Grace Riley Design: Bringing Vision to Life Through Design

Serving brides and business owners through custom designs, Dallas Baptist University alumna Grace Salmon '23 founded Grace Riley Design, a company dedicated to making each couple's wedding a lasting memory and bringing businesses' visions to life.

Growing up in a Christian home in South Florida, where her parents modeled what it looked like to live like Jesus, Grace began making her faith her own after accepting Christ around the age of ten. When her family moved to Houston, TX, she began facing uncertainty about starting over in a new place. "Those years taught me that God truly works all things together for the good of those who love Him," Grace shares. Her faith grew stronger, and the Lord became a constant in her life rather than just an added benefit.

While touring college campuses, Grace struggled to find peace about where she should attend. However, on her third visit to DBU, Grace clearly felt the Lord telling her that DBU was the place for her if she wanted to glorify Him with her life and experience an education influenced by biblical truth.

As a student at DBU, Grace served in the University Communications Department, where her passion for graphic design grew. During her time on campus, she met some of her best friends, made memories that would last a lifetime, and strengthened her relationship with the Lord. Throughout her experience at DBU, Grace notes how each professor, colleague, and fellow student took time to invest, encourage, and pray for her.

Graduating with her bachelor's degree in Christian Studies, Grace continued serving at DBU as the Assistant Director of Creative Services. While on staff, she helped promote campus events like Homecoming and DBU's Leadership Gala, created designs for the University's Women's Auxiliary Board, and spent her evenings and weekends building her business, Grace Riley Design.

What began as an outlet to explore different types of graphic design soon grew to be an established business. Inspiration for Grace Riley Design came after she designed elements for her own wedding, including the save-the-date and day-of signage, creating a cohesive look throughout the celebration.

Wondering if other brides were looking for the same coordinated style, Grace became passionate about creating a business that would serve brides in this way.

When Grace Riley Design began, Grace primarily worked with brides to create custom wedding stationery and signage. Over the past two years, her business has grown to offer more for potential clients. Alongside working with wedding clients, Grace Riley Design now includes branding services for businesses, event design, and more.

As Grace serves brides and business owners, she hopes to bring each client's vision to life. For couples, the goal is to reflect their wedding aesthetic through designs they can cherish for years to come, and for businesses, she creates unique branding that reflects each company's personality, mission, and intended client audience.

Grace has had the opportunity to serve many brides and business owners over the years, including several DBU alumni. As she watches Grace Riley Design grow, bringing each client's vision to life, she hopes that each person feels cared for and is happy with the end product.

"I want this business to be excellent in what we do, but also really good at working with people, ministering to them, and loving them like Jesus does," she says. As DBU taught her what servant leadership looks like, Grace aims to make the company more than a business by intentionally finding ways to support and pray for those she encounters.

Through the challenges Grace has faced in learning to balance her business and spending time with her son, she has learned to face each day with gratitude and grace for herself.

Today, Grace continues to serve at DBU as a graphic designer while also staying home with her son and growing Grace Riley Design. Grace is married to her high school sweetheart, Caleb, who is also a DBU alum and currently serves as the University's Director of Construction.

To incoming and current DBU students, Grace encourages them to embrace the opportunities before them, and to learn and grow along the way.