Texas Weddings

Good morning LBBers! We’ve got a wonderfully romantic wedding to start your day off right. A soft color palette, be it creams, pastels, or in this case purples, can put a gorgeous, fresh feel on a wedding. It’s subtle, romantic, and lets the couple shine in all their beauty. This Austin couple was beyond beautiful, and their wedding was just an extension of their love. The gorgeous bride married her man in uniform on a beautiful day in Texas, and lucky for us, Q Weddings was on hand to capture the love, the soft, romantic colors, and the style. Make sure to visit the gallery for the rest of this gorgeous affair!

John attended prep school in New England with my best friend and matron of honor, Casey Mayfield.   Casey introduced us five years after graduation in south Texas where John was stationed for flight school as a naval aviator.  After going on only two dates in Texas, John moved to Florida to continue his training while I moved to California to begin veterinary school.

Upon completion of flight school, John’s first duty station was in San Diego where after three years he proposed during halftime of the Super Bowl.  After convincing me to take a walk to the beach, I reluctantly agreed (I was busy eating and consequently spilling my bowl of chili on my cute top).  The beach was seven blocks away but John only made it two before getting down on one knee and asking me to marry him.  Needless to say, it was a great surprise and I instantly regretted spilling chili all over my shirt.

As our family and friends are scattered about the country, we wanted to plan a wedding in a central location.  The fun and energetic city of Austin was the natural choice because my family lives there, I attended the University of Texas,  and it is smack in the middle of the country. We wanted to be married outdoors, near water but also close to the city which made the Four Seasons on Lake Austin the perfect place.  The venue encompassed just the right amount of unique Texas style while maintaining an understated elegance we were seeking.

John and I wanted a formal wedding with timeless style…. elegant, classic with incorporated Art Deco vintage elements, yet with subtle individual touches.  He wore his Navy choker whites while I chose a vintage style gown with delicate beading reminiscent of the Great Gatsby era. Because lavender is my favorite color, we incorporated touches of dusty lavender to jazz up the neutral palette throughout the wedding decor as well as the bridesmaid’s dresses.  My mother even decorated her delicious homemade jam wedding favors with lavender. The groom’s cake was designed as a surprise to John to represent the other loves in his life; his beloved dog, Jobu, surfing, aviation, and Boston sports.  Coco Paloma couldn’t have done a better job on his cake and his reaction upon seeing it was priceless.

There are so many unforgettable moments from our wedding day, but the military arch of swords following the ceremony is among my favorites.  The arch of swords is a beautiful tradition that welcomes spouses into the Navy family and symbolizes the sacred union between a military officer and his wife. John left on a seven month deployment shortly after our wedding day, and like so many other military spouses in our country, I am counting down the days to his return so we can resume our lives as husband and wife.

Event Planner: Cristin Meehan, Weddings By Kennedy / Floral Designer: Jennifer’s Gardens / Cake Designer: Paloma Efron, Coco Paloma / Dress Designer: Kenneth Pool / Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Favors:  Homemade Colorado Cherry Choke Jam by the bride’s mother / String Quartet: Divisi Strings / Band: The Pictures Band / Photography: Q Weddings / Letterpress Paper Suite: Paper Chez / Cinematographer: 2nd Generation Videos / Film Work: Richard Photo

Prepare to kick those mid-week blues to the curb, SMPers, because this lovely Austin fête by Forever Photography Studio is guaranteed to put a spring in your step and a smile on your face this gorgeous Fall day.  Yes, it’s true.  I have been all aglow with happiness since the moment I laid my eyes on this beauty of an affair, complete with one very vibrant color palette, a breathtaking garden setting and some of the most beautiful blooms I have ever seen by Bouquets of Austin.  And don’t even get me started on the sweet as can be bride and groom, whose description of the day made me cry some seriously happy tears.  Now this is how you spend a Wednesday.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

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From the Bride… We couldn’t wait for the day to finally come.  After living in different cities for the past 4 years, we were ready to get married!  When Nick and I got engaged, we knew exactly what we wanted – to get married in Austin near the lake and have an awesome party with our family and friends.  Austin was where we met, and we felt it was only right to start the rest of our lives in the same city we started our relationship.

Nature’s Point was the perfect venue for us – simple, fun, and relaxing with a little Southern charm.  From the moment we started planning, things just seemed to come together and we seemed to always find the perfect vendor that fit our personalities.  From our florist, to our caterer, to our wonderful photographers, we knew that each one of them would help us make our day as special as we had hoped.  They all knew just what we wanted, and we couldn’t have been happier the day of.  Our family and friends got to enjoy some of our favorite foods and drinks – mac ‘n’ cheese with a little Texas Tea – next to a beautiful lake view! The flowers in our bouquets and centerpieces were so beautiful and came out better than we had ever imagined.   And our photographers captured all the perfect moments we wanted to remember for the rest of our lives.

We loved absolutely everything about our wedding, and looking back, we wouldn’t have changed a single thing.  From the beginning, I had told Nick that our wedding pictures were the most important thing to me.  I knew that the day would fly by, and the pictures would help me remember the little things that I might have missed or the moments that I wish had lasted longer – to seeing our parents and my Grandma give their blessings to us, to my sisters so freely accepting Nick into the family, to our friends dancing the night away.  The pictures truly captured the joy in everyone’s face, and we were so happy to be surrounded by those we loved.

Our wedding day not only represented the beginning of our lives together, but also the day we would finally be in the same city and would be able to go to work each day knowing that we had each other to come home to.  We chose to say our own vows at the wedding because we not only wanted to show our commitment to always be there for each other, but to always be there to support each other and to continue to be best friends.  For me, that day showed me how truly blessed we were – we share a love that grows each day, we have a family that supports and loves us no matter what, and we have amazing friends that keep us laughing through all the hard times.  We are truly blessed indeed.

Wedding Photography: Forever Photography Studio / Wedding Cake: Simon Lee Bakery / Wedding Dress: Brickhouse Bridal / Flowers: Bouquets of Austin / DJ: Greenbelt DJ Productions / Caterer: Austin Catering / Hair and Make-Up: Keep Austin Gorgeous / Wedding Venue: Nature’s Point

These charming Hill Country nuptials have grabbed a hold of my heart strings in a big way and I don’t see them ever letting go.  That’s more than alright with me, though, because I can’t even begin to describe my love for this darling affair, complete with a rustic venue (mind-blowing views included), a beyond gorgeous bouquet and a plethora of uber-sweet, organic touches.  Plus, the stunning bride and groom are both rockin’ cowboy boots and, oh, how I adore that.  I predict a day spent wrapped up in each and every brilliant image captured by MPrint Photography, but before I send you off to the gallery to gaze away, I couldn’t help but end this little intro with a quote from the beautiful bride… “I just can’t imagine a better way to spend your wedding than dancing under the stars after a perfect sunset with a groom in seersucker.”  How very awesome is that?!?  Click here for even more.

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From the Bride… I spent one weekend in and around Austin looking for a venue, knowing it would have to be a hill country setting. On our last day, I squeezed in one final visit at a new property venture at the suggestion of a friend of my mother’s (you never know who you’ll meet in line at Antone’s when you talk as much as my mother). The long dirt road leading to the property did not exactly scream “this is it!” but as soon as I got out of the car and saw the view, I knew we had found something special.

The uncompromising beauty of this place was enough. Carol at Tres Lunas did an amazing job letting me have the reigns and customizing everything to my style. She even found the beautiful 1915 Model T we drove away in. Meredith at MPrint did an unbelievable job of capturing the sunset behind the huge oak tree, lovingly referred to as Dorothy by those in the know, and the simplicity of the event. The groom’s brother played Moon River on the ukulele as I walked down the aisle. He was so good, we even attracted a few ranch cats- a lovely ceremony surprise. The whole thing was unbelievably perfect and I just can’t imagine a better way to spend your wedding than dancing under the stars after a perfect sunset with a groom in seersucker.

Wedding Photography: MPrint Photography / Wedding Location: Tres Lunas Resort / Wedding Dress: Nicole Miller

Take a seat, get cozy and get ready to be blown away by some oh so pretty vineyard inspiration captured by Carlea J Photography at Westcave Cellars Winery. I don’t even know where to begin with this beyond stunning shoot – shall I start with the amazing design by Petal Pushers? I think I shall, because every little detail they brought to the oh so pretty table is perfection. Or how about that drop dead gorgeous ombre cake by Amazing Kakes? That’s a pin-worthy cake if I ever did see one. And the custom jewelry by Merrick Jewels? I die. It’s all so lovely, and there is more inspiration to soak up in the full gallery of images!

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From Carlea J Photography…The idea for this shoot came from several evenings spent drinking wine under the trees with our good friends Margaret and Allan Fetty who own Westcave Cellars Winery.  My husband Dustin helped plant the original vines in the vineyard when he was in high school and ever since I started coming around,  I always thought it would make an excellent wedding venue. What really drew me to it was the idea of creating an event without a defined space or the use of a lot of extra elements and structures. There doesn’t need to be a tent or a stage or one set area when there is so much natural beauty to incorporate instead. So many options for each bride to use the space differently! From there, the idea for a styled shoot with a ceremony in the actual vines was born. I went for a more formal look with the tux and high end jewelry to show that just because you are having an outdoor wedding, it doesn’t mean that it can’t be elegant and push the envelope of what people are expecting when they hear “outdoors.”

Margaret loaned us her antique table and the hutch for the dessert display. She hand wove all of the wooden vine elements, including the fixture above the table, the wreath in the ceremony setting, and the L and D letters. Margaret acted as a liaison for all of the vendors, facilitating visits and meetings to conceptualize for the shoot. Her husband Allan did lots of heavy lifting, including constructing a last minute apparatus to hoist the ceremony wreath overhead.

Stacey and the team from Petal Pushers completely and totally blew me away with what they created. I told her that I wanted something enchanted, romantic, and vineyard-feeling, with lots of deep wine colors and greenery. Something loose and unkempt and earthy, that would blend with the natural setting. I especially love the artichokes and lettuce she incorporated into the bouquets as well as the dark black fuzzy flowers. The flowers she hand wove into the overheard fixtures are to die for! The centerpieces were amazing. I loved the way they seemed to be growing out of the urns rather than stiff or arranged just right. Down to the smallest details, like the boutonniere, everything was just spot on. Stacey also loaned us the chairs and china for the shoot. Petal Pushers has recently expanded into event design and rents several items including chairs and decorative china.

Amazing Kakes created a three layer purple cake that fades to white at the top. She also supplied fruit tarts, cookies, and an original dessert that she calls Kake Krystals, which are layers of Westcave Cellars wine infused red velvet and vanilla cake and icing alternated in etched Westcave Cellars wine glasses.  (We got to taste them after the shoot and they were divine!). We wanted the hutch to look like it was being taken over by nature, thus the vines growing out of the drawers and shelves.
Merrick Bean, owner of Merrick Jewels, designed an array of bridal statement pieces for the bridal model to wear, as well as several colored pieces for the bridesmaid model. In addition to her ongoing line, Merrick has recently begun to work with brides create custom pieces for their big day.

Adrienne of Makeup by Adrienne created a bold yet romantic makeup look with purple eyeshadow for the bride and stained lips for the bridesmaid to compliment both the whimsical feel of the shoot and the modern jewelry. Drew and Jordan of Doopla Salon twisted and braided the girls’ hair into a loose, enchanted look. The bridal gown was loaned by Signature Bridal Salon in Austin Texas and the tux was loaned by Capra and Cavelli.

A big thanks to the models, Lauren, Dave, and Avery, for enduring the 100+ degree August heat with a smile on their faces!! I could not have done this shoot without my amazing second shooter, Ashley Font, who is the yin to my yang, and captured half of the wonderful photos from this day.

Concept + Styling: Carlea Wilson of Carlea J Photography / Wedding Photography: Carlea Wilson + Ashley Font of Carlea J Photography / Location: Westcave Cellars Winery / Floral Design, Set Design + China and Chair Rentals: Petal Pushers / Table + Hutch: Antique, borrowed from Westcave Cellars Winery / Bridal Gown: Signature Bridal Salon / Tuxedo: Capra and Cavelli / Make-up: Adrienne Pitkin of Makeup by Adrienne / Hair: Drew Beech + Jordan Reusche of Doopla Salon / Jewelry: Custom Merrick Jewels / Wedding Cake + Desserts: Amazing Kakes / Models: Lauren Burns, David Kanne + Avery Lewis

This Austin wedding is the ultimate in autumnal affairs.  A rich, fun color palette of aqua and orange, gorgeously wild  floral arrangements by Last Petal and a ton of elegantly rustic details put together by Brock + Co. Events shows off Texas fall at its very best.  Every detail is perfectly planned and stunningly executed.  Plus with photos by Jennifer Lindberg Weddings there is no way you can go wrong. Click here to see it all!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Brock + Co. Events…When we first started designing Rachel + Dale’s Austin wedding weekend, they gave us two photos for inspiration, and the task of making it “shabby chic, but not Austin Hippie.” I think she may have said she liked orange. Other than that, they were a total open book — we love that! With her wedding day vision in mind, there was no better place for a Fall wedding than the gorgeous Laguna Gloria, overlooking Lake Austin. Beautiful trees, crisp Fall weather, lots of Austin history and to-die-for scenery welcomed wedding guests, who had traveled from Seattle, the East Coast and beyond. To celebrate Fall, we used a rich palette of persimmon, tangerine and chocolate. Natural woods, burlap and loads of textural flowers provided visual interest. And a fun pop of bright teal and hints of gold and copper created an unexpected twist to a traditional Fall color palette.

Rachel, her close friends and mom started their wedding day with lots of pampering at Austin’s chic Hotel St Cecelia. Rachel’s Enzoani gown was perfectly paired with Vera Wang pumps and a sparkly hair fascinator. Rachel’s Maid of Honor wore a teal silk dress, which allowed her vibrant orchid-filled bouquet to pop.

The couples ceremony was a blend of Jewish traditions, with one of Rachel’s chaplain colleagues performing their interfaith ceremony. Overlooking Lake Austin, and under a traditional chuppah, the two said “I do” with their closest friends and family in attendance. Their chuppah was constructed with natural curly willow and adorned with the hues of a sunset — orange mokara orchids, bittersweet and berries. A natural wood aisle runner graced the aisle.

Cocktail hour featured a Prosecco bar with blood orange, raspberry and peach purees, as well as delicious seasonal nibbles and steaming cups of butternut squash bisque. Guests enjoyed the sounds of a jazz trio and the beauty of the Austin as the sun set over Lake Austin.

Guests were then moved to the dinner tent, overlooking the historic Driscoll Villa, to enjoy “Comfort Chic” cuisine in true Texas style. Tables were adorned with boxes of rich florals, textural accents and named after all the locations that family had traveled to Austin from. Teal table runners, chocolate hemstitch napkins and gold rim chargers set the table in style. In a nod to the Groom’s Washington family and Brides’ Austin roots, a duo of apple and pecan mini pies were served for dessert. Topped with a scoop of Amy’s Mexican Vanilla Ice Cream, the non-traditional dessert was a huge hit. The father of the bride was surprised with his own wedding cake (he was shocked that the couple said “no cake”) during the champagne toast.

Guests danced the night away under floral chandeliers to the sounds of Austin’s popular Blind Date band. Mexican hot chocolate, pashmina blankets, a comfy lounge area and a French macaron sweets bar warmed up guests during the first cold spell of the year.

Wedding Photography: Jennifer Lindberg Weddings / Venue: AMOA Laguna Gloria / Event Planning + Design: Brock + Co. Events / Floral Design: Last Petal / Caterer: 2Dine4 / Officiant: Nancy McCranie / Lighting + AV: FILO / Linens, Tents + Rentals: Marquee Rents / Ceremony Music: Viva Trio / Band: Blind Date / Wedding Videography: Crescent Video / Cakes + Sweets Table: Stardust Pastry / Guest Buses + Getaway Car: Transportation Consultants / Hair+ Make-up: Rae Cosmetics / Stationery: Anibella Rachel

A Bride that dons a one shouldered ruffle dress on her wedding day is sure to be on my list of all time favorites. It takes confidence to rock that gorgeous frock and ROCK it she does. Plus, the details behind this Allan House wedding read like  a study in laid back perfection. Beautiful flowers by Verbena Floral Design? check. Loads of friends and family ready to celebrate your love and dance the night away? check. First kisses, first dances and all around fun moments as husband and wife all snapped by the fabulous Carlea J Photography? check, check and more checks. This is definitely an affair not to be missed. See it all here.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Carlea J Photography…Everything about Audrey and Nick’s wedding day was laid back and fun. I adored Audrey’s choice of gown- a one shoulder fitted top with a giant ruffled skirt, accessorized perfectly by her silver glitter heels. Audrey and Nick chose to do a first look which could not have gone more perfectly. It was super sweet seeing Nick’s face as he spun Audrey around to get a look at her.

The ceremony took place at Central Christian Church in Austin Texas, which has views of both the Texas state Capitol and The University of Texas tower, where Audrey and Nick recently graduated from. After the ceremony, guests walked across the street to The Allan House for an outdoor reception featuring delicious bites from Whole Foods and dancing (fist pumping) under the stars. The groom’s cake had the entire lyrics to “The Eyes of Texas” (The UT fight song) spelled out in icing encircling the cake. Guests were treated to a late night snack of passed chocolate chip cookies and milk on the dance floor. Audrey and Nick were showered with lavender seeds as they exited. Audrey hand made the “thank you” burlap bunting that the wedding party is holding in the group photos. Super cute!

Wedding Photography: Carlea J Photography / Flowers: Verbena Floral Design / Ceremony Location: Central Christian Church / Reception Location: Allan House / Wedding Dress: The Princess Bridal / Hair: Urban Betty Salon / Make-up: Faces By Lisa / Cake + Catering: Whole Foods

All it took was just one glance at this stunning Austin affair and I was head over heels.  Yes, absolutely and positively in.love.am.I.  And with fabulous stylings from the geniuses at Caplan Miller Events, beyond beautiful blooms by Petal Pushers and breathtaking images from SMS Photography, can you blame me?  There isn’t a moment in this garden party meets rustic chic soiree that doesn’t have me completely enchanted and, trust me, you’re about to see why.  Don’t miss a moment of lovely.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Caplan Miller Events… Megan and Jess chose the perfect venue for their perfect Texas ranch wedding on a perfect Saturday spring evening!  Megan wanted to be sure the wedding wasn’t too girlie for her cowboy husband and wanted everything to be authentically theirs.

Guests were greeted with lavender lemonade as they passed through the gates keeping the longhorn and cows at bay.  The bride walked beneath crystal chandeliers and she met her soon-to-husband in front of a gallery of candles.  After the ceremony, the guests flocked to the outdoor grill where chips, queso, and enchiladas were being served up at the grooms request!  The music turned festive when the fiddle began to play and the guests walked around to see all the beautiful and playful details of the property.

Vineyard tables with lace runners where set with the palest of pink and peach flowers along with succulents arranged in vintage medicine bottle and mason jars.  The guests dined on a menu of barbecue and Mexican bites that included bacon wrapped quail, wild mushroom empanadas, and BBQ brisket on potato rolls.  As night fell, Texas rock country signer Johnny Cooper took the stage and got everyone dancing to some old favorites, as well as his original hits. The bride and groom were sent away as the guests whirled and swirled their noise makers into the night!

Wedding Photography: SMS Photography / Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Event Design + Production: Caplan Miller Events / Wedding Ceremony + Reception Location: The Wild Onion Ranch

Right now, we are reveling in detail heaven courtesy of Beth at 36th Street Events and it comes complete with a layer of INSANE flowers by Verbena Floral Design. They’re big, fluffy and gorgeous – just how we like ’em. And you know it’s an amazing party when it  starts with a boatload of sparkling chalkboards and ends with Pomegranate Margaritas. Sarah Q Photography lent her eye for amazing picture capturing and you can catch it all right here in that lovely little pocket of goodness we call the gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride… From the start we knew we wanted a wedding that was intimate an unique, but still classic and comfortable that reflected us as a couple.  We wanted every part of the wedding and reception to feel personal.  We requested all of our guests arrive for celebratory cocktails prior to the ceremony to start the party.  It was important to us that the evening felt like a celebration of our love and marriage rather then walking through the steps of must-do traditions.

The University of Texas Golf Club was the perfect fit; it was laid back, but with a classic, warm southern feel. And their upscale comfort food and drinks, including our signature pomegranate margaritas were incredible! For colors, we ended up with creams, grey, and a peachy coral. Stephanie with Salt+Pepper Press did the most amazing job incorporating our personalities and colors when she created our letter pressed invitations, vintage postcard reply cards and all other paper details that made the wedding.  She took the time to understand what we were wanting and then created everything to match us.  Everything surpassed our expectations.

Blake and I found ourselves surrounded by an amazing support team in our families.  I had a long list of DIY projects and a very loving family to help.  My mother graciously made two hundred jars of pear jam and twenty throw pillows.  She smiled and nodded at all of my last minute add-on ideas, and I couldn’t love her more for going along with everything.  We had so many projects with our yard games, chalkboards, cigars, vintage handkerchiefs, and everything else, but when it all came together it was… just right.  And we had an incredible team of vendors who really brought it all together. From the beginning, our planner, Beth Walker, was more than amazing and made everything stress free.  She really took all of my ideas and homemade details and made it all fit together.  Beth along with LuAnn from Verbena Floral Design created the most beautiful décor on all of the tables and fireplace. It was cool enough that evening to have the fireplace and two fire pits with our ‘snug as a bug in a rug’ blankets and s’mores ready for roasting. I was thrilled to see the flowers the day-of the wedding. LuAnn and her team out did themselves.  I was obsessed with the centerpieces and bouquets.  Each bridesmaid bouquet was all white, but of a different flower fitting the girls’ personality.  And thanks to our incredible photographer, Sarah Q, we are lucky enough to have photos that feel exactly as genuinely, overwhelmingly happy as we did.

Flowers: Verbena Floral Design / Photography: Sarah Q Photography / Venue: University of Texas Golf Club / Event Planning: Beth at 36th Street Events / Invitations + Paper Design: Salt + Pepper Press / Music: Josh of Penguin Entertainment / Wedding Cake: Stardust Pastry / Wedding Dress: Enzoani from Blush Bridal Lounge / Bridesmaid Dresses: Alice + Olivia / Lighting: Ilios Lighting / Photo booth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co.

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I love the idea of old pieces, like antique furniture and decor, finding new life at a wedding which is, in itself, an ultimate celebration of new life and new beginnings.  This photo shoot by Christina Carroll Photography and the talented folks of Vintique Rentals perfectly illustrates how to make the timeless and classic look and feel new again.  Each piece is lovingly selected and styled to create an uber-romantic, Austin affair.  The florals by Visual Lyrics Floral Artistry, that incorporate local and seasonal blooms, are seriously works of art.  The result of this fantastic team collaboration is nothing less than spectacular and lovely.  See all the details in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL photo shoot!

From the photographer:

The “Past to Present Stylized Shoot” is a re-creation of a regal time where things long forgotten have been brought back as a new beginning. Vintique Rentals created timeless scenes with antique furniture, old clocks, whiskey jugs with prairie grasses, wrought iron candelabras, chandeliers, and stained glass. Many items in the Vintique Rentals collection have been pulled from barns and attics to find new life as vintage and antique props and scene setters. The historical western town of Star Hill Ranch created by Adam Whooley has a perfectly vintage ambiance. Visual Lyrics Floral Artistry added native grown cotton bloom wreaths, black rose succulents, and flowers in muted colors of antique mauve, mustard yellow and burgundy tones with a touch of champagne. The look and timeless feel was completed with hair, make up and vintage jewelry by April Skinner and Jordan Webb of Almost Impatient Productions, and the gown and belt by Blush Bridal Salon. Christina Carroll captured the ‘past to present’ vision fabulously.

Photographer: Christina Carroll Photography / Flowers: Visual Lyrics Floral Artistry / Scene Display: Vintique Rentals / Hair: April Skinner / Make up: Jordan Webb / Venue: Star Hill Ranch / Models: Jessica Johnson & Eric Buchanan / Dress: Martina Liana from Blush Bridal Lounge / Jewelry: Almost Impatient Productions

Oh Austin, Texas, home to the coolest of cool weddings, you never ever disappoint us here in SMP land and we just can’t seem to get enough of you and your fabulously chic weddings. Take this pretty, nature inspired wedding for example. We’re loving all the earth tone details from the pretty linen napkins topped with herbs to the gorgeous, swirly tablecloths to the simple and pared down aisle. Lucky for us Stacey E. Photography was there to capture all these pretty details designed and planned to perfection by BZ Events and the beyond gorgeous florals by Petal Pushers. Click here for even more!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the bride: Sharing our cool little pocket of Texas with friends and family was what we loved most about our wedding day. Our wedding day vision … Looking back, my favorite comment from guests who attended our wedding was that it wasn’t necessarily a “hill country” wedding, or a “rustic/vintage/modern/etc” wedding – but it was just a “Chris and Katherine” wedding — which is exactly what we were going for. We tried to add a personal touch to every single element. In terms of the overall design scheme , we knew the second we walked into Vista West Ranch that it was perfect for the  relaxed, rustic charm we were going for. Chris actually suggested our signature drink early in the planning process (Roseberry Fizz from Austin’s fun Highball bar) and it ended up being the inspiration for much of the wedding – our colors were mossy/herb greens, ivories, and touches of navy, with fresh herbs everywhere – on the tables, in the flowers, and a lavender toss to end the night!

Our vendor team rocked + without a doubt, Becky at BZ events steals the show – she was amazing every step of the way. She helped us design our big day + helped us put together a team of rock star Austin wedding vendors, including Primizie + Petal Pushers who were both incredible.

Our favorite details of the day — I was 100% happy and in love with every single detail. Fresh herb sprigs, topo chico glasses with candles, twinkling chandeliers hanging from the trees, the mason jars filled with flowers at the end of the ceremony aisles, wooden signs to direct the guests, agua fresca served in mason jars, striped straws, bunting hanging from the balcony, the handmade green desk that served as a welcome table, the Rifle Paper Co. recipe box as a guest book, programs hanging from the trees on clothesline, C+K mugs with herbs spilling out, canvas stamped bags with peanuts, edible ice cream sandwich wrappers, surprise cocktail napkins for Chris, a ceremony that made us laugh out loud multiple times, watching our friends and family enjoy the photo booth and mingle around an adorable ice cream truck, the sun setting as we said our vows, a constant hill country breeze, and everyone who’s important to us dancing the night away!

Photography: Stacey E. Photography / Event Planning + Design: BZ Events / Rentals: Marquee Event Group / Venue: Vista West Ranch / Caterer: Primizie Catering / Flowers: Petal Pushers / Lighting: FILO / Hair + Makeup: LucieMarie / DJ: Groove Labs / Ceremony Music: Hill Country Strings / Dessert: Cool Haus Ice Cream Truck / Invitations: 45 Wall Design / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Dress: Impression Bridal

I l.o.v.e a romantic rainy day wedding and this gorgeous Austin affair by Austin Imagery is no exception.  It’s all the romance that a drizzly day brings paired with an ultra-chic green, black and pink color scheme, beautiful florals by Bouquets of Austin, an uber-stunning Monique Lhuillier gown and some very fabulous hot pink heels.  36th Street Events planned each and every amazing moment and created a warm and glamorous affair with those unexpected overcast skies.  Trust me, you don’t want to miss a moment of pretty.  Join me in the gallery for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… We got married on at the beautiful Austin Museum of Art Laguna Gloria in Austin, Texas on what was supposed to be a warm and sunny day.  I am a reporter at a local news station and all week (actually all month) long I was nagging our meteorologists to find out the exact forecast for that day.  Sunny and temperatures in the 70’s.  That’s what they all said.  When I woke up on that morning and heard rain, my heart sank.  I quickly checked the forecast: rain and a high of 56 degrees.  I had planned a mostly outdoor wedding on a lawn that overlooks Lake Austin.  My husband and I spend a lot of time on the lake so we wanted to incorporate that into our wedding.  The Italian-style villa on the property was supposed to be the backdrop.  When we realized it would be raining, my amazing wedding planner, Bethany Childress from 36th Street Events, acted quickly and put our “Plan B” into action.  Tents were put up over the back patios where the ceremony and dancing would now take place; cocktails and dinner were moved inside the villa.

I have to say that all day long, the weather really put a damper on my mood.  I had spent nearly a year and a half planning a wedding that was now going to be very different.  But once I arrived at Laguna Gloria and was surrounded by my mom and bridesmaids, I knew that it was still going to be a great wedding.  The minute I saw Justin I started crying out of complete happiness and realized I was not going to let the weather ruin this day.  We saw each other and took our pictures before the ceremony which really helped cheer me up and put me at ease before everything got started.  I didn’t shed more than two tears the rest of the night and I don’t think the smile left my face.  It was a beautiful, fun, and a bit soggy wedding.

My photographers, Austin Imagery, did an amazing job of capturing the details. I would say our wedding was mostly sweet & charming, with a little DIY and budget friendly mixed in. Our colors were green, pink and white.  One of my favorite things that day were my shoes–hot pink!  The groomsmen all had great shoes too–black Converse Chuck Taylors.  These are the shoes Justin wears almost on a daily basis.  On my bouquet we had the florist tie in a handkerchief that belonged to my grandmother as my “something old.” I bought a bunch of little emerald-green bud vases of different sizes and designs on eBay for the cocktail tables.  My sister-in-law, who used to be a florist, filled them with different white blooms.  For my bridesmaids, I ordered earrings from Etsy in different shades of green.  Another one of my favorite things were the white and green round lanterns hanging from the tents (these were supposed to hang from the trees in the non-rain plan).  On our sign-in table, my mom got this giant birdcage for guests to put cards and small gifts in.  We used sign-in cards in a little wooden box that looked like a recipe box in lieu of a sign-in book.

During cocktail hour we served a signature drink: Sweet-o-Titos made with Sweet Leaf Tea and Titos Vodka, both made in Austin.  We served cupcakes from my favorite Austin bakery in three flavors: Key Lime, Guinness and Vanilla.

Wedding Photography: Austin Imagery / Wedding Venue: Austin Museum of Art Laguna Gloria / Wedding Planning: 36th Street Events / Caterer: Crave / Florist: Bouquets of Austin (Groom’s Sister) / Band: The Argyles / Cupcakes: Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop / Lighting: Ilios / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Guest Book Box: Cut the Cake Designs

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I think it’s safe to say that I am absolutely obsessed with the variety of weddings we see here on SMP Texas.  Traditional ballroom affairs, vintage soirees, garden parties…  You name it and it’s happening in Texas, complete with uber-chic style, amazing details and more than a few brides in cowboy boots.  And today there’s a glamorous lakeside fête to add to my ever-growing list of Lone Star State loves.  One filled to the brim with gorgeous blooms by Verbena Floral Design, a lovely blue, purple and pink color palette, an adorable bride and groom and an entire gallery of stunning images by She-n-He Photography and Design.  Oh, Texas.  I couldn’t love you more if I tried.  Join me in the gallery for all of the pretty!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… When Nick proposed, I was currently living in New York City, so I had less than a year to plan a large wedding in my home state of Texas.  New York is a beautiful place, so we decided to take our engagement pictures in Brooklyn, but I knew that if I was going to get married in Texas, I wanted to be outdoors to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Texas Hill country. I chose to have the ceremony at Vintage Villas – the altar overlooked Lake Travis as the sun began to set, and we said our vows below a large, vine-covered gazebo.

From the beginning, I knew that I wanted an abundance of fresh flowers at my wedding.  I worked at a plant nursery during college, so I already had a long list of specific varieties and colors that I wanted to use. Verbena Floral Design brought my ideas together and made arrangements that were more beautiful than I could have imagined! We used old cheese boxes and tree stumps to hold the centerpieces, and set a large tree stump below our wedding cake, designed by Hill Country Cakes. We didn’t just want the plain old white-on-white, so Hill Country Cakes prepared a lemon cake with raspberry filling and buttercream frosting…delicious AND beautiful.

Finally, everything that I treasured about my wedding was captured perfectly by She-N-He Photography.  “She” (Melanie Grizzel) was absolutely amazing, and my friends and family can’t stop talking about how fun she was at the wedding! Melanie traveled all the way to New York to take our engagements and had so many great ideas. The wedding, and my memories of it, wouldn’t have been the same without her!

Floral Design: Verbena Floral Design / Wedding Photography: She-n-He Photography and Design / Wedding Venue: Vintage Villas / Wedding Cake: Hill Country Cakes / Wedding Dress: Michelle Bridal in Brooklyn, NY

Personality, color and tons of pizazz make this show-stopper Austin wedding by Katherine O’Brien Photography a true one-of-a-kind beauty.  Succulents and wildflowers bring an organically modern vibe to the scene while colors galore, mismatched bridesmaids dresses and personal touches create a fresh, eclectic feel that sets this celebration apart from all the rest.  See all the fun, vibrant details in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Katherine O’Brien Photography…This fun & colorful wedding was all about Austin! Their tables were labeled with their favorite Austin locations like Mount Bonnell, the Greenbelt, the Broken Spoke and Deep Eddy and the place cards were simple, colorful hand written names with small pebbles to hold them in place.

Verbena Floral Design worked in succulents and nettles into the floral arrangements. The groom and groomsmen all had colorful bow ties and matched the bridesmaid’s colored dresses.

Melissa & Joe met in the Peace Corp in Panama so one of their unique gifts was a set of his & hers machetes! The gift to their guests – donations in their honor to the Peace Corps Partnership fund for helping underprivileged communities with access to clean water and sanitation! They exited to color streamers and a classic Texas Limo with Longhorns!

Wedding Photography: Katherine O’Brien Photography / Venue: Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center / Wedding Coordinator: Rosa Gibson of Austin Wedding Planners by Rosa / Florist: Verbena Floral Design / Caterer: Austin Catering / Officiant: Bill Frisbie / Band: Original Recipe Band / Wedding Dress: Amy Kuschel from Unbridaled / Suit: J.Crew / Rings: Dean Frederick / Cupcakes + Wedding Cake: Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop / Hair: Avant Salon / Make-up: Donna Bruns from Saks Fifth Avenue

Every wedding dress has its story. Hearing how that oh so important gown was chosen always has my full attention, and this lovely gown has a darling story indeed. Custom made and inspired by the bride’s grandmother’s dress, it just proves that timeless elegance is just that – timeless. Not to mention that bow just tied itself around my dress-loving heart! Swoon! The entire affair is just as perfect and captured in a way that only The Nichols can. I am in love, and I am pretty sure you will be too after spending some time in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Chad and I are both proud TCU Horned Frogs and met in Fort Worth. We love all things Texas, and decided we wanted to get married in the heart of the Lone Star State, Austin. When we first saw Laguna Gloria, we knew right then it was the place. We loved the history of Laguna and its past owners, and the Italianate house on the ground reminded me of my time studying abroad in Florence.

After a long day of wedding dress shopping with my mom and grandmother, we had still not found “the one,” and we started discussing my grandmother’s dress. My late great-grandmother, Dan Mommie, made the dress in 1948. They bought the French cotton eyelet-type fabric, and created the dress from a Vogue pattern. The dress had not been out of its box in decades and, much to our excitement, it was in fabulous condition. I contacted Patti Flowers Design Studio, and after almost a year of work, she was able to create exactly what I had envisioned in my head. My Aunt Lu gave me a diamond necklace she had made for me from my late paternal grandmother’s wedding ring. She also gave me a handkerchief to wear pinned inside my dress that belonged to my paternal great-grandmother (dad’s mom’s side) that has her monogram in navy blue–my something blue. My paternal great-grandmother’s cameo (dad’s dad’s side) was given to me weeks before the wedding and worn around the stem of my bouquet for the ceremony.

We incorporated a lot of DIY projects and were all about using vintage and recycled finds. All of the milk glass used on the tables was collected by family members over the last year at flea markets and antique shops all over Texas (and some from Virginia). The milk glass cake plate that was used as the centerpiece of our table belonged to my maternal great-grandmother. I have many fond memories of her coconut cake resting on it. We found antique glass dishes with a gold “P” on them that held the gold leaf- and chocolate-covered almonds that were on each table, along with various other sweet treats for our guests to enjoy during the evening. My uncle and I spent countless hours making the garland for all of the handrails. We used rope and twine, and created flower cutouts from antique Collier Dictionary pages (Collier also being my middle name, my mother’s maiden name) and recycled paper. My Uncle Greg used many yards of DanMommie’s hemming tape to wrap the stems of all the bouquets and boutonnieres.We used crepe myrtle branches collected from all over our neighborhood to make the altar. My mom and I spent late nights stenciling and, along with the help of my Aunt Susu, made the linen runners for all of the concrete benches. The large antique iron chandelier above our table belongs to family, and we stenciled the “P” on the sides for a personal touch. Chad and I made our programs from recycled paper and printed them at home. I hand painted the menu on a large canvas, and although it wasn’t very easy to read.

Chad and I did a “first look,” and loved having a private moment together before the ceremony. The ceremony was conducted by the Rev. Nancy McCranie, who was fabulous. One of our favorite moments was exchanging our vows that we wrote together. Our first dance was the Wilson Pickett’s “Something You Got,” and started the reception off with a bang. We ended the reception with a sparkler send off surrounded by our close friends and family. Despite the record-setting Texas heat, we had a breezy getaway ride in a ’61 Buick Electra while being serenaded by the Swingers soundtrack, and headed for the Driskill Hotel Bar for our after party. On the drive away we had a great view of downtown Austin and the Texas Capitol. The stars at night truly are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas.

Wedding Photography: The Nichols / Venue: Laguna Gloria / Catering + Wedding Cake: Word of Mouth Catering / Floral + Event Design: Greg O’Neil / DJ: Byrne Rock / Hair + Make-Up: Laura Wyrtzen / Exit Car: Frank Frericks / Wedding Dress: Bride’s Grandmother’s redesigned by Patti Flowers Design Studio / Wedding Videography: SilverTree Austin / Minister: Nancy McCranie / Water Bottle Labels: Oh Louise! / String Quartet: Quartetto Lirico, String Quartet / Calligraphy: Laura Hooper Calligraphy / Letterpress Invitations: William Arthur

Another wonderful week of inspiration is just beginning here on Style Me Pretty Texas and we are kicking it all off with this jaw-droppingly gorgeous traditional Austin affair captured by Brett Buchanan Photography.  And, believe you me, we couldn’t have started on a better note.  From those gorgeous hydrangeas-filled bouquets by Stems Floral to an amazing Oscar de la Renta gown (I am in love) to the oh-so-adorable cookie tribute to New York AND Texas, I am completely smitten with every fabulous detail.  All coordinated to perfection by Your Very Own Fairy Godmother, there is an entire gallery full of gorgeous to keep us occupied this lovely Monday morning.  Join me there for even more!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride… Sean is from Seattle, I am from Houston, we live in New York City, and got married in Austin. When we first got engaged we knew that no matter where we got married all of our family would have to travel, so we decided to have it in one of our favorite cities, Austin. We chose the Four Seasons Austin immediately because of it’s location in downtown Austin with it’s feeling of a country lake property.  We wanted our wedding to be casually elegant, like we were having all of our friends and family for a big dinner party. We wanted to bring the bright Texas stars from the terrace inside with lots of candles filling the room with twinkle. The room full of hydrangeas were chosen to imitate the textured feeling of my Oscar de la Renta gown. Sean’s cuff links were made from 19th century ten-dollar gold pieces given to his grandfather by his great-grandfather. I wore my grandmother’s crystal earrings pinned in mu hair beneath my veil.

Wedding Photography: Brett Buchanan Photography / Wedding Ceremony Location: Saint Mary Cathedral / Wedding Reception Location: Four Seasons Hotel Austin / Wedding Coordination: Your Very Own Fairy Godmother / Floral Design: Stems Floral / Cakes + Cookie Favors: Stardust Pastry / Wedding Dress: Oscar de la Renta / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Groom’s Tux: Hugo Boss / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Hair: Jen Hoover / Make-up: Nisa Nicole

Oh my goodness, I am LOVING these fabulous Austin nuptials by Forever Photography Studio.  And in case you couldn’t tell from the all caps LOVING, I’ll just come right out and say it… I am obsessed.  Yes, from the moment I laid my eyes on the very first photo, I have been completely enamored with every. single. detail of this elegant affair.  And with a vibrant pink and orange color palette, an elegant gown, breathtaking florals by Cherry Lane Floral and a stunning location, can you blame me?  Not to mention those fabulous pink heels, which I am certain I need in my closet ASAP.  Seriously awesome.  Yes, there’s a lot to adore in this amazing soiree, so join me in the gallery for all of the pretty and then stay tuned for even more gorgeous with a video by Hardeman Films!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

As promised, we’re sending you into the weekend with this amazing (and tear-inducing) film by Hardeman Films!  Enjoy!

From Forever Photography Studio… These two are so much fun to be around!! I knew from the instant I met them, that their wedding was going to be over the top and full of fun! Julie had the best smile, she is always laughing and we love that. We worked with so many awesome vendors at this wedding. The amazing and fabulous Aimee Villa from Lizzie Bell Events, put together and coordinated the whole event, and did an amazing job I might add! Julie and Loy, we are so glad we got to be a part of something so special, we wish you both the very best and cannot wait to see you soon for another session!

Wedding Photography: Forever Photography Studio / Day of Coordination: Aimee of Lizze Belle Event Management / Ceremony + Reception: The Driskill Hotel / Groom’s Attire: Michael Andrews Bespoke + Le Noeud Papillon (Bow Tie) / Wedding Gown: Mikaella / Make-up: Maris Malone Calderon / Entertainment: Texas Pro DJ, Miles / Flowers: Cherry Lane Floral, Jean Gabbay / Table Numbers + Escort Cards (Retired New York Yankees Uniform Numbers): Brightly Designed, Courtney Scowby / Lighting: D & H Stage Lighting / Strings: Ayren Huslig / Wedding Film: Hardeman Films / Custom Bobbleheads: Whoopass Enterprises / Hand-Rolled Cigar Service: Bobalu Cigar Company / Photo Booth: Magnolia Photo Booth Company / Getaway Car: Antique Limousines of Austin

Garden.party.glam. Seriously, this wedding by Studio 563 does elegant alfresco so incredibly well. Backyard casual feel meets elegant ballroom – and wowza, it produces quite the pretty party! I suppose that is what happens when the bride is an interior designer, and knows what makes her heart flutter. The entire blush-filled affair will make your heart flutter too, and you can see it all in the full gallery of images!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Reid and I were introduced by my cousin who also happened to work with Reid. Within a week of meeting we had our first date and first kiss. Needless to say, it didn’t take long before I knew he was the one. After a year and a half of dating we bought a house, moved in together and got engaged. I was never one of those girls who had been planning their wedding since they were young. I was starting from square one and had to figure out a direction, quickly. I knew my dress and the venue would be two major pieces of the puzzle in defining the feel of our wedding. It was only after I found “the” dress, a strapless embroidered lace gown, and “the” place, a historic home-built in the 1800’s, that I was able to move forward in planning the elegant garden-like atmosphere I began to envision.

Since I am an interior designer I was excited to get creative and plan every detail of our wedding! With a name like Mansion at Judges’ Hill the venue could easily conjure up thoughts of stuffy formality but once I stepped on the grounds I knew it was the place for us. The cobblestone courtyard was small and intimate, shaded by blooming crepe myrtles. The reception ballroom had high ceilings and crystal chandeliers so it was important for me to balance that sophistication by adding homemade touches and casual details. We are not over the top, fancy people and I wanted our wedding to reflect that without becoming too casual.

The color palette was subtle with soft coral and ivory and small pops of deeper pinks.  I wanted our wedding to have an elegant romantic feel, from the design of the invitation to the bridesmaid’s dresses. I used vintage glass cakes stands and my grandmother’s glass candy dish for the cake and petite fours. The Eiffel Tower decorative picks were a nod to my husband’s time spent in France.  The favors were organic chocolate truffles boxed and tied with a hand-dyed silk ribbon and tea stained tag that I stamped with “Merci”. The place cards were brown kraft bags I cut at the top with scalloped scissors, stamped and glittered with each guest’s name. The ivory card inside hid the table number and was also tied with the silk ribbon. I requested the flowers be freeform with lots of movement, a mixture of garden roses, peonies and greenery.  At the end of the day I wanted our wedding to be a beautiful relaxing party for everybody and I was proud to have achieved just that.  Not to mention I got to marry the love of my life!

Ceremony + Reception Location: Mansion at Judges’ Hill / Wedding Photography: Studio 563 / Wedding Dress: Mori Lee / Bridesmaid Dresses: Ann Taylor / Cake + Petit Fours: Michelle’s Patisserie / Florist: Westbank Flower Market / Bracelet: Etsy / Hair + Make-up: Sheila Staehley at Aura Veni Salon / Invitations: Sloane Ware / String Quartet: Allandale String Quartet

When this couple’s favorite wedding venue was struck by lightning, and burnt down, they were nervous. But the brave couple continued planning this absolute dream of a wedding throughout the rebuild of the Barr Mansion, and I am SO happy they decided to hold out for their perfect venue. Captured by Kelly Hornberger Photography, the whole wedding – from the sweet color palette, to the amazing flowers from Verbena Floral Design, to the gorgeous venue – is so sweetly romantic, I just can’t get enough. And when you just can’t get enough, click here for the rest of this beautiful fête in the gallery!

The main inspiration of our wedding was the city of Austin as well as the Barr Mansion itself. We wanted it to have that unique, quirky Austin feel we both love but also be very personal to Derek & I. Our signature cocktail was sweet tea-flavored vodka and lemonade, served in mason jars. Our colors were bright pink & apple green.

We looked at about ten different venues in Austin, Texas, but fell in love with the charm of Barr Mansion. It was by far the most unique place we visited and we knew right away it was the place for us. We booked it in late March 2010 and in June, the ballroom of the facility was struck by lightning and burned down. It was crazy news and definitely not what you want to hear about your wedding venue but we remained in good spirits and kept going as planned… monitoring the rebuild along the way of course. It was a much longer process than everyone originally projected, but we held out hope that it would be completed prior to our wedding in April 2011. Sure enough, Barr Mansion hosted their first wedding in the new ballroom about 2 months before our wedding. To say we were relieved would be an understatement!

Derek’s uncle is a Pastor and married Derek’s brother & his wife in May 2010. We were blessed enough to have him marry us as well and hope to maybe start a family tradition!

One of my most vivid memories from the day was waiting with my dad to walk down the aisle. I was incredibly nervous but so excited. The sun was about 45 minutes from setting and the lighting outside was absolutely gorgeous. We were hidden away behind the mansion itself and when we rounded the corner and I could suddenly see all of our guests, it took my breath away and I knew it was a moment I would never forget. As I got closer and could finally see Derek, tears filled my eyes, as I was finally about to marry my best friend.

Venue: Barr Mansion / Photographer: Kelly Hornberger Photography / Floral Designer: Verbena Floral Design / Event Planning & Design: Keegan ‘O Connell, with Barr Mansion / Invitation Designer: Maria Navarro / Cake: Barr Mansion / Wedding Gown: Marisa, Weddings By Debbie / Bridesmaid’s Dress: Watters / Jewelry: Nordstrom / Entertainment: Look No Further Entertainment / Hair: Black Orchid Salon / Make-up: Carl Crenshaw

I’m totally loving this rustic, vintage wedding with its pops of pinks and turquoise and cowboy boots a plenty. The details are beyond sweet and you can tell by looking at the gorgeous images from Sherry Hammonds Photography that nothing was overlooked and so much thought went into each and every element. The lace tablecloths and vintage keys totally set the stage for this rustic charmer held at Red Corral Ranch. See much, much more here in the full gallery.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…We wanted the feel of our wedding to definitely not be generic or stuffy and we wanted to incorporate both of our styles, so a rustic feel with vintage and romantic accents summed it up perfectly. Another thing that was important to both of us, was for the whole event to be as stress free and relaxing as possible. With 18 of Christian’s family members coming over from Germany, we thought the best way for it to stay “stress free” was to find a venue that could accommodate everyone for the whole weekend. After visiting lots of places in the hill country Red Corral Ranch seemed to have everything we wanted; housing for our wedding party and families, an indoor “chapel” site to have the ceremony and a Big Red barn for the party, they even had a few extra Texas perks to entertain the guests, like the hay ride and skeet shooting range.

Aqua is a staple color in my wardrobe and life, so it was only natural for it to be the main color in our wedding, and the black-tied attire fit perfectly to make everyone look so classy. Almost all of the pieces we used for decoration were  from family and  some pieces were many generations old and passed down. This aspect was something I really wanted to incorporate, I love the thought and feeling of all of that LOVE and history at our wedding.

From Sherry Hammonds Photography…Being a shooter in TX I have certainly seen grooms in cowboy hats but these guys were different.  The hats, the boots, the jackets and those black jeans made for a style I have seldom seen and I hope I get to see more of!  I mean these guys had style! And since they wore what they were comfortable in, they had a great time on and off the dance floor. Kelsey is one of the happiest brides I have had the pleasure to work with.  She made my job easy by being herself, having fun and making Christian feel comfortable when they were posing for their photos.  I loved working with these two.

Wedding Photography: Sherry Hammonds Photography / Ceremony + Reception Location: Red Corral Ranch / Catering: Pascal’s Catering Company / Floral Design: WOW Factor Floral Design / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero / Bridesmaid Dresses: Mori Lee

A garden party in Austin is maybe the prettiest combo on the planet. Who doesn’t go gaga for a romantic outdoor setting riddled with peonies and other yummy florals by Stems Floral Design and the sweetest lineup of cakes by CoCo Paloma Desserts? And that is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to this pretty party captured so perfectly by Jessica Monnich Photography. Believe us, you’ll want to head over to the gallery for more from this sweet Southern wedding. It is a total knockout from beginning to end.

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Andrew and I really wanted two things going into our wedding. 1. for it to reflect our personality and 2. for it to be a glorified party, not just a wedding. We chose the French Legation as our wedding and reception site because it was a beautiful venue that also allowed us to really transform the place into exactly what we wanted, a Southern Garden Party. Throughout the wedding we wanted to create the feel of a casual elegance. We chose eclectic centerpieces that didn’t quite match, yet just “went together” and the same rule applied to the dessert table, which was made up of mini cakes and personalized pies.We put emphasis on having our flowers look “hand-picked” and our florist (Abbey from Stems Floral Design) accomplished the look perfectly.

I wanted my bridesmaids to really love their dresses so I let them choose whatever they wanted within a vintage pastel color range. The colors of their dresses ended up complimenting the reception decor perfectly. We also wanted to incorporate French themes into the wedding since our venue was Texas’ original French Embassy, and because Andrew and I had spent quite a bit of time in Paris together. To do this we used vintage French postcards as our sign in book, and danced to “La Vie En Rose” as our first dance song. Looking back, the wedding was everything we wanted it to be. Old world Paris met a Southern estate and both seemed to compliment the backdrop of a Texas sunset. It was so special for us to have everyone we loved in one place during such a magical night.

Catering: Portabla / Wedding Cake: CoCo Paloma Desserts / Pies: Cutie Pie / Venue: French Legation Museum / Wedding Photography: Jessica Monnich Photography / Floral Design: Stems Floral Design / Wedding Planner: Events by Emily / Band: Minstral Band