Katen & Wylder

Apr 5, 2025

Photography: Haley Plenger, Color and Beam

Katen and Wylder’s story began in July of 2021 at Gruene Hall, Texas’ oldest dance hall. That unforgettable night, they listened to the sounds of Del Rio native Radney Foster as he performed meaningful hits like, “Raining on Sunday,” “Kiss Me in the Dark,” and “Texas in 1880.”

Back home in Austin, the city they both love, Katen and Wylder seamlessly waltzed into each other’s lives. They spent their days exploring favorite spots together—soaking up the sun at Lake Austin, making memories at Las Moras Ranch, and dancing once again at Gruene Hall.

In March of 2024, Wylder got down on one knee along the picturesque shores of Laguna Beach, California—just a few miles from Newport Beach, where Kate and her family once called home.

Katen and Wylder celebrated their union with a full weekend of festivities at Las Moras Ranch, a private and deeply cherished family property in Brackettville, Texas that has been in the Conoly family for over 100 years. “It’s such a special and meaningful place,” Katen shares. “Wylder’s grandparents, great aunt and uncle, and even his brother were married there—it was the perfect setting to carry on the tradition.” Steeped in history and precious family memories, the ranch offered not only sentimental value but also creative freedom for their wedding, thanks to the Conoly family's ownership.

The celebration began with a lively fiesta-themed rehearsal dinner at the family ranch, a nod to its proximity to the Mexican border. Following the dinner, Katen and Wylder hosted a welcome party for all their guests, held at the neighboring ranch’s “Party Barn,” owned by the groom’s aunt. The evening was full of music with the vibrant sounds of a mariachi band. “It was the perfect way to kick off the weekend!” Katen shared.

Katen walked down the aisle in a stunning lace gown by La Premiere, customized to reflect her timeless style. The original deep V neckline was transformed into a classic sweetheart shape, with the addition of delicate buttons down the train for an extra touch of elegance. For her “something borrowed,” Katen wore her twin sister’s veil, adding a deeply personal and sentimental detail to her bridal look.

Guests were treated to a decadent four-tier red velvet cake, filled with coconut pecan and finished with smooth Italian buttercream. Beautifully crafted by The Sleeping Lady Bakery in Del Rio, the cake featured a timeless vintage design and was elegantly adorned with fresh florals.

 The weekend was full of so many unique and meaningful touches. Beyond the remote beauty of the ranch setting, personal details were woven into every part of the celebration. For the welcome party, Katen wore a mini dress redesigned from her mother’s own wedding gown. Katen and Wylder designed custom cowboy boots to wear all weekend long. Their first dance was to a Radney Foster song, especially meaningful since they met at his concert, and he grew up just 45 minutes from the ranch. They paid tribute to Gruene Hall, another special place in their story, with a custom neon sign and personalized napkins and cups. Wylder’s mom, who passed away, always loved hummingbirds, so they included subtle nods to her in the design elements from the wedding crest to seating chart. The couple also paid tribute to the ranch by making custom hats with the ranch brand, the W4, and the W4 could also be seen on the getaway car, the "ranch cruiser," an old Chevy Tahoe that had been redesigned as a ranch vehicle. Katen’s twin sister, who is also a wedding florist, served as maid of honor and created all of the florals, making it even more special. And in a beautiful full-circle moment, Katen and Wylder shared their wedding date, April 5th, with Wylder’s grandparents, who were married at the same ranch decades ago.

For Katen and Wylder’s honeymoon they spent two glorious weeks exploring the Amalfi Coast and Greece. One of the highlights they enjoyed was visiting a small island called Milos, and they ended their trip in the stunning Santorini. “Greece held special meaning for us, as it was also where Wylder’s parents honeymooned,” said Katen.

Bride’s advice:

Be present! I know everyone says that, but the planning can feel overwhelming and if you were engaged for 1 year + it can get so tiring. But, they always say the weekend goes by so quickly! It's so important to take a moment to soak it all in. Let go of perfection, trust your people, and focus on what really matters, celebrating your love with the people you care about most.

Written by Karen Balla