Rachel Lamb and Joshua Brown’s Romantic Fall DFW Wedding by Grit + Gold

Rachel Lamb and Joshua Brown’s Romantic Fall DFW Wedding by Grit + Gold

When they reflect on the journey that led them to each other, Rachel and Josh are in awe of how two people living a world apart could come together and be such a perfect match. The Texas native Rachel and the Australian-born Josh met while he was traveling on a book tour with author and pastor, Russell Evans, of Planetshakers Church in Melbourne, Australia. Pastor Russell was making an appearance on Daystar, where Rachel works, and she and Josh struck up a conversation behind the scenes.

After meeting, Josh was surprised when he unexpectedly began praying for Rachel later that evening as he was winding down in his hotel room. He asked God to provide her with a husband who would make her feel loved, cherished and secure—an odd prayer he thought for a woman he barely knew. What followed is something that neither of them could’ve predicted.

Over the next year, the two began a long distance friendship. After months of failed attempts to coordinate their busy schedules, they were eventually able to spend some quality time together. Both felt that something was different between them, but neither was ready to make a move until they were sure.

In December 2015, Josh traveled to New York with Rachel on a work trip with a team from Daystar. Stopping for a photo by the Brooklyn Bridge, he held her close as they posed for a picture. Rachel’s younger sister couldn’t resist teasing them and shouted, “Oh, just kiss her!” She was so embarrassed, but found herself locked in an embrace with Josh as they shared their first kiss on a cold, wintery day surrounded by a small audience cheering them on. “It was surreal, crazy, and romantic all at the same time,” she remembers. Only days later, when the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve in Nashville, Rachel and Josh began 2016 with their second kiss. Her Instagram caption that followed said it all with only two words, “It’s Official!”

A few months passed and Josh managed to plan a creative, unforgettable way to propose to his future wife. He knew that Rachel had bought a special dress just for the proposal and, seemingly out of nowhere, called her and simply said, “Wear the dress.” He then picked her up and drove to Delaney Vineyards in Grapevine. As Rachel got out of the car, she saw a row of signs with sweet sayings on them and pictures hanging overhead lining a path to the vineyard. As they walked, Josh told the story of their journey together through pictures. He then led her up to two large wooden doors before opening them to reveal a stunning scene. Flower petals lined a walkway toward a grand piano with white floral arrangements on each side.

As they approached the piano, Rachel heard the familiar voice of her 4-year-old nephew and turned to see her closest family members standing on a balcony overhead. Josh’s family was even watching through Skype from their home in Australia. A talented musician, Josh began playing a song he wrote telling the story of their relationship. As it came to an end, he softly played the first few notes of the Bridal March. Standing up, he walked toward Rachel explaining that their journey together had brought them to this moment in time. Bending down on one knee, he said, “Rachel Michelle Lamb, would you do me the biggest honor of my life and marry me?” As tears streamed down her face, she responded with an overjoyed, “Yes.”

They immediately began planning a romantic fall wedding. With guests traveling from all over the world, Rachel wanted everyone to experience the beauty of the Texas countryside. The couple opted to be married at The Milestone in Aubrey, Texas, and the reception to take place at the nearby Morgan Creek Barn. The Milestone was without a doubt the perfect spot. The estate-style mansion has plenty of open space for pictures and a lot of natural light making it the ideal canvas for Rachel to create her dream wedding.

“I really wanted the theme of my wedding to represent the beauty of nature and my spirit of adventure,” she says. In order to accomplish that, Rachel chose to incorporate a variety of loose, free-form florals with greenery to create a soft, romantic environment. Using the color palette of blush, ivory, marsala, gold and navy, she made sure to balance rich pops of color with lighter hues, adding candlelight to tie it all together.

To go along with their wedding theme, Rachel chose an ethereal Ines Di Santo gown that featured pale pink lace. Completing the overall look, ruffled organza with chantilly lace gave the dress a timeless finishing touch. Reflecting on it, she says, “When I tried on the dress, I instantly knew it was the one. It’s both stunning and unique. It was clear that Ines had poured her heart and soul into making it.”

On the wedding day, beautiful florals in fall hues came together for a striking Stems of Dallas bouquet that included English garden roses in varying shades, scabiosas, ranunculus, amnesia roses, dahlias, hellebores, peonies, wisteria and autumn greens. As Rachel and her father, Marcus Lamb, approached the doors leading to the sanctuary, she reached out for his arm and breathed a quiet sigh of relief knowing that all her hopes and dreams for this day were finally realized. “My dad and I have always been so close,” she says, “and walking in step with him toward my future will always be one of the sweetest memories of my life.” But before Josh took her hand, Rachel’s father had one more surprise in store –a video that featured him reliving memories of her growing up, telling Rachel that he could never give her away, but would willingly share her with Josh.

During the processional, there was a special touch when the couple’s ring bearer brought Rachel’s grandfather’s Bible with the rings attached using Silk & Willow ribbon. The newlyweds also chose to incorporate the traditional Jewish custom of “breaking the glass” led by Pastor John Hagee. Pastor Hagee’s prayer was then followed by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn who wore his tallit and offered up the Aaronic blessing. These traditions made Rachel and Josh’s ceremony a truly unique experience.

As an added surprise, Rachel collaborated with Josh’s mother and the team at Daystar to create a touching video tribute of Josh’s late father, Neils Brown. Josh had been saddened by the thought that his father wouldn’t be there to celebrate with him on his wedding day, but using footage pieced together from home videos throughout his life, Rachel managed to make sure he was there. After the video ended, there wasn’t a dry eye in the room.

Once the ceremony was over, a meal was served in the mansion before guests made their way to the barn. There, Dallas favorite Limelight performed live as everyone danced and enjoyed mocktails by HD Liquid Catering. Hours later, the evening ended with one last surprise when Rachel and Josh invited everyone to join them outside for a fireworks show by Illumination Fireworks. After that, the couple ran through sparklers to make their exit – by helicopter — slowly making their way up into the October night sky, as family and friends cheered and waved goodbye.

Rachel and Josh shared a honeymoon full of adventure in Maldives and Thailand. She is continuing her career at Daystar, while Josh works and performs with Planetshakers.

Above all, the couple loves giving back. In fact, the day after their wedding they partnered with the non-profit organization Full Bloom to donate all of the flowers from their wedding to local nursing homes throughout the community. The couple worked alongside the florists and excitedly delivered them to nursing home patients who happily shared marriage advice with the newlyweds.

Planning your North Texas wedding? Be sure to browse local wedding venues, caterers, photographers and more via our North Texas wedding vendors directory. Cheers!