Its A Musical Marital Tour That Will Take You Away: A Beatles-Themed Wedding
In the picturesque town of Harlingen, Texas, on a crisp autumn day – November 6th, 2015 to be exact – Kaycee and Raul exchanged vows in an intimate celebration that defied traditional wedding norms. With Alma-Garcia Villarreal’s stunning photography capturing every moment, this offbeat bride’s special day was truly one-of-a-kind.
The happy couple’s creative vision for their big day came with a price tag of under $15,000 – a testament to the fact that love knows no bounds, nor budgetary constraints.
Our offbeat wedding at a glance:
Tell us about the ceremony:
The ceremony took place at Valley Praise Methodist Church, a location that holds sentimental value for both Raul and me. My connection to the church dates back to 2006 when I joined the worship team as a high school freshman, and it’s where Raul also began his drumming stint with the group in 2010. Fast forward to 2014, when Raul proposed to me during a church service – it was only fitting that we would choose this same venue for our special day.
The church served as the perfect backdrop for our intimate celebration. We opted for understated decorations, crafting a beautiful paper flower backdrop the night prior to the big day. As we exchanged vows, the sweet sounds of ‘Something’ by The Beatles filled the air, and as we processed out, the message of love shone through with ‘All You Need is Love.’ To add to the whimsy, we arrived at our reception in style, borrowing my friend’s charming baby blue Volkswagen beetle.
Tell us about your reception:
We selected La Cantera as our venue, primarily due to its spacious stage that allowed us to feature Austin’s premier cover band, The Eggmen, in all their glory. Their high-energy performance, complete with multiple costume changes and a set list that had our guests dancing throughout the night, was undoubtedly the highlight of the reception.
The centerpieces were a collection of jewel-toned vases and glasses I acquired on clearance, complemented by Beatles coasters serving as table markers.
Our guest book took the form of a refurbished drum, which also doubled as a prop for our Sgt. Pepper-themed photo booth.
Raul and I opted to have our favorite local ice creamery provide three of our favorite flavors, each with custom names created especially for the occasion.
My father and I shared a special dance moment to ‘In My Life,’ a song from the iconic ‘Rubber Soul’ album that held sentimental value for us. It was the same album my dad gave me as a gift when I was younger.
Raul and his mother, meanwhile, took to the dance floor for Lennon’s poignant ‘Beautiful Boy,’ which brought tears to many eyes. The night concluded with a rousing sing-along to the timeless classic, ‘Hey Jude.’
What was your most important lesson learned?
As I reflect on my childhood fantasies about my wedding, I envisioned a grand affair with a lavish ball gown, sparkling chandeliers, and hundreds of guests celebrating with us. However, when the time came to plan our special day, my partner and I chose a theme that beautifully reflected our unique essence as a couple. In hindsight, it’s clear that this was never just about me or my own personal desires – it was an occasion that belonged to both of us.
And in the end, it turned out to be the perfect celebration of our love.
Vendors
The picturesque wedding featured the talents of photographer Smile Loud Photography, who captured the joy and love shared by the newlyweds. The stunning bride opted for a beautiful dress from Second Summer Bride, while the groom looked dashing in his attire from BeatlesSuits. The ceremony took place at La Cantera, a venue that provided a romantic backdrop for the couple’s special day.
Sweet treats were provided by Gloria’s Specialty Cakes, and the party continued with energetic tunes courtesy of The Eggmen.
