Sidesaddle Saloon Welcome Party | Devon & Nathan

When this couple started dreaming up their wedding weekend, one thing was crystal clear: they wanted their guests—especially the many traveling in from out of town—to feel an immediate sense of place. Texas wasn’t just the setting; it was part of the experience. Their vision for the welcome party was summed up perfectly in just a few words: elevated cowboy, western chic, classy Texas. Think a warm, high-style welcome with a nod to tradition, a little edge, and just enough cocktails to set the tone—without anyone feeling worse for wear the next morning.

Sidesaddle Saloon Welcome Party | Design

The venue choice made that vision even clearer. Sidesaddle Saloon already has such a strong personality—rich textures, western details, and a natural sense of character—that the goal was never to overpower it. Instead, the design approach focused on enhancing what was already there and tailoring it to feel distinctly them.

Rather than reinventing the wheel, we leaned into the soul of Sidesaddle Saloon and elevated it. The existing saddles lining the walls, the rustic undertones, and the inherent Texas charm became the foundation of the design. From there, we layered in color, personality, and custom details to strike that perfect balance between authentic western and wedding-weekend polished.

The color palette played a huge role in this transformation. By weaving rich reds and blues throughout the space, we echoed classic Americana while keeping things bold and celebratory. These hues popped beautifully against the saloon’s textures and helped tie every design element together—from signage to bar moments to styling accents.

Sidesaddle Saloon Welcome Party | bar

As guests entered Sidesaddle Saloon, they were immediately greeted with a custom neon acrylic bar sign—a modern twist that set the tone right away. It was playful, eye-catching, and instantly let guests know this wasn’t just any welcome party. This was a thoughtfully designed kickoff to a wedding weekend rooted in place and personality.

The bar experience itself became a central storytelling element of the night. Rather than a standard setup, guests were treated to multiple fun, unique drink moments throughout the evening. Each offering felt intentional, celebratory, and very “Texas welcome party” in spirit. Custom koozies added a casual, interactive touch—equal parts practical and fun—and gave guests something to carry with them throughout the night (and the weekend).

This approach kept the energy moving without tipping into excess. Guests could mingle, sip, explore the space, and settle into the rhythm of the weekend—exactly what the couple had hoped for.

This welcome party at Sidesaddle Saloon was more than just a pre-wedding event—it was a love letter to Texas and a meaningful way to gather everyone together before the big day. From the first neon glow to the final cocktail, every element reflected the couple’s vision of elevated cowboy style and gracious hospitality.

By keeping the evening focused, intentional, and rooted in place, the couple created an experience that guests will remember long after the weekend ended. It was the perfect beginning to a wedding celebration—stylish, personal, and undeniably Texas.

Photographer: Jeff Brummett Photography

Venue: Joe T Garcia’s

Planner & Designer: Shannon Rose Events

Cinema: 718 Creative

Flowers: Wedfully Yours

Rentals: Posh Couture Rentals

Linen Rentals: BBJ La Tavola

Hair & Makeup: Stephanie Nelson

Paper: Hazelwood Paper Co