Texas Private School Sweethearts Get Married in a Dreamy Destination Wedding: Jackson Hole’s Freezing Rain Can’t Dampen This Historic Love

When Sloan Childress and William Cummins were planning their oh-so romantic autumn wedding in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the one thing they didn’t consider was umbrellas. Lucky for the Houston duo, their wedding planner was one step ahead of Mother Nature and had dozens of sprawling white umbrellas at the ready.

The bride’s mother, Kara Childress, recalls that it was a freezing rain. While some might consider that a bad omen, in several cultures a drizzling wedding day guarantees fertility and signifies cleansing as in launching a life together free of troubles.

High school sweethearts at Kinkaid, Sloan Childress and William Cummins continued their romance through college years at Texas Christian University and shortly after graduation, they became engaged.

Where to have the wedding was a no brainer. Kara and Ray Childress and their four children had spent summers and skiing holidays at their ranch in the Tetons for two decades. One Fourth of July, Ellen and Jim Cummins, parents of the groom, and family visited the Childresses and loved it so much that they set an anchor there as well.

It was a weekend packed with activities. Thursday night was the rehearsal dinner at the Snake River Grill followed by a  rollicking “Welcome to Wyoming” bash at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. On Friday, guests had their picks between golfing on the Shooting Star links or hiking, fly-fishing, and biking in the Tetons. That night, guests were invited to the “I Do” barbecue and bluegrass entertainment at the Roadhouse Pub.

The Saturday nuptials had been planned for a beautiful Aspen grove but that morning there was a mix of rain and snow and a drizzle that continued much of the day. Plan B became a necessity. Thus, the ceremony was moved into the lovely side tent and out came the white golf umbrellas.

The bride was escorted to the tent by her father, umbrella overhead, and joined the groom at the altar, where the bride’s brother, Wells Childress, officiated. Kara Childress recalls, “Wells emphasized how their great love was reminiscent of a bygone era with references to their parents’ and grandparents’ sacrificial love. And there was a precious reference to Shania Twain’s ‘You’re Still the One.’ ” She added, “There wasn’t a dry eye in the tent after Wells guided the couple through their vows. It overflowed with love and warmth, despite the freezing rain.”

The party continued in the tent and later moved on to an after-party at the historic Stagecoach Bar.

The couple are making their home in Houston where Sloane is a lead designer at her mother’s interior design firm, Kara Childress, Inc. William, a finance major, just completed his MBA at Rice University.

Bride’s gown and veil: Vera Wang

Groom’s suit: Norton ditto

Bridesmaids’ gowns: Stanley Korshak

Groomsmen’s attire: Texas Tux and boots

Wedding planner: Elizabeth Kelleher of In Any Event in Jackson Hole

Caterer: Eric Guertin of Café Genevieve Catering

Flowers: Emily Lacoste of Lily & Company

Photographer: Flo McCall

Invitations: Cara Rank of Xowyo

Bridesmaids: Chandler West, Annie Knight, CC Brollier, Brandaise Armstrong, Mary Katherine Cummins Kristen Cummins, Christine Perusquia, Miller Pierce, Rachel McBath, Ava McBath

Groomsmen: Ford Childress, Knox Childress, Jim Cummins III, Jake Kight, Carter Holmes, Brandon Hulings, Kevin Snodgrass, John Rathmell