On Thanksgiving Day 2022, Dallas Cowboys safety Malik Hooker played a big game, returned home, eventually followed his then-girlfriend Dayonna Dixon into the kitchen where she prepared him a plate, and knelt before her. “He had been following me around the house all evening,” the bride laughs, noting that the NFL star was nervous before the proposal. “When he opened the box, he was so nervous that he didn’t realize he had proposed to me with my wedding ring. He’s shaking and about to give a speech, and I’m wondering if that’s an engagement ring. He starts telling me how long it took and how much he loves me, and then asks, ‘Will you marry me?’ I say yes! But I’m wondering, where is my actual ring?”

They got their ring sorted (it was just in a different box!) and were getting ready to plan their February 18, 2024 wedding, which utilized Valentine’s Day’s iconic pink palette to create a lush, enchanted forest at the Joule Hotel in Dallas, Texas. After attending other weddings at the venue and touring the two-story bridal suite, Dayonna, a trained cosmetologist, knew the venue was the perfect place to bring her wedding day vision to life.

The bride and groom enlisted Whitney Bailey of Engaged Events to create a stunning white and pink wonderland in several locations throughout the hotel: They decorated a rooftop space—accessible only by glass elevator—with white tulle for the ceremony, created a lush pink floral tunnel that led guests into a floral-filled dining room, and transformed a terrace into a chic lounge for after-dinner dancing. Cream, purple, and blush accented lighter pinks, creating a palette that was bold, romantic, and elegant. The couple incorporated cherry blossom accents throughout the design – including a row of trees in the reception area – as a nod to the bride’s Washington, DC roots

The reduced guest list—just 88 friends and family members—allowed Dayonna and Malik to spend time with everyone and relax throughout the day, creating lifelong memories. “With such a small guest count, they wanted to give guests an experience they would never forget,” says Bailey. Check out all the photos from their Texas celebration below, captured by Alba Rose Photography.

A series of invitations by Scribbles and Swirls in shades of pink and purple gave a taste of the pastel color palette of the couple’s wedding, while clean fonts and an embossed monogram nodded to the modern elements. A deliberate stamp collection included a cherry blossom stamp that hinted at the floral design, while a square detail card with an embossed floral element referenced the dress code: “pastel cocktail attire.”

Dayonna, a skincare expert, perfected her complexion the week before the wedding with a Hydrafacial and Dermaplane facial, and she also swears by The Lab by Blanc Doux toner pads. She polished her nails with a French-tip manicure with chrome accents and a 3D swirl, and asked hairstylist Raven to create a “soft and elegant” half-up, half-down hairstyle.

The bride quickly settled on a custom Alonuko Bridal sheath dress with a plunging neckline, off-the-shoulder organza sleeves and a dramatic layered train—it was the first look she tried on. “My heart stopped,” she says. “I felt so beautiful, I knew this was it.” Her accessories included pearl gloves, Bulgari jewelry, Bella Belle shoes with sparkling pearls and a tulle accent, and a personalized pin honoring her late mother, a gift from her maid of honor.

Dayonna’s two best friends wore pale pink dresses by House of CB to match the pastel dress code and carried bouquets of fluttering sweet peas by Grō Designs. Although Dayonna originally planned to wear a bouquet of pink peonies, she changed the peonies on the day of the wedding and swapped them for classic garden roses.

Malik and his groomsmen wore custom suits from the Miguel Wilson Collection; the man of the hour opted for a white paisley jacket with pink lapels to match his vest and bow tie, and completed his outfit with Alexander McQueen shoes and a single rose boutonniere to match Dayonna’s bouquet. The goal, the couple says, was a pastel-colored look that was “classy, ​​individual and elegant.” The personalized cufflinks featured photos of Malik and his late father, as well as Malik with his daughter.

The couple exchanged a first look and took a few portraits in the hallways of the hotel before getting ready for the ceremony.

A white acrylic walkway led from the hotel’s glass elevator to the ceremony room, which was covered in layers of sheer and white fabric. The couple stood on a round white platform surrounded by low, growing arrangements of pink and ivory blooms and cherry blossoms, and guests sat in a circle around them.

After exiting the glass elevator to begin her processional, Dayonna met her father halfway down the aisle and walked arm-in-arm with him to the altar; the couple’s daughter donned a beaded dress to accompany her parents as flower girl.

Malik and Dayonna personalized their wedding with vows and readings they wrote themselves and performed a traditional broom jumping ceremony. After saying “I do,” the newlyweds danced out of the room to “Matrimony” by Wale and Usher.

Textured white tablecloths, cut glass votive candles, and white roses adorned the tables in the cocktail reception area outside the ballroom. A floral tunnel in various shades of pink—with the couple’s signature cherry blossom accents—opened up to the formal dining room.

A line of cherry blossom trees with pink petals between serpentine dining tables ran down the center of the couple’s reception room, while pale pink drapes on the walls created an intimate, romantic atmosphere. Long tables were lined with pillar candles and vases of flowers, and round stations were accented with clear candelabras and low flowers. Mirrors at each end of the room helped bring Dayonna’s vision of an endless, enchanted forest to life.

Elegant table settings included patterned plates, acrylic table numbers, and freshly folded napkins with pale pink menus. The couple opted for a three-course meal that included appetizers of roasted chicken and shiitake broth, short ribs, and seared salmon.

For the reception, Malik donned another custom look—this time in pink and black satin with black loafers—while Dayonna opted for a one-shouldered House of CB gown with a flowing skirt (perfect for the dance floor). The couple and their guests returned to the patio cocktail area—which the planner had transformed into a sleek lounge area in white—where DJ Bowtie and electric violinist John Violinist played music.

Malik and Dayonna chose “While We’re Young” by Jene Aiko for their first dance, while Dayonna and her dad danced to “Daddy” by Beyonce and Malik and his mom chose “A Song for Mama” by Boyz II Men.

A five-tiered white chocolate wedding cake from Dallas Affaires featured a draped design inspired by the luxurious textures of the bride’s ceremony dress.

Just before leaving, Dayonna changed into a sparkly long-sleeved mini dress by Albina Dyla, which she wore for the couple’s outing. The send-off capped off a day full of special moments, the couple says, including “being surrounded by family and friends, all coming together and getting married and just enjoying the whole day.”