Honestly, it’s hard to believe how much time has passed since we first saw a tiny Paige Drummond toddling around the Oklahoma ranch in pigtails on the early days of The Pioneer Woman blog. Fast forward to August 2024, and the "mighty" second daughter of Ree and Ladd Drummond is officially headed for the altar. But before the massive 2025 "greenhouse" wedding at the ranch, there was the night it all kicked off: the Paige Drummond engagement party in Dallas.
It wasn't some stiff, corporate ballroom event. It was a sweaty, chaotic, and incredibly emotional rooftop bash that almost didn't happen—at least not as a surprise. If you’ve followed the Drummonds for a while, you know they don't do things halfway, but pulling a fast one on Paige is apparently harder than herding cattle in a thunderstorm.
The Cops and Robbers Strategy in 100-Degree Heat
Ree Drummond actually described the lead-up to the engagement as a game of "cops and robbers." For six weeks, the entire family—plus David Andersen’s family—had to lie through their teeth. David, a construction engineer who’s been dating Paige since mid-2023, had to coordinate a "fake" roommate dinner to get Paige to a park in Dallas without her suspecting a thing.
The plan was basically this: Paige thought she was having a "Roomie Night Out" at the Honor Bar because their apartment lease was up. Instead, her friends "conveniently" drove past a park, told her to get out, and there was David.
It was over 100 degrees that evening in Dallas. Seriously. Ree joked on her blog that by the time they got to the party, it felt like it was roughly 199 degrees. David was even wearing a navy blazer for the proposal—talk about commitment. After he popped the question and she said yes, the couple headed to a rooftop bar next to an old theater for the actual Paige Drummond engagement party, where the real fun began.
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Ranch Waters, Tajin, and "The Great Lie"
While the couple was taking photos in the park, the rest of the Drummond and Andersen clans were high-tailing it to the secret venue. Ree, being Ree, was in charge of the food. She’s admitted she always wants to pick the food. Alex, the eldest sister, took the lead on the logistics and the planning, probably because she's already a pro at this after her own 2021 wedding.
"I was the greatest co-conspirator (liar) during this herculean effort," Ree shared.
The party featured:
- Signature Drinks: Cold Ranch Waters (tequila, lime, and Topo Chico) with Tajin-seasoned rims.
- The Guest List: It was a huge mix. David’s grandparents flew in from as far as Washington. Ree’s mom and her husband Doug drove down. Even "Uncle" Stu, the fan-favorite cousin from the Food Network show, flew in from Chicago.
- The Vibe: High-energy, teary-eyed, and very, very humid.
One of the most human moments Ree shared was about her husband, Ladd. The "Marlboro Man" himself was there, of course, but before they even went to the party, they had to loop back to the park to drop off a roll of paper towels for David. Why? Because the poor guy was sweating through his shirt in that Dallas heat. It’s those little, unglamorous details that make the Drummonds feel like actual people instead of just TV characters.
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Why This Party Set the Stage for the "Disco Rodeo"
If you were looking for clues about the wedding during the Paige Drummond engagement party, they were everywhere. Paige wore a black-and-white maxi dress from Abercrombie—not exactly what you’d expect for a high-profile celeb engagement, but she bought it months prior and just happened to pick it for "roommate night."
It signaled a shift in the family dynamic. While Alex’s wedding was a classic, elegant ranch affair, Paige’s style is leaning into what they eventually called the "Disco Rodeo" theme. We’ve seen this evolve from the engagement party to the "couple's shower" in March 2025, where the vibe was even more refined but still held that Oklahoma soul.
What Most People Missed About David Andersen
People kept asking: "Who is this guy?" David Andersen isn't a TV personality. He’s a construction engineer and an Ohio State alum. Paige and David actually shared a lot of mutual friends from college but didn't start dating until July 2023. Their first date was at a steakhouse—classic.
What’s interesting is that David’s mom, Heather, and Ree have become fast friends. They apparently text all the time. That’s probably why the engagement party felt so seamless; the two families were already "in on it" together. It wasn't just two kids getting married; it was two massive family units merging.
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Actionable Takeaways for Your Own Celebration
If you’re planning an engagement event and want that "Drummond" feel without the Food Network budget, here’s the reality of what worked for them:
- Embrace the Weather: If it’s 100 degrees, don't fight it. Provide "survival kits" (like those paper towels for David) and ice-cold, hydrating drinks like Ranch Waters.
- The "Fake-Out" works best with roommates: Using a routine event—like a lease-ending dinner—is way more believable than a random fancy gala invite.
- Involve the Siblings: Alex Drummond was the MVP of this party. Having a sibling who has recently gone through the process handles the stress so the parents can actually enjoy the "Ranch Waters."
- Prioritize the Reunion: The reason this party felt so special wasn't the décor; it was the fact that people like Stu and the grandparents traveled across the country for a two-hour rooftop bash.
The Paige Drummond engagement party was the first chapter of a very long, very public celebration that culminated in their May 2025 wedding. It proved that even when you’re famous, the best memories usually involve sweating through your shirt and crying over a cocktail with your cousins.
If you are following the timeline, the next logical step is to look at how Paige transitioned from that Dallas rooftop to her "Disco Rodeo" afterparty at P-Town Pizza—it’s a masterclass in staying true to your roots while still throwing a massive party.