Be still my heart. I love this next wedding so much I could marry it. It is the PERFECT example of an insanely stylish couple mixed with casual elegance and the most perfect rustic detailing. Throw in fabulous photography from our favey faves, The Nichols, and I think we might have a home run here. Scratch that, we most definitely have a home run. And that rose colored dress? Don’t even get me started.
{Be sure to check out the gallery for more loveliness from this happy, happy day}
We wanted to create an atmosphere that highlights what is rustic and natural about the ranch and its hill country surroundings without having it look produced. No glitz – just the nostalgic, old school country thing like a saloon or if Waylon Jennings and Woody Allen traded stories on Frida Kahlo’s back porch. Our officiant (an artist cousin from New York) summed up our vision in the ceremony when he said: The two great strands and strains for Americans are always rugged individuals and community spirit. How fitting that Amanda and Jamie chose Texas for their wedding, living as they do in New York – the beating heart of all things communitarian – and returning to the Lone Star State – the fierce core of rugged individualism. We did not want a DJ or a “wedding band.” We wanted the real thing. Austin country greaser Jesse Dayton and his band played their own gems, as well as The Cars (our first dance), The Pogues (our second dance), and a downright twangy rendition of Hava Nagila.
And here are some other details:
Attire-wise, Amanda was against wearing white or ivory from the beginning. She had a dress custom made in a dusty rose stretch satin georgette. And how about that hair?! When in doubt, go pompadour.
Jamie looked devilishly handsome in a dark blue suit by Paul Smith (and matching bow tie for that dapper, old-tyme charm).
For the ceremony music, Jamie’s father bagpiped us in and out.
Our two specialty drinks were Prickly Pear Margaritas (Amanda) & Manhattans (Jamie), and In lieu of a champagne toast, we opted for the Tequila shot.
The centerpieces were a mish-mash of apothecary bottles, old jars, and tin cans – reflecting our love for oddities and found objects.
The dinner was colorful Mexican fare served family-style by Royal Fig.
No traditional cake. For dessert we had a late night ice cream and cupcake bar, with Jamie’s favorite Breyer’s Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream (served out of the carton) and Amanda’s choice of mini cupcakes from Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop in Austin.
The typeface of the escort cards was reminiscent of an old telegram. They were hung on a clothesline. Instead of “table numbers” we had “table people,” utilizing iconic images of people that inspire the two of us. From Steve McQueen and J.D. Salinger to Edith Head and Pele.
The full list of table people: Waylon Jennings, J.D. Salinger, Edith Head, Pele, Thelonious Monk, Modigliani, Mark Twain, Hemingway, Mark Messier, Thurman Munson, Willie Nelson, John Cleese, Woody Allen, Frida Kahlo, Joe Strummer, Steve McQueen, Jon McEnroe, Woody Guthrie.
Photography: The Nichols / Venue: Vista West Ranch / Coordinator: Lizze Belle Event Management / Catering: Royal Fig / Florals: Petal Pushers / Cupcakes: Sugar Mama Bakeshop / Makeup: Mandy Morrison / Band: Jesse Dayton