Text by Melanie Saxton Photos by Jonathan Ivy Photography

Kelly Seeker and Scottish transplant Jordan Breese are both Cy-Fair ISD high school alums and Texas A&M Aggies, but never met due to an eight-year age gap. Mutual friends brought them together, and thus began a fairy-tale romance that led to a festive wedding and reception at Station 3 in Houston on Nov. 3, 2017.

Kelly graduated from Cypress Falls High and earned a B.S. in leadership and development in 2011, and is a professional organizer and owner of Seeking Simplicity. Jordan graduated from Cypress Creek High and earned a B.S. in economics in 2003 and is a real estate agent at Threshold Realty. They reside in Houston and are enjoying life as blissful newlyweds.

First Date and Courtship

Unbeknownst to Kelly and Jordan, each were friends with Amy and James Louvier. After a work transfer back to Houston from Scotland, the Louviers invited Jordan to a 2015 Memorial Day barbecue with Kelly in attendance. Kelly noticed that Jordan contributed a packet of sausages to throw on the grill and was impressed at his thoughtfulness. They conversed and hours later realized they had monopolized each other’s time throughout the entire day.

Jordan left with the boys to see a midnight showing of Mad Max Thunder Road, while Kelly stayed behind to share some girl time with Amy. At nearly one in the morning, a cheeky one-line email from Jordan dinged on Kelly’s phone, announcing that he enjoyed talking with her. The message gave Kelly butterflies. They made plans to attend a fundraising bowling tournament the following Friday night, and from that night onward, they were inseparable.

The couple discovered they were polar opposite when it came to planning: Kelly was organized and not a fan of spontaneity while Jordan enjoyed spur-of-the-moment trips, including a surprise jaunt to the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles when Kelly had nothing packed and no game plan, not to mention they both had to work the following morning.

Proposal

Jordan planned a Valentine’s proposal in 2017, and under the guise of beating the crowds, asked Kelly out on the 13th (her favorite number) to a sushi dinner. Both dressed up and had a lovely meal. At home later that evening, Jordan secretly uncorked an expensive bottle of Kelly’s favorite wine, Caymus, and queued up sentimental romantic music. He presented a glass of wine and a poem in which the first letter of each line was coded to read “Kelly Seeker Will You Marry Me?” Kelly read the poem aloud without spotting the hidden message, and was shocked when Jordan got down on one knee. She was so overwhelmed that he had to repeat the proposal several times. After she enthusiastically accepted, they were officially on their way to happily ever after.

Engagement

Wedding planning ensued during their nine-month engagement, with Jordan actively involved from meeting with the wedding planner to picking out table linens. They traveled to Spain and Scotland, enjoyed a Caribbean cruise, were treated to three separate wedding showers, and enjoyed a bachelorette trip to Cancun and a bachelor trip to Austin.

The Wedding

The Great Gatsby-inspired wedding was themed in sophisticated black and gold. Unbeknownst to the groom, five of his friends from Scotland planned to surprise him by flying in for the rehearsal dinner. The bride arranged for three of them to be “surprise groomsmen.” Best man Elliott Breese stood with groomsmen Eric Goodrich, Samuel Rowley, Conor Lenehan, Darren McIntosh and John Graham.

Madison Seeker served as maid of honor with bridesmaids Amy Louvier, Laura Torres, Lauren Rowley and Bonnie Breese. Officiant Jeff Holmes united the couple with the mother of the bride, Lisa Seeker, and parents of the groom, Janice Breese and Pete Breese, in attendance.

Floral and Flourishes: The wine box ceremony featured a painted wooden box emblazoned with the wedding logo and holding the same wine brand Jordan bought for Kelly when he proposed. Each placed a hand-written letter inside the box to be toasted on their one-year anniversary, thus establishing an ongoing tradition. Two simple black stands held gold and crystal candelabras, and all of the bouquets and boutonnieres were handmade by the bride and her mother. A three-panel frame displayed highlights of the order of ceremony, the wedding party and lyrics to the acoustic version of the bridal procession song.

The bride was escorted by her mother down the aisle to a live violin, cello and piano rendition of A Thousand Years by Christina Perri, although the bride remembers nothing but seeing Jordan at the altar and feeling overcome with emotion. A live bagpipe recessional included the traditional Scottish song Scotland the Brave as the couple walked down the aisle for their exit.

Attire: The bride’s custom two-piece Sottero and Midgley gown included a rosella bodice encrusted with delicate pearls, Swarovski crystals and shimmering beads, paired with a Blythe skirt of layered Marquice organza. The handmade, cathedral-length veil was originally made by the mother of the bride for her own wedding and served as “something old.” A diamond tennis bracelet served as “something new.” A hand-crocheted garter belonging to the bride’s late aunt served as “something blue and borrowed.” Badgley Mischka Jeannie peep-toe pumps in an ivory satin finish and a crystal appliqué completed her attire.

Bridesmaids wore black chiffon Bill Levkoff floor-length formal two-shoulder strap gowns and diamond stud earrings. The maid of honor wore the same gown with one shoulder strap and dangle earrings. All wore black heels.

The groom’s formal black tie Scottish Highland wear consisted of a Prince Charlie jacket and waistcoat, kilt with the Muir Modern tartan and accessories. Two groomsmen wore Calvin Klein tuxedos and black patent leather shoes, while three wore Prince Charlie Highland wear with kilts in their own family tartans.

Top Wedding Moments: Vows were handwritten and exchanged by the couple, without a dry eye in the house! The bride squealed with excitement when the officiant said, “I now pronounce you man and wife,” and her reaction was captured by the photographer and videographer before she turned to kiss her new husband. The groom’s favorite moment occurred when his bride turned the corner of the stairs and he looked into her eyes.

Reception

Dancing was the highlight of the evening with three live music ensembles — a bagpiper; a violin, cello and piano trio; and The Drywater Band. The couple’s first dance was to I will Follow You by Toulouse on a patio lit with fairy lights during cocktail hour. The bride surprised her mother with a first dance song —My Wish for You by Rascal Flats — to kick off the reception. Mother and son danced to What a Wonderful World by Otis Redding. The groom’s 93-year-old grandmother came from Scotland and was the star of the show as she line-danced. Two surprise blasts rained confetti and white streamers onto the dance floor.

Décor: The reception featured signs handmade by the bride, groom, bride’s aunt and the mother of the bride, including F. Scott Fitzgerald love quotes on large signs and mirrors, and on each of the nine dinner tables. A “J/K” custom logo appeared on cocktail napkins and koozies. Advice cards were filled out and served as a guestbook. Drink toppers to distinguish guest glasses and a large seating chart were also handmade.

Gold cutlery, crystal glassware, clear chargers with a gold beaded trim, white china plates with a gold rim, black candelabras and gold mercury tea lights sat atop midnight black silk linens. Two gold and crystal candelabras, two F. Scott Fitzgerald quotes and gold mercury tea lights adorned the head table.

The Cakes: The square five-tier cake was flavored with almond and raspberries and frosted in vanilla buttercream. The Gatsby-esque design included a top-tier fondant wrap with imperial gold hand-painted detail, an imperial gold middle tier featuring a “KBJ” logo, and a hand-painted imperial gold adorning the base tier. The second and fourth tiers were stenciled in gold trellis patterns.

The groom designed his chocolate-filled swirled butter and chocolate cake in an exact replica of his kilt and accessories. The edible Muir Modern tartan pattern was topped by a traditional Scottish kilt pin and sporran made of fondant, with a small chain around the edges.

Top Reception Moment: The Drywater Band’s lead singer’s rendition of Faithfully by Journey was perfection!

The Exit: The newlyweds walked onto the twinkle-lit patio, where friends and family tossed silver streamers, and made a picturesque exit in a classic 1965 White Rolls Royce Princess.

The Honeymoon

Mr. and Mrs. Breese are planning a two-week escape to Thailand in the not-so-distant future.