In October 2011, two women who were friends at Southern Methodist University reconnected at their 25th college reunion and realized that they both had children attending Texas Christian University. One of these children, Page Carrère Bailey, thought this was a neat coincidence and decided to send a Facebook message inviting the other to lunch: “Hey Will! So, I think our moms are friends? I was wondering if you wanted to get together for lunch or go out sometime when we get back from [Thanksgiving] break?” Robert William Meachum Jr. responded, “Yeah, I’d love to get together once we get back [from break]! When would be a good time for you to meet up?”
Before they met, Page confided in her roommate “I don’t know why, but I have really good feeling about this, but I don’t want to get my hopes up!” Will picked Page up from her dorm and they went to Panera Bread for lunch. Page had a test the next day and knew she needed to study. They lost track of time, and over two hours later they ended up rushing back to campus and swapping phone numbers!
Seven years later, the couple was visiting Will’s grandparents’ house in Jackson, Wyoming over Christmas. They were walking towards the antler arches in the town’s main square, which were all wrapped in twinkle lights, and Page asked if Will wanted a picture because the arches were so pretty. They took the picture, and after the picture he got down on one knee and proposed. As Page said yes, she had no way of knowing that Jackson lets visitors log in to the city’s webcams pointed at the square, so her parents were watching the whole proposal live from New Orleans, the city where Will and Page would marry!
The celebration began with the rehearsal at Arnaud’s, where guests enjoyed signature dishes such as French 75s, souffléd potatoes, shrimp Arnaud and Bananas Foster. The next day, October 12, 2019, Page’s godmother and a family friend hosted a lunch for the bride and her attendants. Later that afternoon, Page walked down the aisle of the chapel at Academy of the Sacred Heart, where she – as well as her mother, aunts, cousins and grandmother – had attended school. Her something borrowed, a handkerchief wrapped around her bouquet, had been carried by her grandmother on her own wedding day. After the ceremony officiated by Msgr. Christopher Nalty, the festivities continued at the New Orleans Country Club.
The New Orleans Country Club created a custom menu for the reception, complete with a raw bar overflowing with oysters, a sushi bar with chefs hand-rolling sushi all night and an avocado bar featuring avocado halves with many different toppings to “dress” the avocados. The groom’s cake in the shape of the TCU stadium paid tribute to the place where they met and fell in love. Guests felt the love as they watched Page and Will during their first dance as a married couple to the Beatles’ song “I Will.”
After an amazing night celebrating with family and friends, the newlyweds took a weeklong honeymoon to Maui, Hawaii. They live in Dallas, where Will is a commercial real estate analyst and Page is a pediatric registered dietitian.
Reception Décor: Katie Rafferty Carnival papier mâché white flowers, twinkle lights and greenery
Coordinator: Vicki Evans Events
Ceremony Music: Jodi McWilliams
Wedding Gown: Modern Trousseau from Wedding Belles
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate from Wedding Belles
Groom’s and Groomsmen’s Attire: Black tie from Perlis New Orleans
Engagement Ring: Round, brilliant cut diamond with round full cut diamonds as accents custom made by Christina Elmore in Dallas, TX
Bride’s Wedding Band: Diamond eternity band with round full cut diamonds custom made by Christina Elmore in Dallas, TX
Groom’s Wedding Band: Gold band from Friend and Company engraved with the couple’s initials and date of ceremony
Florist: Mead Wenzel
Favor: Purple koozie with “M” on one side and the couple’s names and wedding date on the other, and handmade sugar cookies by Will’s aunt
Invitation: Ivory Crane and Co. card designed by Betty Hunley with calligraphy by Gina Cox
Wedding Cake: Beth Biundo Sweets
Groom’s Cake: Zoe’s Bakery in Covington
Photographer: Jessica Bachmann Photography
Hair: Casie Caillouet
Makeup: Naomi Corass
Music: ELS
