It was ballroom dancing that brought together Heather Aguilar and Travis Hoopingarner, who met during a competition at Arthur Murray dance studio in Fort Worth.
While the two weren’t partnered on the dance floor initially, sparks flew quickly. Within just a few months, Travis asked Heather’s parents for their daughter’s hand in marriage and they tied the knot on March 28, 2019.
The couple’s wedding dance was their first time to dance together.
“We're slowly learning how to dance together, which is kind of cool when it comes to all of the parallels of marriage,” says Heather.
Nuptials and the reception took place at the Mopac Event Center, uniquely on a Thursday evening rather than the traditional Saturday. Heather says she wanted a small and intimate wedding that felt more like a family reunion than a formal affair.
“I always wanted to get married outside, but it's such a crapshoot,” Heather says. “I knew the Mopac would work well if we had to move it inside. But the Lord blessed us with perfect weather.”
About 75 guests gathered under an outdoor pavilion for the ceremony, where Travis and her father built a wooden cross to serve as the altar.
In lieu of having bridesmaids and groomsmen, Heather and Travis wanted to honor three couples that they “love dearly,” Heather says. The couples walked down the aisle during the ceremony and attached bouquets on the cross.
Wedding planner Jennifer Rios took Heather’s love of floral and put together a petal bar for guests to create a fragrant, floral version of confetti. Petals and dried flowers in all colors and varieties, from roses to lavender, were displayed in glassware. Guests filled paper cones and tossed the petals in the air as Heather and Travis walked down in the aisle as husband-and-wife.
“Incorporating the crowd seemed like more of a celebration,” says Heather.
Guests then transitioned to the indoor reception space, which was transformed into an English garden with jewel-tone floral by Kate Foley Designs.
Deep teal table linens showcased classic blue and white dishware. Floral also extended to cake table, which was filled from edge-to-edge with a massive arrangement. An elegant champagne cake from Stir Crazy Baked Goods sat neatly in the middle of it all.
Guests also indulged in Stir Crazy’s mini pecan pies, cookies, lemon bars, and other baked goodies.
In keeping with the family reunion theme, Heather had Blue Mesa Grill cater a family-style buffet. Dinner included hearty helpings of enchiladas, fajitas, chips, queso, and guacamole.
“At a family reunion, you just kind of grab a table and eat,” she says. “I always remember at my family reunions, we ate kind of buffet-style. I'm half-Hispanic and we love Mexican food.”
While the many ballroom dancers in the crowd showed off their skills, the crowd danced to a variety of tunes by DJ Rob Williams. Heather said he kept the party going until her last dance with Travis, which was one of her most memorable moments.
The newlyweds stayed at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel for a mini staycation honeymoon before Travis surprised Heather with a trip to Glacier National Park in Montana.
Ceremony and reception venue: Mopac Event Center
Planning and design: Jen Rios Weddings
Floral: Kate Foley Designs
Wedding cake: Stir Crazy Baked Goods
Catering:Blue Mesa Grill
Rentals: BBJ Linen, Coral Lane, Pretty Little Plates
Table runners:Cloud Crafted
Paper goods: Paper Source , Cleggraphy Designs
DJ: Rob Williams
Beauty: Meagan Bechtel
Photography: Deven Ashley Photography
To submit a wedding for consideration, email stephanie@culturemap.com. Weddings must have taken place in the Fort Worth area since July 1, 2018.
Heather Aguilar and Travis Hoopingarner were married March 28, 2019.
Claire Messerle, Betsy Price, Katie MesserlePhoto by Savanna Romano
Guests bid in the live auction.Photo by Savanna Romano
Champagne Yacht Club Band kept the dance floor lively.Photo by Savanna Romano