360 West Weddings Magazine | Summer Issue

Excerpt from the Magazine: “While out with a group of friends one summer evening, Kelly O’Donnell ran into Cole Hawkins, whom she had known as a fellow business student at Texas Christian University. She was glad to see a friendly face, even though she remembered having chided him for being late to a group project when they were students.

Cole, undeterred by that memory, took the chance meeting as an opportunity to finally ask Kelly out on a date. They struck up a romance, marked by frequent handwritten notes and letters. A few years later, they stopped by the TCU campus for a walk before dinner, and Cole asked her to marry him beside Frog Fountain, reading her a heartfelt letter he’d written.

The couple turned to another TCU graduate, Sarah Wintersteen, to help plan a late spring wedding that Kelly’s parents would fly in from New York to host. “One of the first things we did was book Robert Carr Chapel; we wanted family and friends to witness our vows where we went to college,” says Kelly, adding that they invited their pastor from
7 City Church to officiate.

With much of Kelly’s family coming in from New York and Cole’s traveling from California, the couple wanted to be sure to show their near and dear a good time in Texas. They kicked off the wedding weekend with a welcome party at Cowtown Brewing Co. The next evening, Cole’s parents hosted the rehearsal dinner at Magdalena’s, which charmed guests with its family-style service, magical setting and chef-driven menu with Mexican flair.

On the day of the wedding, Kelly’s father walked her down the aisle to the sounds of a string quartet. The bride wore a fit-and-flare Essense of Australia gown with lace overlay and a chapel-length veil. The groom, dressed in a light gray suit and blush pink bow tie, began crying when he saw her.

Following a traditional service with Holy Communion, the couple paused for portraits outside the chapel; rain dampened their clothes but not their spirits. Driving a classic car, a chauffeur whisked them downtown to The Fort Worth Club for their reception. The wedding planner, Sarah, set aside time for the couple to privately enjoy hors d’oeuvres and cocktails before joining their guests.

The reception space, done up in shades of blush pink, ivory and gold, featured lush floral arrangements, including a dramatic halo around the chandelier. Sarah dressed the head table with a lace tablecloth, a runner of fresh flowers, pink velvet napkins, gold flatware and gold-rimmed glass chargers. “It drew all eyes to the center of the room; it definitely made a difference,” says Kelly.

The couple danced to “Precious Love” by James Morrison before being joined by friends and family on the dance floor. A memorable moment came when the DJ played a Greek song — a nod to Kelly’s mom’s heritage — and their guests formed a big circle. “People aren’t kidding when they say your wedding will go by really fast,” says Kelly. “Everyone was having the most amazing time; we are so blessed.”

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