Modern Dallas Wedding Captured by Ben Q Photography | Arrissa + Alan

They met in a way that many people have so much hope for in the search for that special someone but wonder if there’s success. The good news is two people did meet in such a way that turned into a true fairytale love story. With a little twist of fate, Arrissa and Alan met on an online dating site. Since two former coworkers had success on the site, Arrissa and Alan took a little risk and signed up in 2012. After he messaged her, the two started talking, and they eventually went on their first date. Now, Alan jokes that after Arrissa was three drinks in, he knew it was going well! “I like that she is secretly silly, and I bring out a side of her that others don’t get to see,” Alan says. Arrissa was immediately drawn to Alan’s kind heart. “He is the king of thoughtful small gestures, like fixing something around the house or running an errand without being asked,” Arrissa says. “For example, when we were first dating, there was a door in my apartment that was really squeaky, and he brought me a mini bottle of WD-40 with a bow on it. Very cute!”

In December 2014, Alan was anxious to propose to Arrissa. They’d dated a little more than two years, and he had the perfect ring to propose with. In fact, he’d just gotten driven to Irving to pick up the ring that morning. Alan says he didn’t have a plan other than to propose at some point that night on their “Christmas date.” The Christmas spirit was in the air, so the couple decided to drive around looking at Christmas lights after dinner. “It was all a blur of me trying to find a nice house with pretty lights to propose in front of. I didn’t even know what I was going to say,” Alan remembers. He kept driving, stalling for time, when he found an amazing house with stunning Christmas lights. It was the perfect home for the backdrop of the proposal. He “winged” it, and Arrissa was ecstatic. She knew it was coming, but she didn’t think it would happen that night because Alan waited until the very end of their date. “I was so excited and giddy that the thing I had been looking forward to had finally happened. It was so special because I knew it was a life-changing moment,” Arrissa says.

When the couple started planning the wedding, they knew they wanted it to reflect their personalities. Arrissa wanted a mid-century modern wedding with lots of black and gold décor. The Belmont hotel was the perfect venue. They hired wedding planner Amanda Connolly of “After Yes” to coordinate the details of the big day. “People were constantly asking us in the days leading up to our wedding if we were stressed, and we really weren’t at all,” Arrissa says. The couple was so grateful not to have any stress, especially last minute when their officiant came down sick. The wedding planners found someone to fill in, and the whole ceremony went smoothly.

One of Arrissa’s favorite parts of the wedding planning that she did take full control of was shopping for her gown. She went to Neiman Marcus in Dallas looking for something simple and elegant. She perused a rack of “plain dresses” and tried on a gown no other bride had tried on yet. The strapless ivory stunner was perfect for Arrissa. It was comfortable, and she felt like she looked like herself.

On September 19, 2015, 120 guests gathered at The Belmont Hotel to witness the marriage of Arrissa Meyer and Alan McCoy. The men were handsome in black and white tuxedos, and the bridesmaids were beautiful in varying dresses in black and gold. The couple wanted a short, sweet ceremony. After a warm welcome, the couple exchanged traditional vows and rings. After the officiant pronounced them husband and wife, Alan kissed his beautiful bride.

A whimsical cocktail hour kicked off a night of celebration. In the background, Beyonce’s “Love on Top” filled the air. Arrissa especially cherished that time between the ceremony and reception. While their guests were mingling and sipping cocktails, the couple had a private moment in their honeymoon suite, celebrating over wine, beer, and appetizers. “It was our first chance to be alone together as husband and wife and have a quiet moment during a busy day, which was really fun and relaxing,” Arrissa remembers. The couple’s entrance initiated the start of the reception. They surprised everyone with Miley Cyrus’s “Adore You” as their first dance as husband and wife. Alan greeted everyone, giving a warm welcome to their friends and family with a heartfelt speech. The dances continued with Arrissa and her dad dancing a combined dance with Alan and his mother to “Unforgettable” by Natalie Cole and Nat King Cole. Dancing was Alan’s favorite part of the reception. “It went by so fast, but I felt like I really got to let loose on the dance floor,” Alan says. The night was so classic. Creamy floral arrangements and greenery popped against all the black and gold. The night was a romantic prelude to their honeymoon in Paris. Since the newly named Mr. and Mrs. McCoy were staying at The Belmont, a golf cart was waiting to pick them up and whisk them away to their room. But first, more gold was in store for the glitzy party. Everyone lined up with sparklers for the couple’s big exit. Walking in between two rows of family and friends holding up beaming sparklers, Mr. and Mrs. McCoy laughed, waved, and wished everyone goodnight. The glimmering lights around them were so beautiful, reminiscent of another joyous night in front of the Christmas lights when Alan “winged it” and asked the best question he’ll ever ask.

other local vendors: The Belmont Hotel • Cakewalk Bake Shop • Lauren Munselle • Smoke • Juniper Rentals • Ducky Bob’s • ODP Productions • Coffee Co. • The Southern Table • Michael Gonzalez • Kelly Hoke • Lumber • Photo Wagon • After Yes • Love Notes Weddings