After being told for months by two mutual friends who were dating that they should meet, Erin Clevlen finally met Blake McGovern at a birthday party. “The most memorable part of our first meeting was how handsome he was and how easily our conversation flowed,” Erin reveals. “It felt like we’d known each other forever, and I wanted to keep talking all night.” Blake was equally smitten: “It felt like there was a connection right away.” Six months later, he began searching for the perfect engagement ring.

Blake later proposed at Hotel Drover, the same location where they enjoyed their first date and would eventually host their winter nuptials. As the twosome walked to dinner while on a staycation at the property, Blake got down on one knee. “He said, ‘You’re the love of my life, and I want to love you for the rest of my life,’” shares Erin. “It was heartfelt.” 

Though Blake had a big hand in certain aspects of planning, he encouraged Erin to hone in on her vison to make their wedding feel homey and meaningful. The couple relied heavily on their wedding planners to lead the way during the process. “It was the best decision! I found myself reaching out to Sarah frequently to bounce ideas off her and to make sure we were on track,” admits the bride. “It was so nice to have someone help me rein in my vision.”

The ceremony theme evolved into a “Romantic Garden Party” featuring trees, hedges, and blooms – crafted by the floral designers at Bella Flora of Dallas – and even fresh greenery was suspended from the ceiling of the clear glass tent that was erected on the hotel property for the special occasion. 

“It felt ethereal and romantic… luckily, the weather was perfect on the day, so the light shining through helped with the look of it all,” adds Erin. When “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley began playing, Blake knew his beloved would be making her grand entrance. “Blake and I fell in love quickly and got engaged quickly, so the lyrics of the song really hit home for us,” confides the bride, who says she cries every time she hears it. 

“Have fun planning all the aesthetics, but don’t forget it’s about love and commitment.”

Erin was a sight to behold. She stunned onlookers, wearing a feminine lace gown with floral embellishments. Her bridesmaids wore gowns in light blue, a bit of a foreshadowing to the slight change in style for the reception décor. “We added in some western flair,” illustrates the bride. Guests found their table assignments on Lucite wedges that sat on blue-tinted cocktail glasses, so that attendees didn’t have to wait in line at the bar right from the start.

Tablescapes were made to feel cozy by placing an “overwhelming number of candles on them,” says Erin, who loved the ambience of a candlelit dinner party. Personalized leather straps served as napkin holders, lovely linens that looked as if florals had been sprinkled on them adorned tables, and gilt-rimmed charger plates and flatware were situated at each place setting. 

Four-leaf clovers were dotted throughout the design as a nod to Blake’s Irish heritage – as well as tasty late-night snacks of different types of potatoes to honor his relatives who are potato farmers. It was a great pick-me-up for dancing all night to the lively band from EastCoast Entertainment. The new Mr. and Mrs. even joined them on stage to sing and dance for two songs, followed by the groom stage diving into the crowd. “It was so fun and memorable,” he exclaims. 

Beyond wishing they had arranged for an after-party, the newlyweds were giddy with happiness from it all. “We were enjoying ourselves so much that I think extending it a little would’ve been so great,” admits Erin. “My biggest advice for other couples is to remember that, at the core, the day is to celebrate the love you and your partner have for each other. Have fun planning all the aesthetics, but don’t forget it’s about love and commitment.”

This real wedding was originally published in the Winter 2025 issue of Inside Weddings magazine. 

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