Mother of: Blake
Venue: The Nest at Ruth Farms in Ponder, Texas
Vibe: Texas semi-formal
Dress: Teri Jon
Not long before her son Blake got engaged, Tracy Ferguson had her color and style analysis done by House of Colour consultants Alli Smith and Sarah Kraus in Canton, Georgia, who confirmed that she looks best in cool colors. So when Tracy tried on a sky blue, off-the-shoulder, A-line dress that seemed like a great fit for mother of the groom, she felt that much more certain it was a match.
“Knowing in advance what helps enhance your natural beauty makes shopping a breeze,” Tracy says. “You instantly know what doesn't work for you, and that way you can quickly narrow down what does.”
Tracy is the mother of two NFL players—the groom, Blake Ferguson, is a long snapper for the Miami Dolphins; his older brother Reid Ferguson is also a long snapper, for the Buffalo Bills.
But it was country music—not football—that brought Blake and his bride Abbey together. Both are big fans of the west Texas band Flatland Cavalry. Abbey saw Blake featured in an Instagram story on Flatland’s account and followed him. He followed her back. Soon they were DM’ing and getting to know each other long distance. They finally met in person in Miami in August, 2022. Blake proposed in December, 2023. They got married in July.
“Their love for each other is evident and contagious,” Tracy says. "Abbey is a beautiful young woman, and in her presence, she makes you feel just as beautiful. Blake is a loving, thoughtful, relational young man who never met a stranger. Together, they love each other and their friends and family deeply, but also enjoy light-hearted banter and making each other and others laugh."
The wedding took place at The Nest at Ruth Farms, a classic chapel and white barn wedding venue near Fort Worth in Abbey’s home state of Texas.
The dress code: Texas semi-formal. “The attire was light, summery, and cheerful,” Tracy says. "But jeans and cowboy boots and hats were welcome!" Blake and his groomsmen wore Tecovas with their blue suits. Abbey switched into white boots for the reception.
With the bridesmaids wearing a sunny yellow dresses and the mother of the bride Shelley in a minty green, Abbey suggested her future mother-in-law consider light blue.
Tracy made an appointment at the Susan Lee boutique in Atlanta, where stylist Savannah Boyd suggested the Teri Jon by Rickie Freeman dress she ended up selecting…but not immediately. “I knew the sky blue color, texture and style of the dress were perfect for me, but I decided to continue to look around because I had a few weeks.”
An extensive online search and trips to the local malls confirmed what Tracy already knew in her heart. “Nothing was even close to measuring up.” She returned to Susan Lee and bought the sky blue Teri Jon.
“The A-line style suited me best, the delicate off-shoulder style allowed me to stay cool in the Texas July heat and wrapped across my upper arms, which was just enough coverage for my taste!”
She accessorized in silver bejeweled wedge heels, her pearl choker and Kate Spade pearl earrings with a bit a sparkle. She carried her great grandmother’s handkerchief with her to the wedding, and made sure to have it in hand during her mother/son dance with Blake.
The highlight of the reception was a performance by Cleto Cordero, the lead singer of Flatland Cavalry, the band that brought Blake and Abbey together. He sang the band’s hit “One I Want” for the couple’s first dance. After that, he stepped up the tempo and everyone joined in a rousing Texas dance party.
| Photography by Meda Abigail Photoraphy