Real Weddings: Ann-Hayden Gustafson and Matthew Innamorati

A Southern chic ceremony in Wichita Falls.

Meeting the man you will marry at a wedding is as fabled as spotting a unicorn in the garden. But it almost happened to Ann-Hayden Gustafson. The 25-year-old counselor met her now husband, Matthew Innamorati, first at an engagement party and then again a year later at the wedding of the same couple.

They themselves were married July 30, 2011, in her hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas. Ann-Hayden is the quintessential Southern belle, and her wedding vision was Southern chic. “I wanted it warm and classy, and I wanted it to represent Matthew and me in every way. I wanted each thing to be symbolic of our relationship, so you could see us through every aspect of the day.”

To that end there were lots of little touches. Matthew loves his cowboy boots, so the bride had realistic chocolate boots placed atop his groom’s cake.  She chose white flowers with touches of blue to match her beloved’s cerulean eyes. The bridal party rode an old-fashioned trolley from the hotel to the church to the reception—the same type of trolley Ann-Hayden rode for birthday parties as a girl. And, after the reception, the bride’s dad drove the newlyweds away in his bright red Cadillac.

Ann-Hayden also wanted a calm, light atmosphere—“heavenly,” as she describes it. Starlike candles floated above the dance floor. Three large chandeliers in the ballroom were cleverly disguised with clouds of paper rose petals, as if they were falling from the sky. And there were lots and lots of glowing candles.

As a couple of foodies, the bride and groom focused on making sure guests were well-fed. Matthew loves barbecue, and a slider bar filled the bill. For lighter eaters, Ann-Hayden chose fruit and cheese, two of her favorites. And there were chicken and waffles as a nod to the couple’s first date: they went to Victor Tangos. Instead of favors for guests, an ice cream truck dished a sweet treat as a symbol of one of their favorite snacks while they were dating.

And it all came to be at the hand of event designer extraordinaire Todd Fiscus, who is a childhood friend of the bride’s mother. The family watched with pride as Fiscus rose in the world, and “it was always my dream to work with him and have him plan my wedding day since I was 4,” Ann-Hayden says. “He takes what you say and makes it 1,000 times better.”

And that’s no fairy tale.

RESOURCES
Ceremony Site: First Presbyterian Church (Wichita Falls)
Photographer/Studio: Thisbe Grace Photography
Bridal Gown Designer: Monique Lhuillier
Hair: Nicki Monfort, Lookin’ Good Spa
Groom’s Attire: Culwell & Son
Flowers: Todd Events
Reception Site: Wichita Falls Country Club
Cake: Masterpiece Cakes by Benny Daniel (Wichita Falls)
Caterer: Wichita Falls Country Club
Band and/or DJ: All Funk Radio Show
Videographer: Daniel Estrada, When It Clicks
Lighting: Todd Events
Wedding Rentals: Todd Events
Wedding Planner: Todd Fiscus
Wedding Designer: Todd Fiscus