When Candace and Tommy Hankins tied the knot on Sept. 15, 2018, it was truly a family affair. A friend officiated, cousins showed up in droves to bake desserts and stuff confetti poppers, and the whole thing was hosted at the venue Tommy’s parents own: Ant Street Inn in Brenham.
The couple met working at the same company in Irving. Their friendship turned into a relationship and quickly moved on to an engagement. Five months later, they were married.
Even before they were engaged, Candace and Tommy started planning their wedding. It was during one of these planning sessions that Tommy decided to propose. He made an excuse to run home and returned to Candace’s apartment with the ring. That ring was bought at the same store Tommy’s dad had bought his mom’s engagement ring — and sold by the son of the man who sold his dad his mom’s ring.
For the Hankins, having their wedding in Brenham was like having a destination wedding, since no one in the wedding but Tommy’s parents lived there.
“All the groomsmen and bridesmaids spent the night [at Ant Street Inn] which was really nice,” says Candace. “We had people coming from all over, so we didn’t have to worry about people not making it back to their hotel from the rehearsal dinner or not making it to something on time. Our brid
al party loved still being together that night after the wedding. They went and got tacos at midnight in their hotel robes.”
The Hankins loved using local vendors since they knew the area well. Their photographer was able to take them all around downtown Brenham for their portraits because she knew all the best spots.
“Because we had so many friends help us, I think more people felt included in our big day,” says Tommy. “Because it’s a small town, everybody knew my mom and dad and they still ask about us. It wasn’t just our day — it was a big day for our people as well.”
Despite the threat of rain, Tommy and Candace were able to have their ceremony out in the garden before taking the party inside to the ballroom for the reception. Their musician friend provided the music for the ceremony and learned the Friends theme song on the piano by ear to play as the bridal party walked down the aisle.
“My favorite part of the day was the end of the ceremony when they said, ‘You may kiss the bride,’” says Candace. “The fog of the stress of the day was lifted, and I loved looking out and seeing all my friends and family.”
Tommy prides himself on how much fun everyone had at the reception, from the food to the dancing to the personal touches. He surprised Candace and thrilled guests by working with the DJ to create a special set where he serenaded Candace with his saxophone.
“At the reception we brought out Blue Bell, and [our guests] said it was the best reveal,” says Tommy. “You can’t not have Blue Bell in Brenham.”
Other personal touches that made the night special were the seating chart based on cities the couple had been to together or wanted to visit and having a family friend drive them around town in his old-school car for their “getaway car.” Since making all these decisions can be overwhelming, what’s Candace’s advice to brides?
“Once you’ve made a decision, get off Pinterest, unfollow all the wedding accounts, check it off the list, and move on,” she says.
Two years in, they say they wouldn’t change a thing.
“It was great — I’d do it again,” says Tommy.
Hankins Vendors: Photographer: Kathlyn Dragna Photography Flowers: Moosefeathers Florist DJ: Downtown Event Services Caterer: Funky Art Cafe Cake: friend of the bride Desserts: cousin of bride Venue: Ant Street Inn Dresses for Bride and Bridesmaids: Terry Costa (Dallas) Additional Lodging: Main Street House Rehearsal Dinner: LJ’s BBQ
