage gold and pearl necklace and earrings that was borrowed from her aunt, Kelly Farquhar of Snyder. She also wore a gold watch locket, which once belonged to her great grandmother, Nancy Carson Farquhar. The bride’s makeup was done by professional makeup artist, Ali Cox of Head to Toe Message Therapy in Snyder.
The bride carried a bouquet with a mixture of gerbera daisies, yellow and coral roses, hypernicum, crown aster, stock, larkspur, delphinium, bear grass, bupleurum, mini carnations and solidago wrapped with a cream satin ribbon. She also carried a vintage floral handkerchief. Marsha Jordan of Colorado City, long time friend of the bride’s family, created all the floral arrangements.
Kara Gowin, friend of the bride, served as Maid of Honor while Vanessa Arnwine, friend of the bride, served as Matron of Honor. Other attendants were Tamra Cumbie, Holly Goebel and Lisa Britton all friends of the bride from Lubbock as well as Somer Owen of Abilene and Kendall Owen of Snyder, sisters-in-law of the bride. The ladies were attired in assorted white sleeveless, ruffle embellished blouses. They also wore full, circle skirts inspired by a vintage day dress pattern that were designed and created by Juanita Farquhar, grandmother of the bride. The skirts were created in various fabrics from Amy Butler and Heather Bailey and were all worn at the natural waist line. Petticoats in assorted colors and short gloves were worn by all the bridesmaids while several girls also paired a thick belt in either brown or black. Each bridesmaid chose their shoes to fit the personality of their skirts. They wore jewelry that were gifts from the bride. Their flowers played off the personality from their skirts so that each bouquet was unique to them. Their bouquets were also wrapped with coordinating ribbon and a vintage handkerchief.
The flower girls were Avery and Brently Owen of Abilene and Riley and Trusslynn Owen of Snyder, all nieces of the bride. They were attired in white lace camisoles and ruffled cardigans in assorted colors of yellow, pink and purple. The girls also wore circle skirts in assorted Amy Butler fabrics created by Juanita Farquhar and paired with coordinating petticoats and sandals. They carried miniature bouquets of mini carnations and baby’s breath that coordinated with each of their skirts.
The groom was attired in a long sleeve, button down American Living shirt in turquoise gingham with an Amy Butler bowtie handmade by the bride and several family members. He also wore flat front, khaki Dockers with a brown belt and suspenders. To top off his assemble, he wore a brown fedora hat.
Ross Nixon of Idalou, brother of the groom, served as best man. Groomsmen included Adam Nixon of Idalou, brother of the groom, Tommy Welch of Hurst, friend of the couple, Ty Tyson of Brownwood, Texas, friend of the groom, Adam Owen of Abilene and Cade Owen of Snyder, brothers of the bride. They all wore khaki Dockers paired with long sleeve, button down American Living shirts in various colors of turquoise, royal blue, yellow, pink and purple gingham with an handmade Amy Butler bowtie. They also wore brown fedora hats. Their boutonnieres coordinated with the bridesmaids’ flowers that each groomsman escorted.
The couple exchanged traditional vows in the garden area of the Windmill Ranch Preserve in the direction of the West Texas sunset. Three antique doors in the colors of pink and green were hung from a tree to represent the couple’s altar. Vintage floral fabric was also spread at the altar for the wedding party to stand on. Additional old doors and windows of other various shapes and sizes from the bride’s and mother of the bride’s personal collection were placed throughout the garden.
During the ceremony, a welcome of guests, presentation of the bride and a covenant of marriage were addressed to the couple. After exchanging rings, a prayer and presentation, the entire wedding party left with the recessional of Love and Marriage by Frank Sinatra.
Ashley Ramon and Piper Owen, cousins of the bride of Lubbock, registered guests and distributed wedding program fans. An old farm table served as the registry table. A red vintage suitcase was propped open to hold the wedding program fans. They also assisted guests in submitting their vote to name the couple’s first child into an antique ballot box that was set on top of a short, architectural column. An antique Royal typewriter box was positioned to the side with an old typewriter propped on top. A blue retro tandem bike was set up against a wire fence next to the registry table. Vintage linens and old cameras were also placed around the entrance as well as a large chalkboard with special artwork by Gentry Adams, cousin of the bride of Abernathy.
A reception was hosted by the bride’s parents in the garden and in the pavilion. Both reception areas were decorated with round and rectangular tables covered with burlap and topped with vintage linens. A mixture of antique chairs and white garden chairs were used throughout both areas. Every table had its own unique appearance with assorted vintage dishes, glassware and flatware. Floral arrangements in assorted antique glass containers and pottery were also placed on each table. Various antique finds, such as the bride’s collection of cameras were placed on each table as well as books from the bride’s mother. A special table was also set up to display the bride’s bridal portraits and the dress that the bride’s mother wore on her wedding day.
Family and guests were offered a Texas style buffet prepared by Dennis and Rhonda Taylor of Ira and Pam Hall, aunt of the bride of Graham. The meal included brisket, sausage, red beans, potato salad, coleslaw, rolls and mixed condiments. The couple was presented to the guests and honored with a toast from the maid of honor, father of the bride and Amy Shackelford, cousin of the bride from Fort Worth.
The bride’s table held a five-tiered lemon cake with citrus cream cheese icing that set on top of a silver pedestal and placed on a round, vintage mirror. The bottom tier had pink, layered ruffles while fourth and second tiers were smooth with white icing. The third tier had a white base with a dragging effect done in yellow with small, assorted edible colored pearls. The top tier had a white, smooth surface with assorted sizes of rolled marzipan dusted in pastel hues. The cake was topped with Lori C. Mitchell’s vintage inspired Wedding Belle and Lucky Fella figurines. A large floral arrangement with an assortment of flowers in a cream, McCoy vase was also placed on the table. Above the table, three open frames in green, pink and aqua were suspended from the ceiling. Amy Shackelford of Fort Worth and Dana Burgess of Graham, cousins of the bride, served the bride’s cake. The bride also had a candy bar, which sat adjacent to her cake and was placed on an antique oak table. The bride chose to serve an assortment of favorite candy from her childhood in a variety of antique containers. Guests were able to fill up their treats in green and white striped paper sacks. The bride also designed a printed canvas that hung above the table. A large textile piece with vintage inspired handkerchiefs was hung as a backdrop.
The groom’s table was covered with a burlap table cloth and decorated with math, science, physics and engineering books. A large, metal ‘N’ and ‘Nixon’ in scrabble letters also decorated the table. Small vintage plates were used to serve the guests. The groom’s cake was red velvet with cream cheese icing and was decorated to represent turning gears. Lindsey and Gayle Ford, cousins of the groom of Lubbock, served the groom’s cake. The groom also had an ice cream parlour that was adjacent to his cake. A printed canvas sign, designed by the bride, hung above the table while a pink dresser, vintage linens and vintage soda pop bottles served as a backdrop. Vanilla ice cream was served by Gentry Adams, cousin of the bride of Abernathy, in blue and yellow polka dot, paper treat cups. Guests were presented with a plethora number of toppings served in green and clear Depression glass to top off their cold treat.
Family and guests were also treated to music provided by Music to the Maxx of Lubbock. Guests danced under the stars with additional lighting coming from strung, bistro lights and a four foot tall ‘N’ that was wired and lit by the bride’s father. The couple and their wedding party entered the party to Celebration by Kool and the Gang. The couple then had their first dance to Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers and then picked up the pace with Happy Together by The Turtles. The bride danced with her father to Theme from A Summer Place by Percy Faith followed by the dance of the groom and his mother to I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder. The bride’s father then got family and friends out on the dance floor to dance to Sister Sledge’s We Are Family. The tradition of a bouquet and garter toss also took place to Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison, Fever by Peggy Lee and Sharp Dressed Man by ZZ Top respectively.
A photo booth was also set up behind the dance floor for guests and family. The photo booth had a backdrop of five, large colorful wooden spools. An assortment of props included items like hats, purses, mustaches, scarves and ties for the guests and family to use in their photographs. Cristy Cross Photography of Clovis, New Mexico performed photography services and Corey Knipe Media of Snyder served as the videographer.
Additional House Party that helped throughout the weekend included Gayle Kubena of Hermleigh, Bobbie Anderson, Stephanie Knipe and Tammy Tyrrell all of Snyder, Gentry Adams of Abernathy, Ashley Ramon, Lindsey and Gayle Ford all of Lubbock and Cindi Farquhar and Nancy Thomas of Irving.
On the eve of the wedding, the bride’s family and Kendall and Becky Cowan, aunt and uncle of the groom of Wolfforth, held a rehearsal dinner at the Windmill Ranch Preserve. The meal was prepared by Dennis and Rhonda Taylor of Ira which included ribeye steaks, grilled chicken breast, grilled shrimp, green salad, baked potatoes and rolls. Gayle Kubena and Tammy Tyrrell prepared a summer dessert of pound cake, mixed berries and whip cream that was also served.
On the morning of the wedding, a brunch was prepared by Gayle Kubena of Hermleigh, Tammy Tyrrell and Stephanie Knipe both of Snyder. They brought the food to The Cutting Edge hair salon while the bride and her bridal party had their hair styled by Vanessa Winkler. The groom and the groomsmen were provided a lunch by the groom’s aunt and uncle, Kendall and Becky Cowan of Wolfforth, at the Windmill Ranch Preserve.
The morning after the wedding, the staff at the Windmill Ranch Preserve served a breakfast for the couple and the guests that stayed over the weekend.
Prior to the wedding, a bridal shower was held on April 9th in the home of Grant and Stephanie Knipe of Snyder. Hostesses included Gayle Kubena and Kay Goebel of Hermleigh, Stephanie Knipe, Tammy Tyrrell, Bobbie Anderson, Jan McClain, Dianna and Stoni Riggan, Kara and Barbara Gowin, Vanessa Arnwine, Linda Jones, Felsha’ Biggers, Renae Herrley, Vickie Hess, Vanessa Smith, Chris Bane and Cindy Wright all of Snyder, Tamra Cumbie, Holly Goebel, Marci Irvine, Lisa Britton, Laurie Burton, Mary Castillo and Starla Reese all of Lubbock and Jami Arnold of Jayton.
A second bridal shower was held in the home of Luke and Lindsey Ford of Lubbock and was hosted by Lindsey and Gayle Ford of Lubbock and Jan Ford of Denver City. A stock the bar party was also held in the home of Sonny and Tamra Cumbie of Lubbock. It was hosted by Tamra Cumbie, Marci Irvine, Holly Goebel, Lisa Britton all of Lubbock, Vanessa Arnwine of Snyder and Somer Owen of Abilene.
The bride is a 1999 graduate of Snyder High School. She then received her Bachelor of Interior Design and Minor in Architecture from Texas Tech University in 2004. She owns her own business, Whitney Owen Designs, and is currently a graphic designer and a photographer.
The groom is a 2001 graduate of Plains High School. He received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas Tech University in 2008. He then pursued an advanced degree and graduated with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 2009. He is currently employed by Cummins as a Mechanical Development Engineer in Seymour, Indiana.
Following a brief trip to the River Walk in San Antonio, the couple now resides at their new home in Seymour, Indiana.
To view images from the wedding, visit Cristy Cross Photography’s blog by clicking HERE.
