I'm thrilled to have our next bride in our Made to Marry series! Kasey French Raley was genuinely so excited about the whole process and a joy. I sat down with Kasey to get the scoop on her gorgeous wedding last winter. Enjoy! 

Q:How did you find me (David Peck)?

A:You and I went farther back than I realized beecause you had worked with a few prominent names in the Houston community: Josephine Firat and Susan Plank. Also, you've made a lot of great philanthropic appearances and generous gestures for the community. I would always watch in awe as you worked the room. (Insert blushing emojis here)

One day, I was sitting with my now mother-in-law worried about the impact the pandemic would have on bridal gown material. She said there was a custom gown designer just down the road who might be able to make the timing work, where a bigger store wouldn’t. I asked her to send me his name. Next, when her friend got back to her, I squealed in delight when I realized it was you! I called immediately, and it was like two old friends getting together after a while.

 

Q:Did you know exactly what you wanted for your wedding? 

A: Let me start by saying I never was the girl who dreamed of her wedding from the day she was born. To be honest, I didn’t really envision my wedding much until my husband proposed. I think I was worried that if I didn’t capture a perfect ‘vision,’ then why create one in my head?

I KNEW I wanted good music, good photos, good food, and (of course) to look good. Eventually, my night turned into a smattering of small, yet important details that make me, me! The band was very soul-heavy and learned a song for me to sing with them; performance is a big part of my past and something I really wanted to do for my husband. Getting married and taking pictures (including a family re-creation) picture where my parents got married was a huge detail for me as well.

I wanted my dress to be luxurious, classic, but with a twist – something you nailed to a T!

Next, we rode away in my father-in-law’s MG-B with Pepsico (where my husband works) and Purina (where I work) cans tied to the back of a just married sign.

Every little detail captured perfectly by the photographer who was a recommendation from a great old friend, and captured in video by a team that, I think, would jump through hoops to make my day special. 

Q:How did you incorporate a family tradition or family heirloom into your special day?

A:My wedding ring is a ‘new’ family heirloom – my family didn’t really have any jewelry or traditions to pass down until I got engaged and wanted to use my paternal grandmother’s ring! It’s so unique and stunning!

 

Q:Did you have a wedding hashtag? 

A: #ItsRaleyHappening; when the wedding was over, we used #ItRaleyHappened in our thank you notes!

 

Q:How did you and your significant other meet?

A: Wesley and I sort of consider ourselves high school sweethearts – although we officially started dating after High School graduation, the chemistry was there way beforehand. He picked me up after Free Press Summer Fest (RIP) and we talked all night, watched a movie, and I knew then that it wasn’t just a summer fling. We only met a few months beforehand at his house after a St. John’s/Memorial Lacrosse game, where mutual friends asked us to hang out. Very much a “dating apps, who?” kind of story.

Q:How did your significant other propose?

A: When he proposed, he was actually supposed to be on his future brother-in-law’s bachelor party trip! However, because of bad storms in Chicago, he ended up staying and deciding literally 3 hours before that he wanted to propose. It was a beautiful snowy night, and I was so surprised!

 

Q:Did anything funny or chaotic happen on your wedding day?

A: I mean, other than COVID? Hah, I would say nothing particularly funny or chaotic, perhaps because I had a kick-butt planning team and my Virgo perfectionist brain to make things go mostly smoothly!

Q:What song was your first dance?

A: Hooked on a Feelin’ – Blue Swede

 

Q:Where was your bachelorette party?

A: I didn’t have one – I had a “Wifelorette” in September in Cape Cod!

Q:What unique feature did you include on the special day?

A: My first dance was a grand entrance with a fully-choreographed ballroom dance, and the Father/Daughter dance was also a surprise choreographed dance! We all had so much fun learning the dances, and, interestingly enough, it took our minds off of some of the small, stressful details!

Q:How did you choose your venue?

A: My church (St. Michael) has been my parish since I was born, and the reception venue (The Houstonian) is where my parents got married.

 

Q:Did your wedding have a theme or vibe?

A: Luxury – lots of dark, sultry greens, long sleeves, velvet dresses, etc.

The Details

Venue – St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, The Houstonian (Grande Ballroom) | @houstonianclub

Event Planner – Piper and Muse, Caren Cadena | @piperandmuse

Flowers – Freedom Floral | @freedomfloraltx

Food and Drink – The Houstonian | @houstonianclub

Photographer – Marco Wang Photography | @mwangphotography

Cinematographer – Cakewalk Films | @cakewalkfilms

Event Rentals and Décor – The Houstonian | @houstonianclub

Stationary – Bering’s Hardware and Stationery | @beringshardware

Entertainment – Drywater Band | @drywaterband

Beauty (Makeup and Hair) – Kiss and Makeup Houston | @kissandmakeuphouston

Wedding Dress/Fashion – Gown: David Peck| @shopdavidpeck

Accommodations – The Houstonian | @houstonianclub

Travel and Transportation – Sam’s Limousine | @samslimousine