late night portraits outside the hotel drover in the fort worth stockyards at christmas for their wedding

Sydney + Zach’s Timeless Winter Wedding at Hotel Drover

Sydney and Zachary’s love story started the way many modern romances do, with a Hinge match and a first date at her favorite Dallas restaurant, Il Bracco. From that night forward, they leaned all the way in. Whether it was Dallas date nights or an unforgettable ski trip to Steamboat Springs (complete with a snowmobile detour and a tumble into fresh powder), they discovered they were best side by side, especially in the unexpected.

That same mountain town later became the setting for Zach’s proposal on his family’s ranch over Labor Day weekend. Wide-open views. Crisp air. Their favorite people close by. Calm. Intentional. Perfectly them.

By December, their wedding day unfolded in the heart of the Fort Worth Stockyards at Hotel Drover, equal parts western ease and polished elegance. Inside the breathtaking tent, floor-to-ceiling windows blurred the line between indoors and out. Guests walked through flower-wrapped wooden beams into a reception layered with rich green velvet chairs, a green-and-white checkered dance floor by Center Stage Floors, and a stunning six-tier white cake anchoring the room.

Personal touches made the evening unforgettable. A leather luggage tag branding station. Heeled cowboy boots and feathers for the dance floor. And one of the most emotional moments of the night, Zach beginning “Clair de Lune” on a Steinway piano before Forte Strings carried the melody forward for his mother-son dance.

The celebration ended the way it began: full energy, full hearts, and an old-school getaway car from DFW Vintage Cars waiting outside.

Every detail was thoughtfully planned by Tami Winn Events with florals by TWE Floral and lighting by Beyond. Reception music by [Prophets and Outlaws] and DJ services by LeForce Entertainment kept the dance floor packed all night long.

Beautifully and intentionally captured by Tracy Autem.