As a little girl, Texan Dani Stinger remembers having a vision that her future husband would serenade her with a guitar in front of a big group of people. So when Grant Hammack did exactly that at her sorority house while they were both students at Southern Methodist University, she thought it might lead to more than a college romance. She was right: an engagement came five years later.
Dani was in his ‘family’ from the beginning really; her big sis in the sorority was Grant’s older sister. “She always claims I was hers first,” Dani jokes. For the proposal, Grant recreated a memorable date where he blindfolded her and led her to a pavilion to dance to their favorite songs. “But this time, friends had decorated the pathway with lanterns, pennies and rose petals,” Dani recalls.
St. Louis, Grant’s home, was a perfect middle ground for out-of-towners, and the two adopted a ‘Meet Me in St. Louis’ theme, from their Save the Dates to guest baskets and trolley transportation. “Planning was a completely joint effort between my mom and Grant’s parents,” Dani says. “His mom suggested the Saint Louis Club, and I was blown away by how beautiful it was.” The focus was on friends and family and making sure everyone enjoyed the day for the celebration it was. Dani appreciated a walk with her sister before getting ready, which she says set her heart on the right path. “I remember putting on my dress and thinking, this is a day,” she says. Instead of gifts, the couple wrote letters to each other. Another meaningful touch was having two special songs performed, one ‘The Prayer,’ which Dani says she and her dad would randomly sing together in the kitchen. “It felt like a blessing over Grant and me.”
The couple resides in Houston, where Grant is a project manager for Sundance Construction and Dani is a professional dancer.
resources
ceremony | Central Presbyterian Church
reception | Saint Louis Club
gown | Stephen Yearick
cake | Chef Pierre Chambrin, Saint Louis Club
florist | Bloomin’ Buckets
music | Arvell and Company
honeymoon | The Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, California
wedding party
maid of honor | Alexandria Stinger
bridesmaids | Amy Clements, Laura Fanta, Rachel Trippett, Megan Blaisdell, KayKay Blaisdell, Alexandra Hammack
best man | Curran Hammack
groomsmen | Michael Gardner, Austin Slough, Scott Nelson, David De La Rosa, Andrew Hatzfeld, John Skae
bride’s parents | Joni Stinger of Houston & the late Daniel Stinger
groom’s parents | Michael & Mimi Hammack of Town & Country
wedding date: April 23, 2016
Photos: Conner Photography