Highfield & Gordon

Sometimes people can't help but fall in love with their best friend, and that is exactly what Nicole Highfield and Kenneth Gordon did. The couple was first introduced in 2003, when Kenneth interviewed Nicole for a position at one of his companies in East Texas. A mutual friend suggested that Nicole would be a perfect fit for the position. Never did they imagine that they would be husband and wife 12 years later.

Kenneth planned to propose to Nicole on top of the ferris wheel at the Texas State Fair last fall. His plan backfired when she did not want to wait in the long line and was ready to leave.

“I had the ring burning a hole in my pocket all day and was trying to think of another place to propose,” he said .

He finally convinced her to go to the Reunion Tower in Dallas, as she had never been there.

“He took me to the top of Reunion Tower and we were looking at the Dallas skyline. We found the perfect view and started taking pictures,” she said.

Kenneth then got down on one knee and asked Nicole to marry him.

“He had tears in his eyes and I was in total shock — I blurted out that I think I'm going to throw up,” she laughs. “He told me that he did not expect that response and then I, of course, said yes. We both cried.”

The couple has three children: Colby and Emily Gordon, and Connor Highfield.

The big day: Sept. 5, 2015

Best Men and Maid of Honor: “We wanted our children to be a big part of our special day. My son, Connor, walked me down the aisle. Colby and Connor both stood by Kenneth, and Emily stood by me,” Nicole said.

“We would not have had it any other way,” added Kenneth.

The location: Lookout Point Lakeside Inn, in Hot Springs. The outdoor ceremony took place in the lush gardens facing Lake Hamilton.

The reception: It was held at the inn in the formal dining room.

The guests were served appetizers while the bride and groom had their photo shoot. The appetizers consisted of fresh fruit skewers with creamy brown sugar dip, caprese salad skewers, and shrimp cocktail shooters.

The bride and groom were welcomed to the reception by their guests with a round of applause. They exchanged special gifts with each other and danced their first dance as husband and wife to “All of Me” by John Legend. The bride then danced with her father to “I Loved Her First” by Heartland. The groom and his daughter joined them.

A formal sitdown dinner was served. The menu was catered by chef Johnna Daggett Westerman.

The cake was a simple, yet elegant two tier white butter-cream confection by Ambrosia Bakery. The traditional wedding cake flavor of white with almond was absolutely delicious. It was accented with fresh coral rose buds and double-heart cake topper. The embossed beading and sparkling rhinestones made this silver-plated center-piece stunning. It was a gift from the bride's mother.

The look: The bride let her new daughter pick the over-all theme, color palette and more. It was a very classic look with the colors of coral and shades of gray, along with silver accents.

The bride and maid of honor carried gorgeous fresh bouquets with coral roses and white calla lilies wrapped in gray satin ribbon. The bride's mother wore a wrist corsage of coral roses and the guys wore matching boutonnières.

The welcome table located in the lobby was decorated with a dark gray satin table cloth and coral sheer overlay. A large black and white engagement photo with sign-able mat was displayed for guests to sign.

The guests visited in the lobby and sunroom before being seated in the gardens facing Lake Hamilton near dusk. Near the altar, a small decorated table displayed framed photos of the bride's maternal and paternal late grandparents with a lit candle in their memory. An empty chair next to the groom's father displayed a large photo of the groom's late mother who passed away from cancer in 2012.

The cake table was decorated with a dark gray satin table cloth and coral sheer overlay. The bridal bouquets were displayed in vases, along with two crystal candlesticks, topped with gray pillar candles. A silver photo frame with sparkling rhinestones displayed a photo of the bride and groom. Chilled champagne and toasting flutes for the bride, groom and their guests was displayed nicely on the table, along with punch, mixed nuts and mints.

The dress: Nicole chose a white, strapless jewel tulle over satin gown with soutache lace detail. The trumpet skirt added dimension and movement, along with a sweep train that was later bustled for the reception. She chose to wear a simple, yet elegant hair comb with soutache lace and jewels with her side up-do.

Most unforgettable moment: Both Kenneth and Nicole said they have to agree that the most unforgettable moment was when the preacher included their children in the ceremony. He had them all place their hands on the Bible with his to bless their marriage and their new family. The pictures show just how special this moment was to all of them.

The honeymoon: The honeymoon was held at the Inn also. An extended honeymoon is planned next spring.