Inside a Fashion Designer’s Texas-Sized Party

Brandon Jones and Lela Rose, ready to greet guests at Rey Rosa, the family ranch Rose’s late father built over a period of thirty years, south of Dallas. “It was his favorite place in the world to be—especially when we were all there enjoying it with him,” Rose says. “Brandon and I had our rehearsal dinner at the ranch twenty years ago, and I thought there was no better way to bring people back to this special place. People have their own ideas of what Texas is like and I love to show them something they don’t expect.”

A “Ranch Water” (Topo Chico and tequila) welcome truck greeted guests on arrival.  

Cocktail napkins emblazoned with a personal touch: some of Rose’s favorite cowboy quotes, “including one from my Dad,” she says.

Prairie Palomas arrived with wooden stirrers bearing the Rey Rosa brand.

Another signature cocktail: the Giddy Up Mule.

Rose made sure nothing was too fancy or formal, including the banana split bar and the armadillo race. “I don’t think anyone in attendance had ever done that before!” Rose says with a laugh.

Guests found their table numbers for dinner with a shot of mezcal with a wedge of lime, “for some extra fun before you sat down,” Rose says.

Rose sewed these dinner napkins, and added a buttonhole to the edge so guests could attach their napkins to their shirts.

A pre-dinner view of the outdoor tables.

“In typical Texas style, a giant lightning storm rolled in right as dinner was ending and guests were headed for a covered hanger,” Rose says. “We square danced the rest of the night away to rain and lightning that lit up the sky like firecrackers. I could feel my Dad smiling down on us.”