The Preppiest Wedding Ever

This Young Dallas Power Couple Turns Long-Distance Love Into an Elegant Coastal Dream

By Christina Geyer // Mar 2, 2016

Photography Hunter Ryan Photography

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The Port Royal Club in Naples, Florida

Heather and Daniel Branch share a moment before the reception.

For the welcome bags, custom monogrammed water bottles and snacks were given to each guest.

Custom iced sugar cookies, boasting the couple’s monogram, were also given to guests.

Heather Young’s wedding shoes, by Jimmy Choo

Something Blue: Heather’s married initials, Heather Young Branch, and the date of her wedding were stitched in to her Oscar de la Renta gown.

Going to the Chapel: A trolley proved a whimsical way to get the bride and her attendants to the ceremony.

Trinity by the Grove chapel, where Heather Young and Daniel Branch tied the knot

The bride’s bouquet by Grace Lakes Florist

The Newlyweds: Heather and Daniel Branch

The cocktail hour at the Port Royal Club seemed a scene out of a Slim Aarons photo.

What The Groom Wore: Longhorn cufflinks and a sleek watch

The Classic: A Rolls-Royce getaway car for the bride and groom

A royal coach

A sparkler of a sendoff at the Port Royal Club

Elegant calligraphy by Lolo Lincoln and a simple hedge-wall made for the perfect place-card design.

The interior of the reception space at Port Royal Club designed by Anna Lucia Richardson of Anna Lucia Events

Happily Ever After

The wedding cake by Ella’s Cakes

Members Only: A beach club wedding at the Port Royal Club

For late night bites, sliders and fries from Dallas fave Burger House were served.

September 12, 2015: The coastal Florida wedding of Heather Young and Daniel Branch, Jr., is worthy of a preppy stamp of approval from even the most discerning C.Z. Guest or Babe Paley. Young, originally from New Canaan, Connecticut, and Branch, a Dallas native and the son of the Honorable Daniel H. Branch and Stacey Branch, first met while attending Vanderbilt University. After graduating, the duo crossed paths years later in New York City, where Branch was visiting and Young was working for Elle magazine.

The couple courted long-distance, and eventually Young moved to Dallas. Shortly thereafter, they became engaged — Young suddenly sporting a gorgeous sapphire on her left ring finger.

The wedding, held in Naples, Florida, was the definition of old-school elegance. The seaside cocktail and reception at Naples’ elite Port Royal Club appeared something out of a Slim Aarons photo. Young wore an Oscar de la Renta silk mikado gown, one of the last wedding dresses designed by de la Renta before his 2014 death. Branch opted to go sockless in his Ferragamos — as any stylish gent getting married at the beach should.

Green and white — a play on the natural scheme of the location’s white-sand beaches and plentiful palm trees — left no room for anything fussy, flashy or over the top.

The Details:
Planning and Design: Anna Lucia Richardson of Anna Lucia Events
Church: Trinity by the Cove
Ceremony Music: Encore Chamber Players
Ceremony Floral: Grace Lakes Florist
Reception Venue: Port Royal Club
Reception Floral: 50 Fifty Creative
Photography: Hunter Ryan Photography
Photo Booth: Bash Booths
Hair & Makeup: Sir Daniel and Faces by Frohmberg of Salon Tease
Wedding Cake: Ella’s Cakes
Reception Band: The Headliners
Linens: La Tavola & Nuage Designs
Stage and Hedge Rentals: Party Time Rental
Chairs, Chargers and Table Rentals: A Chair Affair
Lighting: KCTecs
Program and Menu Stationer: Lolo Lincoln
Wedding Logo Stationer: The Lettered Olive
Day-Of Stationer: Natalie Chang Studio
Hotel Block: Naples Beach Hotel
Transportation: Dolphin Transportation & Premier Trolleys