Ashley & Tom's Multicultural Wedding at The Carlisle Room Dallas

A Cultural Fusion Wedding at Tyler Street Church + The Carlisle Room in Dallas

Cinematic Wedding by Dallas-Fort Worth Documentary Wedding Photographers

Some couples stand out right away.
Ashley and Tom were one of those.

From our very first conversation, it was clear their wedding wasn’t about checking boxes or following tradition just because it exists. It was about honoring who they are, where they come from, and the kind of life they’re building together. Deeply connected. Joy-forward. Rooted in culture, family, and meaning.

They were experience-focused in every sense of the word.
And they trusted us fully—creatively, emotionally, and technically.

Trust, Representation, and Being Fully Seen

Early on, Ashley and Tom shared something incredibly important with us. They wanted their skin tones—Ashley’s rich, beautiful dark skin and Tom’s lighter complexion—to be photographed and edited naturally and accurately.

That conversation shaped how we approached the entire day.
Trust was built quickly, and their engagement session only confirmed it. The ease. The laughter. The way they moved together. By the time wedding day arrived, the anticipation wasn’t nervous. It was joyful.

A Morning Filled With Meaning

The morning was calm, thoughtful, and unhurried.

Ashley carried her bouquet wrapped with a ribbon holding charms—small but powerful symbols tied to the nicknames she and Tom have for each other. Details like that set the tone for the day. Personal. Intentional. Grounded in story.

Family moved through the space with purpose.
Friends laughed easily.
Nothing felt rushed, and nothing felt accidental.

First Looks That Wrecked Us (In the Best Way)

Ashley and Tom’s first look was full-body joy. Disbelief, laughter, tears—all of it happening at once. But Ashley’s first look with her dad was the moment that stopped everything.

It was unfiltered, tender, and exactly what a first look should feel like.

A Ceremony That Honored Two Cultures, One Story

Ashley and Tom were married at Tyler Street Church in Dallas, chosen for its breathtaking stained glass windows and the grand dome above the sanctuary. Tom had always envisioned getting married in a church with awe-inspiring architecture, and this space delivered.

Their ceremony was officiated by Ashley’s godfather, Dr. Ricky Woods, adding another deeply personal layer. Tom’s uncle played piano before and during the ceremony, filling the space with warmth and familiarity.

What made the ceremony especially meaningful was how intentionally they honored both of their cultures.

To represent Tom’s Hispanic heritage, they included the Arras ceremony, symbolizing shared responsibility, unity, and provision within marriage. Just before their first kiss, Ashley and Tom jumped the broom, honoring Ashley’s African American heritage and symbolizing the creation of a new family and shared future.

Watching these moments unfold felt grounding and deeply human.
This was heritage, respect, and love—woven together naturally.

A Grand, Joy-Filled Celebration at The Carlisle Room

If the ceremony felt sacred and emotional, the reception at The Carlisle Room in Dallas was pure celebration.

Ashley and Tom wanted a venue that felt classic but still cool. Grand without being stuffy. The ornate pillars at The Carlisle Room created intimate “mini dining rooms,” giving each table the feeling of a private dinner party, even within a large-scale celebration.

Flowers were everywhere. And the guest experience was front and center. Ashley specifically asked that we focus on everyone—not just the same faces over and over.

Once the party started, it didn’t slow down.

Leonardo Event Group kept the dance floor packed.
Mariachi Allende brought an electric cultural moment into the night.
A fiber optic wand exit lit the way for their final send-off.

And yes, there was a hidden “T&A” tucked into the cake icing.
And yes, we absolutely captured them finding it.

A Vendor Team That Truly Collaborated

This day worked as beautifully as it did because the vendor team showed up as a team. No egos. No chaos. Just experienced professionals working together with care and ease.

Ashley and Tom trusted everyone involved to bring their vision to life, and that trust showed in every part of the day.

Looking for a Dallas Wedding Photographer?

We’re Christina & Will, the husband-and-wife team behind The MacMeekens Photography.

We specialize in:

emotive, cinematic storytelling
vibrant documentary imagery
letting the day unfold naturally
creating a relaxed, stress-free photography experience

If you’re planning a wedding at The Carlisle Room in Dallas, or you’re dreaming up something personal, artistic, and a little outside the box, we’d love to hear what you’re planning.

Let’s grab coffee (or espresso martinis) and talk it through.
Reach out here to get started →