In Real Weddings

Texas couple combines love of travel and dinosaurs for a fun Night at the Museum event!

When Ashley Childs and Tyler Padelecki decided to tie the knot, they wanted to make sure their wedding was a reflection of all the things they loved, and boy did they ever! The couple held their ceremony at the stained-glass Polish/Texan Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in San Antonio, in which they were the 5th generation of the groom’s family to be married. The Witte Museum served as the reception venuewhere this fun-loving pair decided to put their personality into the details of their classic navy and gold decor. They completely embraced the museum’s dinosaur exhibits holding their cocktail hour among the displays. Guests enjoyed dino-themed cocktails while contemporary music by Beyonce and Journey was played by a string trio. Guests were treated to fun Wedding Night at the Museum koozies and shot glasses as favors.

The couple, who had made the decision to quit their jobs a year earlier to spend 12 months traveling, also included several travel themed touches in their decor. Ashley says that wedding planning was sometimes difficult during her time abroad, but they had such an amazing experience and they wanted to honor that time in their lives by including wanderlust touches to their big day. Postcards they had collected during their travels around the world were placed on a table where guests could sign and write a note to the couple who later placed them in a leather-bound scrapbook.

The newlyweds opened the dance floor with a traditional Polish and Czech Grand March, before guest joined in to dance the night away. Once the ballroom cleared, Ashley and Tyler had a final, private dance surrounded by the beautiful, empty ballroom. Ashley says that it was her favorite memory of the night. We love this idea and think couples should steal it for their own weddings!