Howdy California at the Newport Beach Country Club

For west-coast-raised Nicolette and Texas native Dailey, it only made sense to go with a “Howdy California” wedding concept. Despite living in two different cities, in August of 2020, Nicolette and Dailey Markham found themselves on a blind date, where an undeniable connection quickly led the couple into a long-distance relationship with alternating weekend trips between Houston and Dallas. After months of phone calls and long drives, a career opportunity brought Dailey to Dallas on a more permanent basis. Despite the challenges of long distance, Dailey and Nicolette recalled what a strong foundation it built for their relationship and how this time helped them value the present moment. When it came to the proposal, Dailey traveled all the way to Huntington Beach to receive a blessing from Nicolette’s parents before popping the question. With Nicolette and Dailey’s entire families in on the plan, a weekend getaway to Nashville over Labor Day weekend was scheduled. Dailey had his suspicions that Nicolette was in on the plan as well when she scheduled a nail appointment for the day before the trip, but when he got down on one knee by the Cumberland River overlooking Nashville, the moment was everything he had hoped for and more. For their wedding at the Newport Beach Country Club, keeping things timeless and elegant was key for the duo. Florals reflected this ambiance featuring white blooms and classic greenery. Elaborate floral bursts at the base of the reception stage also added a flourish of drama for speeches and first dances. A definite focal point of the wedding was the ceremony, which featured a custom-made altar. For Dailey and Nicolette, faith played a key role in their relationship and wedding day, and without a large enough church by their venue, the couple opted to create their own place of worship. Capturing the tranquility and emotion of the day, a watercolor artist painted live during the ceremony. To celebrate the couple’s roots, guests were given keychains with cowboy boots or surfboards as keepsakes of the day and melding west coast and southern flare was a motif. Nicolette added a white cowboy hat to her reception look to pay homage to her time in Texas, the perfect accessory to go with a white boa for a night of dancing. Blue and white tablescapes gave décor a whimsical, coastal vibe and gold accents on chargers and silverware brought a pop of fun. For Dailey and Nicolette, their nuptials were a way to showcase their love for each other, the strength of their faith and unite loved ones together in a night of celebration.