Texas Weddings

’Tis the season to cozy up to the one you love and create what we like to call a sweet little “#SMPMistletoeMoments.” There’s just something about the holidays that makes you want to fall in love all over again and relish in the precious moments that the season seems to bring about…and over at my blog Livvyland, I couldn’t help but want to take part in sharing some of those special moments, too!

Truth be told, when I thought about snapping a bunch of pictures under mistletoe, my heart jumped for joy. Clearly, I go mush for all things romantic and cheesy (honestly, I live for this stuff…give me a Matthew McConaughey rom-com any day!). However, my fiancé Blake was not as easy to convince! But after a few minutes of wooing him with, “oh darling, you get to KISS me…repeatedly!” (and yes, you should most definitely use that line, too), let’s just say it didn’t take long before he was on board – ha! He’s a major sport for bearing with me as I dive deeper into the blogosphere as it is, let alone agree to being photographed while smooching under mistletoe!

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How to create the perfect “kissing under the mistletoe” photo in 5 easy steps

ONE | Get your man or gal on board – I’ll admit, my sentiment above is actually quite convincing

TWO | Pick a pretty setting or backdrop

THREE | Scoop up mistletoe (real or faux)

FOUR | Grab a photographer

FIVE | Most importantly, get excited to kiss someone you completely adore and have fun with it!
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Blake and I asked our good friend and amazing professional photographer, Kayla Snell, to snap our mistletoe moments. It was nice to get all sappy around someone we knew because it made for a more comfortable experience. It also doesn’t hurt that half the time you’re staring into your best friends eyes for lengthy moments at a time…which immediately causes your heart to melt and makes you feel like it’s just you and him in the room (hey, speaking from experience over here!).

We chose to snap our pictures at Villa Del Lago, a stunning wedding venue that overlooks beautiful Lake Travis in Austin (which is actually where we’ll be saying “I do” in September!). From the gorgeous trees, to the jaw dropping lakefront view and an incredible home on the property (that doorframe?! SO pretty!), it was the perfect place to spotlight this romantic holiday ritual.

As for the mistletoe, I ventured to Michaels and DIY’d by cutting the faux mistletoe plant down and piecing a few branches together with twine and topped it off with a pretty red bow. I’m quite pleased with how it turned out!

 

Alright gals and guys, that’s a wrap! If you’re looking to create your own mistletoe moment, my biggest piece of advice is to have a blast with it! After all, how often do you get to capture that treasured moment when you look longingly into your darlings eyes and plant a big ‘ol kiss on him or her? Soak in the holiday cheer and don’t forget, as Sinatra said, “It’s that time of year when the world falls in love…”
…And cue Frank Sinatra, “Oh by gosh by golly, it’s time for mistletoe and holly…and folks stealin’ a kiss or two as they whisper Merry Christmas to you…”

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Follow Olivia’s Journey:

Meet the Bride | Bridesmaids’ Gifts

Photography: Kayla Snell | Venue: Villa Del Lago

If you’re planning on doing bridal portraits with your photographer, this set, freshly added to THE VAULT by Mint Photography might be all the coaxing you need. Sweeping veil? Check. Dreamy burgundy bouquet? Check. Fabulous heels? Check. These captures are dreamy to say the least and you can find even more here.

From Mint Photography…Emily’s bridals – what can we say. She’s one of the most gorgeous girls we’ve ever seen and between her stunning looks, amazing personality, the prettiest venue as a backdrop, and a beautiful fall colored bouquet…her bridal session was a slice of heaven!

Photography: Mint Photography | Floral Design: Wild Bunches Floral | Hair + Makeup: Makeup By Sommer | Location: Commodore Perry Estate

Olivia here from LivvyLand, and of the many special moments leading up to a wedding is the anticipated gesture of asking loved ones to be a part of your bridal party. This is an opportunity where you can express your appreciation – and do so in a way that represents your personality. As for me? I’m a major coffee fanatic and wanted to incorporate my love for caffeine into a gift set!

Years back, I received the perfect card from a friend that said, “Coffee with friends is just a long way to say “therapy”, and this absolutely rings true in my life! While yes, coffee itself is delicious and most definitely gives me wings to conquer the day, it’s really the part about being with friends or family and the conversations that come with “meeting for coffee” that I enjoy most of all. So, for all you java lovers out there, here’s my bridesmaid gift idea for coffee enthusiasts!

After perusing all things bridesmaid related on Pinterest for months, I finally came across the customizable “Will you be my bridesmaid?” mugs by April Heather Art and knew this would be the perfect way to ask my bridal party! Heather, the artist and shop owner, is just as fabulous as her incredible online store, so it was a seamless process in selecting the appropriate hair colors to match myself, my bridesmaids, maid of honor and bridesman. She also custom made the “Will you be my bridesman?” mug for this gift set – so now it’s officially on the site and you can ask your GBF (gay best friend) or man-friend in the cutest way, too! I love that these mugs not only feature gorgeous fashion illustrations, but also ask each person by name to be a part of the big day – it’s those little details that make these mugs so exceptional!

I started following For Such A Time Designs by Aly Nickerson on Instagram and instantly fell in love with her hand stamped spoons and gravitated towards her spirit and personality in each photo she posts. This gal is so creative, genuine and sweet, not to mention her spoons and flatware are to die for, especially when paired with the custom mugs. Aly also included hand stamped bags for each person in my bridal party – I am in love the added personal touch that they bring to the gift set!

After I had the spoon and mug duo idea in my head, I reached out to my friend and talented calligrapher, Allison Hembd of Exquisite Squid to create the lovely handwritten “I Love You a Latte” cards. How cute are these?! That adorable saying on pretty, pastel pink cardstock really topped off the gift set! Allison also makes custom calligraphy invitations and really anything wedding related when it comes to paper goods, so I was particularly excited to work with her again. As for the mini coffee bags, given that I’m in Austin, Texas, I knew I had to include some sort of “Texas” flavored coffee. I scooped up the little bags at World Market, they have such a great coffee selection!

My goal was to make each person in my bridal party feel extra special and loved with a gift that’s representative of me and often my time spent with each of them. And hey, an extra supply of coffee is always a good idea, right? Now it’s time to pass these pretties out and clink our coffee mugs in celebration!

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Follow Olivia’s Journey:

Meet the Bride

Photography: A Dandy Pear | Calligraphy: Exquisite Squid | Venue: At Home | Blogger Bride: Olivia Watson | Coffee Mugs: April Heather Art | Stamped Spoons: For Such A Time Designs

With each season, my eye is usually drawn to a new most-loved hue. Red typically doesn’t fall in that category for me, but this year, it’s captivating my wedding-loving ways like never before. So when I spot soirees like this one from Mint Photography that layer in just the right touch, in just the right shades (hello, beautiful burgundy!), I want to drink it up more and more. See the rest of this day in THE VAULT.

From Mint Photography… Karlye and Steven mixed a beautiful traditional church ceremony with a sunny outdoor reception set for their guests under string lights. The tables were set with vibrant fall colored blooms and we LOVE the area Karlye and Steven chose to place their head table with elegant draping. It was a sweet and easy going day accented with beautiful sunlight and a serene backdrop.

Photography: Mint Photography | Videographer: Moonlit Weddings | Coordination: Pink Parasol Designs And Coordinating | Floral Design: The Flower Girl - Kari Shelton | Cake: Sweet Treets Bakery | Ceremony: St Catherine Of Sienna | Ceremony Venue: Ranch Austin | Bridesmaid Dresses: Kennedy Blue | Catering: Freedman's BBQ | Catering: The Peached Tortilla | Hair And Makeup: Pure Glam Beauty | Hair And Makeup: Jennifer Vara | Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | DJ: 1st Class Entertainment | Bridal Boutique: Blush Bridal Lounge | Film Scans: Richard Photo Lab | Guys Suits: J Ferrar | Rentals: Bee Lavish Vintage Rentals | Rentals: Whim Hospitality

Curating the pretty for you is a job we’re honored to do on a daily basis, especially when it involves sweet little fur babies like this one. This entire day from Feather & Twine is loaded with sweetness, from the jewel-toned hues to the blended rustic elegance. Before you dive into this gem of a gallery freshly added to THE VAULT, make sure to read the Bride’s real planning tips below!

From The Bride…Our favorite moment was our “first look” before the ceremony. The whole day was very emotional and fast paced, it was nice to have a private moment before the ceremony and reception to reflect and enjoy a moment alone. We loved our first dance. We planned on practicing the dance in advance so we would be comfortable dancing. However, we didn’t get the time to properly practice. So, after the ceremony and right before making our entrance into the reception, we took a moment to practice the two-step. Though our first dance was clumsy, we laughed the whole time and loved the moment when Michael spun me around at our favorite part of our wedding song. One other moment that Michael and I both loved was having our dog Luna in the wedding party. It was nice to have a bit of home with us during the wedding. She helped calm us down and made the guest laugh as she was walked down the aisle by my two year old nephew.

When planning the wedding, we tried to involve as many local vendors as possible. We loved that Barr Mansion is USDA certified and plan their menus by the season and harvest produce from the venue’s grounds. We used local artist from our home town to design and create the wedding invitations. We wanted the floral accents to reflect the organic and local vibe, as well. Stems ATX was able to incorporate fresh kale, grapes and lavender into the center pieces. I really loved the fun and quirky accents. The runner for the main table was hand died a really pretty lavender color, that worked well with the deep jewel tone centerpieces.

1. Start booking as many things in advance as possible. It’s amazing how quickly venues and vendors book up. Not only do you have more options, it’s less stressful as you get closer to the wedding date.

2. Have an alternate plan for inclement weather. Our wedding was initially planned to be outside under a beautiful pecan tree on the Barr Mansion grounds, but the day of the wedding we had really severe weather. Luckily, the Barr Mansion has a cover pavilion.

3. Have a wedding coordinator the day of the wedding. Shannon with Barr Mansion was amazing. The whole wedding was timed perfectly. She helped route the guests from ceremony to reception and had appetizers and drink service waiting. She made sure that Michael and I were always satisfied.

4. Since our venue was located 15 minutes from downtown Austin in a rural area, I was nervous guest would get lost on the way to the venue. We booked a 30 person bus to shuttle guests to and from the wedding. I think it put guests at ease that they didn’t have to drive and could enjoy more cocktails.

Photography: Ruét Photo | Floral Design: Stems Floral Design + Event Styling | Wedding Dress: Stardust Celebrations | Invitations: Triple Threat Press And Anna Tovar | Bride's Shoes: BHLDN | Hair And Makeup: Ron King Salon | Venue: Barr Mansion | Bridal Boutique: Stardust Celebrations | Bride's Hairpiece: Twigs & Honey | Catering & Cake: Barr Mansion

Sometimes you just need a little something bold and colorful to brighten your day, and this lush little posy from Austin-based Verbena Floral Design is just the thing! Filled with seasonal florals in the richest pink and burgundy hues, designed by the lovely LuAnn Dickson, we got the scoop on this beauty below, and there’s even more pretty from the Modern Austin Garden Party Wedding right here in The Vault!

Modern Austin Garden Party Wedding

• 3 Stems David Austin “Kate” Garden Roses
• 3 Stems Burgundy Peonies
• 6 Stems Ivory Vendela Roses
• 3 Stems Hot Pink Freesia
• 2 Stems Hot Pink Ranunculus
• 2 Stems Light Pink Ranunculus
• 2 Stems Burgundy Ranunculus
• 2 Stems Ivory Majolica Spray Roses
• 3 Stems Hot Pink Boronia Heather
• 2 Stems Burgundy Astrantia
• 3 Stems Jasmine Vine Foliage
• 2 Stems Olive Branch Foliage
• 3 Stems Variegated Bush Ivy

From LuAnn…. Lindley, the bride, and I spoke long distance about her wedding concept overall. She had a very clear vision incorporating black and white striped linens, gold metallic accents, and colorful florals. Traditional with a modern edge was the vibe she wanted to express that day. The garden setting was an essential feature for us to accentuate. We wanted her bridal bouquet to have a structured style with a garden feel.

It needed texture and depth with a compact shape overall. It was also a priority to utilize seasonal flowers in the color palette we set out for the day. Lindley shared several inspiration photos with me before we spoke on the phone. We landed on two bouquet images that we took elements from, along with some seasonal florals we had discussed, to create her custom bouquet. A few months before the wedding, Lindley and Joseph flew down to Austin from their home in the northeast to finalize their wedding details. We reviewed the inspiration photos and discussed the details, adding gold ribbons as the finishing touch on her lovely bouquet. 

I love creating custom floral designs for my brides. It’s important for me to bring out the personality of each of my bridal clients. I want the bridal bouquet and all of the wedding designs to tell the couple’s story. It’s a skill I’ve worked on for a long time. I try my best to listen to the bride as she tells me her likes and dislikes, to hear the little highs and lows when she describes a certain style she saw somewhere or tells me her favorite flower. The inspiration photos she shares with me also help guide me to narrow in on those elements she is drawn to for her wedding flowers. I take all of those elements and do my best to extract the ideal combination of colors and seasonal varieties to bring out her personal style in flowers. The flowers should always compliment the bride and each bride deserves something unique and her all own.

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MORE BOUQUET BREAKDOWNS HERE!

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Floral Design: LuAnn Dickson of Verbena Floral Design | Photography: Jen Dillender

When we heard Olivia of Livvyland was rocking some sparkly, left handed bling, we promptly began jumping for joy. Because when the sweetest lil’ lady says “Yes” it means we get to welcome her to the Blogger Bride tribe. She’ll be sharing her fashionable journey down the aisle with us, starting with her lakeside e-sesh. Dive right in to The Vault for more, and be sure to follow along every step of the way!

From Oliva of Livvyland… Hello Brides-to-be, my name is Olivia and I run a fun little fashion and lifestyle blog based in Austin, Texas called Livvyland, and also work for a tech company full-time. I’d like to think of my style as approachable, casual and a little boho here and there – much like the city I live in. Let’s just say when SMP asked me to be their latest Blogger Bride, I quickly stepped outside the office (okay, so I may have sprinted…) to call my fiancé and geek out about the news. Given that Blake is not a social media lover like myself (opposites attract, right?) nor has he been ogling all things wedding related since, well…ever, I’d give him a 10 out of 10 in his acting abilities to share my level of excitement. He’s a keeper!

Blake and I met back in high school when we were teenagers. Funny enough, our young love began on a class field trip when my bus buddy didn’t show up, so Blake asked if he could sit with me on the three hour ride from Austin to Houston. I guarantee you that my teenage self was in full panic mode because all the girls in school knew who he was, but between composing my anxiety to keep conversation alive for six hours and worrying whether or not I had food caught in my braces (remember those days?), there was a spark that was undeniable

Flash forward two years later when we were both attending college at the University of Texas. Blake broke up with me and we went our separate ways for four years. We both focused on school and dated other people throughout – however, I had this thing I called “first love syndrome” where no matter what, I could not shake my feelings for Blake! Let’s just say I mastered the breakup wallowing phase and it kind of stuck around for another two years following the breakup…as did my routine of blasting sad Taylor Swift songs and belting them in the car…(White Horse, anyone?).

It was a blessing and a curse that the Biomedical Engineering building and the Journalism school were along the same pathway, which meant I’d run into him regularly. Though it was tough to see him so often, it also gave us time to catch up and stay in each other’s lives over the next few years.

I graduated UT in 2012 and began working in the marketing department at Kendra Scott Jewelry shortly after. I was at home when I received a text from Blake telling me in the midst of cleaning his apartment he found an old note I’d written him years ago and that after re-reading it, he felt inclined to reach out. He asked me to grab a drink and catch up, and of course, I accepted the invitation.

One drink led to over six hours of conversation and it was clear that timing was in our favor this time around. Those four years apart were the best thing for us and gave us time to mature and grow as individuals. After six months of dating “part deux,” we moved in together and our relationship felt stronger than ever!

As for the proposal…Blake works in cancer research as a scientist/software developer and he used his coding background to create a website that chronicled our full story and history together. He surprised me one morning during what appeared to be normal coffeehouse work session at one of my favorite spots along Lake Austin that we’ve been going to together since we were teens (and it’s also where we took the photos in this post). He kept his cool all morning and finally said he wanted to show me something on his computer…and when I read the first line and saw a picture of us from 2007 as kiddos, I completely lost it. After I scrolled through the site reading through little snippets of our life together and wiped the endless stream of tears away, he got down on one knee…and the rest is history!

Given my workload managing Livvyland and my day job, we decided a long engagement was best for us so that we could have ample planning time. In terms of a dream wedding, our biggest hope is that it’s ultra romantic, personal and above all, fun! I am most excited about working with people we’ve known since high school or college who have started their own businesses and now work in the wedding industry in Austin – pastry chefs, florists, calligraphers, photographers, etc. I think it’s so sweet to keep things intimate and “in the family” per se. Aside from that, I’ll be sharing the rest as it comes! Next up on my to-do list is wedding dress shopping this weekend…I’m thinking something feminine and whimsical! You can follow my dress shopping adventures on Instagram, I’m certain I’ll be sharing any news!

I am beyond thrilled and so honored to a be the newest Blogger Bride and I can’t wait to chronicle our wedding journey leading up to the big day on October 15, 2016. Thank you so much for following along!

Follow All Our Blogger Brides HERE

Photography: A Dandy Pear

This is the kind of wedding that makes you want to kick off your heels and pour a festive glass o’ bubbly. It’s just that fun. 36th Street Events designed a day that’s one part modern and one part classic with no shortage of color thanks to Verbena Floral Design. Black and white stripe lovers – consider this your lucky day and follow me to the full  gallery by Jen Dillender.

From The Bride…We met shortly after Joe relocated to Washington, DC to pursue a job opportunity as a landscape architect. We shared a love of football, and enjoyed cheering on our favorite NFL team, the New Orleans Saints.

Joe proposed on November 17, 2013, two years into our courtship. The night before we had gone to a friends wedding in downtown D.C. The next morning Joe took our goldendoodle Arabi on her morning walk while I stayed in bed. On this particular morning, Joe decided to put a T-shirt on Arabi with a photo of a diamond ring and the text “will you marry my daddy?”. After the proposal, we went to one of our favorite neighborhood restaurants where we met up with 20 of our closets friends and family to toast our engagement.

When looking at wedding venues, we knew we wanted something different. We considered getting married in DC, but decided on Austin because to its laid-back atmosphere. Additionally, my family was from Austin, and the city was like a second home to me. After looking at a number of venues, we fell in love with The Contemporary Austin at Laguna Gloria because of the breathtaking grounds and gorgeous views of Lake Austin. A private residence built in 1916, Laguna Gloria was converted into an art gallery in the 1960s. The design of the villa and surrounding grounds was inspired by the original owners’ trip to Lake Como, Italy. We knew it was just the place to achieve the upscale, outdoor, garden party feel we wanted for our wedding reception.

We were married on May 8, 2015. Though the day began with a few showers, the rain stopped and the clouds parted just in time for us to walk down the aisle as man and wife. The day was everything that I could hoped for and more!

Photography: Jen Dillender Photography | Event Planning: 36th Street Events | Floral Design: Verbena Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Amsale | Cake: Crave Catering | Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas | Bride's Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Crave Catering | Hair And Makeup: Rae Cosmetics | Lighting: Ilios | DJ: Hill Country DJ | Groom's Attire: Alton Lane | Transportation: R&R Transportation | Venue: The Contemporary Austin | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Rentals: Premiere Events | Tent Rentals: Marquee Tents

Hotter that blue blazes, this central Texas wedding is gussied up and gorg. Combining favorite details from previous weddings they’d attended – this duo served cocktails before the ceremony and had a live band play music they love. From the laid back ceremony overlooking Texas hill country to the intimate reception underneath the oak trees, Loft Photography captured every moment here!

From Loft Photography LLC…Patti was raised in Wimberley, Alex grew up in Houston and Dallas, so they knew they wanted to have a central Texas wedding. The laid back couple hosted family and friends at one of Austin’s newest wedding venues for a scenic ceremony overlooking the Texas hill country. Their biggest goal was to have fun, and make the wedding as enjoyable for their guests as it was for them. They combined all the best things they liked from past weddings attended, like serving cocktails before the ceremony and having a real band play music they love rather than a traditional wedding band. Alex’s favorite color is blue so it was incorporated throughout the table settings and wedding attire, including unique blue ties for each of his groomsmen. Guests were treated to an intimate dinner on the patio followed by live music and an open dance floor under oak trees and Italian lights. They kept things simple, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere for their friends to celebrate with them.

Photography: Loft Photography LLC | Florals: Margot Blair Floral | Wedding Dress: Rebecca Schoneveld | Cake: Society Bakery | Bride's Shoes: J.Crew | Bridesmaid Dresses: Amsale | Catering: Pink Avacado | Hair & Makeup: Milk + Honey Spa | Band: Roxy Roca | Wedding Venue: Merryvale Wedding And Event Venue | Alcohol : Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka | Custom Bridesmaid Earrings: Nicola Bathie | Flower Girl Dress: Ryan Seacrest Distinction | Invitation Calligraphy : Carolyn Jane | Rentals: Premiere Events Group

Al fresco fetes own my heart during the spring and summer months. Grass sweeping your heels, late evening toasts kissed by the sun and warm breezes wrapping you in love—they’re my jam. And Jenna McElroy is delivering just that today with these backyard beautiful I do’s. I know, right? I had to double take when I read ‘backyard’, but it’s true. With the help of Lisa Coffman, Marquee Event Group and Lee Warth, this private residence was turned intro a straight up love lounge. There’s more this way!

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From The Bride…Garrett and I were fortunate enough not only to have the wedding of our dreams, but also to be able to have it in Garrett’s backyard. As we started wedding planning and researching venues, we quickly realized that nothing could beat a backyard reception. Our goal was to create an environment that felt secluded, tucked away, almost enchanted, even though we were set in the middle of the Texas Hill Country. What we were able to create over the next few months, after a lot of help from both of our parents, as well as a little makeover to the yard and a few large tents, far exceeded both Garrett and I’s expectations. With the guidance of an outstanding wedding planner and amazing vendors we were able to spend our perfect wedding night celebrating our new life together with our closest family and friends.

Photography: Jenna McElroy | Videographer: Photohouse Films | Planner: University Of Texas Golf Club | Floral Design: Lee Warth | Wedding Dress: Liancarlo | Cake: Hill Country Cakes | Invitations: Hodgepodge Design | Ceremony: Central Christian Church | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Sterling Affairs Catering | DJ: Tunes Across Texas | Venue: Private Residence | Film Scans: PhotoVision Prints | Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals

From the blush and champagne palette to the long, banquet-style dinner tables, everything about this romantic lakeside estate wedding in Austin, Texas is perfection! Mint Photography makes every sunset-lit moment look magical, so brace yourselves for billowy canopies, the prettiest desserts, bridal flower crowns and more pretty in the full gallery right here!

From Mint Photography… Jourdan and Cole’s wedding at Villa Del Lago was the perfect combination of soft glimmering colors and the most beautiful summer sunset light – set at one of our favorite wedding venues with it’s amazing lake and hillside views. We always love photographing weddings at Villa Del Lago for it’s immense elegance amongst the Hill Country area. Together this bride and groom were the epitome of elegance themselves. From the walk down the aisle to the sunset lit toasts, this was just one of those weddings you can’t get enough of!

Photography: Mint Photography | Videography: Unwriten Pictures | Coordination: Valerie Miller Events | Floral Design: Valerie Miller Events | Wedding Dress: Watters | Ceremony Venue: Villa Del Lago | Hair And Makeup: Beauty Mark Agency | Hair And Makeup: Beauty Mark Agency | DJ: Look No Further Entertainment | Reception Dress: BHLDN

Married under an ancient oak in a field of wildflowers, this darling duo said “I Do” in a big celebration with family and friends. Filled with Southwestern details like succulents on the reception tables, cactus pins on the escort cards, and an array of fresh blooms atop the Polka Dots Cupcake Factory 5-tier wedding cake, this organic gallery from The Nichols is not one to be missed!

From the beautiful Bride… Growing up in Austin, Abe and I ran in similar circles for most of our young lives. We didn’t actually become a couple until our late twenties – but once we paired up, it was clear it was for the long haul. When we decided to get married, we knew it would be a big celebration with lots of family and friends.

It was important that our wedding felt authentic to us – and that it represented us as a couple. We wanted to create an intimate experience – despite a large guest list – that combined our taste and style with elements of a traditional Jewish ceremony. When we stumbled upon our venue, we immediately knew it was the perfect place for us. There was a lot of flexible outdoor space and fields of wild flowers with gorgeous old oak trees.

When the big day finally arrived – the weather could not have been more perfect. After a sunset ceremony, guests enjoyed dinner and dancing under the stars. It was a perfect night – and one that we will never forget.

Photography: Nichols Photographers | Event Planning: Couture Details | Floral Design: Rosehip Flora | Wedding Dress: Liancarlo | Cake: Polkadots | Stationery: Guerilla Suit | Catering: Royal Fig Catering | Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | Groom's Attire: Billy Reid | Ceremony Music: Arundel Ensemble | Wedding Venue: Vineyard At Chappel Lodge | Dessert: Maggie Louise Confections | Guest Transportation: Uptown Valet | Late Night Snack: Homeslice Pizza | Reception Band: T.G.B.A.D. | Tent And Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals

This tablescape is both intimately romantic and chic, one where I can see myself getting comfortable among Petal, Ink’s florals for hours. But add in that gorgeous gown by Nha Khanh and this celebration becomes wedding material, with my love for it growing even more. Kate Anfinson’s photos are downright frame worthy and I won’t be closing out of this gallery anytime soon.

From Kate Anfinson Photography… This garden wedding styled shoot is filled with vibrant pink and shimmering metallic accents set against a backdrop of neutral and organic elements. Laguna Gloria provides the perfect setting to create a romantic garden atmosphere. Lovely Letters Shop’s invitation suite with rose gold calligraphy sets the tone for elegance and femininity. Our model, Emily, looks stunning with side swept hair and glowing makeup done by Makenzi Laine.

An understated Nha Khanh lace gown and delicate rose gold earrings complete the look. Florals by Petals Ink feature pops of magenta amid blush, white and peach hues – a perfect complement to the vintage gold china and berry tinted goblets in the tablescape by Birch and Brass. Green Lily Bakery’s gorgeous cake and small desserts, including macarons brushed with copper, were the finishing touch.

Photography: Kate Anfinson Photography | Floral Design: Petals, ink. | Wedding Dress: Nha Khanh | Hair and Makeup: Makenzi Laine | Venue: The Contemporary Austin | Cake and Desserts: Green Lily Bakery | Earrings: Allure Wedding Jewelry | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Paper Goods: Lovely Letters Shop | Rentals: Birch And Brass Rentals

I’ve long heard the glories of Austin but I had no idea that it possessed a wedding wonder in its vicinity like Villa Del Lago. Transformed into an Italian escape for this couple’s summer celebration, it was covered with beautiful blush blooms from Flora Fetish. Jana Williams worked her magic behind the lens and these pics might just trick you into believing that they actually were taken in Tuscany.

From Jana Williams Photography… Connie and Daniel fell in love after meeting on Coffee Meets Bagel. The New Yorkers have a love for Europe and wanted to get married in a place that felt like Italy. They found that location in Austin, Texas. Villa Del Lago stole their hearts with its breathtaking views and grand structure.

Connie chose a beautiful Jenny Lee gown that was so elegant and feminine; it reminded me of a rose from the back and moved with such grace.

She added a fashion aspect by choosing the amazing Sergio Rossi booties as her wedding shoes.
The 100 guests that flew in from all over the world enjoyed an outside luxurious dinner under the stars after the ceremony. The day was perfect from start to finish.

On top of this being the perfect place to get married, Villa Del Lago also donates 50 percent of the proceeds to a local charity. My heart was touched so much by that news. I hope you enjoy this wedding as much as I enjoyed capturing it.

Photography: Jana Williams Photography | Event Planning: Austin Wedding Planners by Rosa | Floral Design: Flora Fetish | Wedding Dress: Jenny Lee Bridal | Shoes: Sergio Rossi | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Tai | Makeup: Laura Martinez | Hair: Erica Rae | Wedding Venue: Villa Del Lago

From using a cookbook as a guestbook to gifting Tiny Pies in mason jars as favors, this Austin couple made sure their personalities came through in their gorgeous fall wedding. 36th Street Events worked its magic, along with lush blooms from Petals, Ink. and cakes from Polka Dots Cupcake Factory, to make it an unforgettable celebration, and you can join in the fun right here!

From the beautiful Bride… Sam and I were high school sweethearts and endured five years of long distance during college before he proposed on Town Lake with our rescue pit bull, Droopy. After celebrating our engagement with mimosas and french pastries, planning our dream wedding immediately became a true labor of love. We wanted our wedding to be a romantic representation of our hometown, Austin, and infused natural colors, metallics, different textures, and pops of bold hues in the floral design to bring our vision to life.

We were working on a budget, so every weekend I would go out with my mom and sisters to look for one-of-a-kind finds that wouldn’t break the bank, like the votives from our local grocery store and the head table linen from Jo-Ann Fabrics. We also re-purposed a lot of things we already owned, like the picture frames that held keepsake photos of our families, rustic lanterns – and my sister even made a lot of our desserts! I even hand-wrote all of our escort cards. However, my favorite DIY project that we took on was sponging gold paint on what felt like hundreds of orange and white pumpkins to display throughout the wedding.

Sam and I also wanted to inject our personalities into the wedding, and we found creative ways to do so. Our guest sign-in book was a cookbook since Sam and I love to cook together…. we had our guests write something special next to their favorite recipes! Our signature drinks were Moscow Mules and White Russians (the Dude abides), and we also chose to do tiny pies in mason jars as our wedding favors – a nod to our love of Southern sweets and our laid back lifestyle.

Our ceremony and reception were on the mosaic-stoned terrace at One World Theatre, and Sam and I said our vows at sunset with our closest friends and family looking on.  It was truly an emotional, personal, and ethereal experience.

From 36th Street Events… Kylie met Sam in a high school physics class. He was the class clown and she was the studious type. Fast-forward five years through a long distance relationship and you can imagine Sam on one knee in the middle of the hike and bike bridge where Kylie loves to run.

These two hopeless romantics continued the element of surprise throughout their wedding by scheming with DJ Byrne Rock to surprise Kylie’s mom with a special “first dance”. Her parents had eloped 25 years earlier and never had a formal wedding, or a first dance. There wasn’t a dry eye in the room as the Bride’s parents danced to a favorite song by a local artist named Jimmy LaFave.

The ceremony took place on a mosaic-stoned terrace overlooking the Texas hill country, where the Bride and Groom graduated from high school sweethearts to lifelong lovers. Kate Anfinson Photography was there to capture every intimate moment.

The focus on romance was continued through the reception floral design expertly styled by Petals, Ink. Floral Artistry. Lush deep red and purple blooms complemented small pumpkins and metallic accents as a dreamy nod to the upcoming holiday. Later in the evening guests were invited to experience the Bride and Groom’s love of Southern sweets and a laid-back lifestyle with a variety of seasonal pies in mason jars.

The 36th Street Events planning team was beyond thrilled to bring all these details together for what shaped up to be every pumpkin latte-drinking romance-loving bride’s dream come true!

Photography: Kate Anfinson | Event Planning: 36th Street Events | Floral Design: Petals, ink. | Wedding Dress: Serendipity Bridal | Cupcakes: Homemade By Bride's Sister | Stationery: The Stationery Bakery | Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Anthropologie | Catering: Pink Avocado | DJ: Byrne Rock | Wedding Favors: Tiny Pies | Groom's Attire: Jack Victor | Officiant: Hill Country Officiant | Wedding Venue: One World Theatre | Bride & Bridal Party Hair: Adore Makeup Salon | Bride & Bridal Party Makeup: Adore Makeup Salon | Bride And Groom's Cakes: Polkadots | Bridesmaids' Belts: Anthropologie | Ceremony And Cocktail Hour Music: Hill Country Strings | Chalkboard Program And Easel: HEB Blooms | Escort Card: Hobby Lobby | Father Of The Bride's Attire: Jack Victor | Flower Girls' Dresses: Amazon | Groom And Groomsmen's Ties: Dillard's | Head Table Linen: Joann Fabrics | Lounge Pillows: Home Goods | Moroccan Lanterns: Home Goods | Mother Of Groom's Attire: Nordstrom | Mother Of The Bride's Attire: Saks Fifth Avenue | Pumpkins: Whole Foods Market Preston | Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals | Table Numbers: Timeless Things | Votives: HEB Blooms | Wooden Lounge Furniture: One World Theatre

There’s something so perfectly sweet about a brunch wedding, but factor in the beautiful old church, a glowing Bride plus a Groom in uniform, and you’ve got a recipe for perfection. It’s a true family affair captured by Kristen Kilpatrick, and to top if all off? A three-tiered cinnamon roll flavored wedding cake made my the bride’s best friend. Yes, please!

From Kristen Kilpatrick…Sometimes when a wedding ceremony is so incredibly special and soul filling, it then becomes hard to put into words, which is why the little details and small moments throughout the day play such an important role for telling the sory of the day. Luisa and Even first met during the second grade in their small hometown of Elgin, Texas. After highshcool graduation the two lost touch and in 2012 rekindled their flame. From my very first client meeting with Luisa, she made it completely clear that she wanted the ceremony to be God glorifying and centered on the true meaning of marriage. Luisa also wanted to plan a wedding that was small and intimate, so that she best felt surrounded by family and Christ. This stunning bride couldn’t have asked for a more romantic, sincere, or gorgeous day! Having the entire family able to attend was important to Luisa and Evan, so they decided to go with a brunch themed noon wedding in order to assure everyone made it home safely by evening. They chose to have their wedding at Mercury Hall in Austin, Texas.

The twelve o’clock sunshine seeped through the stain glass windows of the old refurbished Church and completely lit up the ceremony site with the most breathtaking natural light. Upon entering guest mingled and gathered around a table that had old pictures of the bride and groom framed about. The love these two shared for each other couldn’t have been any more evident. Once they signed the guest book, guest found their seats and began listening to soft strums of a guitarist.

Soon after Luisa walked down the isle and dropped the jaws of many as her inner beauty radiated throughout the room. Her effortlessly elegant “up do” and simple diamond drop earrings paired together perfectly, giving her the look of a timeless classic bride.

This elegant couple got married in front of an old fireplace that was covered in fresh garden roses as well as other beautiful flowers with vintage candle holders placed throughout. During the ceremony Luisa and Evan shared communion and prayer together then sealed their covenant with a kiss! With family being so important to Luisa, she had her florist use her great grandmothers vintage mason jars for some of the table centerpieces. Guest enjoyed a seated and relaxed Texas style BBQ lunch and close friends made speeches that brought tears to all!

The brunch aspect was heightened when Luisa and Evan cut into their three-tiered cinnamon roll flavored wedding cake, created by the bride’s best friend and bridesmaid. Vintage china was used to serve the cake and coffee. Luisa brought forth elements of a modern bride to her wedding by incorporating pops of pink vibrant hues to her florals, which added a nice cheerful color to her images. The newlyweds were sent off with a flower toss and lots of love from family and friends. The love Evan and Luisa share was such a blessing to witness, much less capture.

Photography: Kristen Kilpatrick | Planner: Soireebliss! Events | Floral Design: Zinnia and Company | Wedding Dress: Justin Alexander | Makeup: Nisa Nicole Makeup Artistry | Hair: Path Salon | Venue: Mercury Hall | Ceremony Backdrop: Loot Vintage Rentals

There are romantic weddings and then there is this: a drop-dead gorgeous Hill Country affair that is bursting with some of the most stunning details you have ever seen.  Imagine a straight from Versailles vibe with lush garden party-inspired blooms from Last Petal, a soft, pastel color palette and the beauty stylings of Belle Mariee.  See every breathtaking image captured by Mint Photography in the full gallery.

From Mint Photography… Melanie and Frank’s wedding took place at one of the most unique venues in the Austin area, Le San Michele. We love the mix of architecture and nature that this venue provides. Melanie’s bridal style was impeccable. She looked beyond elegant. The whole day was styled impeccably, and this couple was the sweetest – we couldn’t be happier to have been a part in capturing everything!

From the Bride… Leading up to our day took a lot of planning. Our first objective was to find that perfect venue for a garden wedding. We knew that we wanted something timeless and vintage, but finding the right kind of venue was a task. We decided on a venue that best described Versailles meets Sante Fe. We love to travel and lived abroad, so the atmosphere that was created fit our personalities and lifestyle perfectly. We rented various lounging areas that set up the relaxed vibe but something that matched our colors, which were blush and lavender. My husband made our seating chart which was a peg board made into a door. Our guests picked a key and then found their table, in which laid a matching door knob. He is so handy! We did have limited floral arrangements; we only really used them for our arch way, centerpieces and of course boutonnieres. To save money the flowers were primarily seasonal and color coordinated. I mixed my bouqet with succulents which my husband and I fell in love with. If I were to give any advice in planning this theme is to have very subtle accents of color and decor.

Photography: Mint Photography | Floral Design: Last Petal | Bakery: Coco Paloma Desserts | Ceremony Venue: Le San Michele | Reception Venue: Le San Michele | Hair & Makeup: Belle Mariee | DJ: Hill Country DJ | Bridal Gown: Inbal Dror | Coordinating: Your Wedding Your Way | Rentals: Bee Lavish Vintage Rentals

Nothing says spring quite like lush florals and pretty pastels, and this slice of stunning is filled with plenty of both. Jessica Gold Photography captured beautiful bouquets, fancy floral crowns, and gorgeous BHLDN gowns, all in a gallery I’m sure to revisit time and time again, here!

From Jessica Gold Photography… As winter comes to an end, this shoot had us dreaming of spring! First, we love the neutral tones displayed through the details. Between the blush, golds, greys, and other colors, we adore the palette that brings the feeling of a spring wedding. This is seen through the bridal party fashion, invitation suite, shoes, accessories, and more! As for the tablescape, we love the wood and mismatching chairs accented with simple greenery for chair backs. As for the display of the table, we have a simple beige table runner, candle holders, and a lush centerpiece. The centerpiece is the eye-catcher of the table, complimented by other details. For each table setting, we love a personalized menu for each guest, tied with a ribbon and some greenery! And as for the china and wineglasses, gold is never out of style! To continue with gold, we love the gold wedding cake! What better way to celebrate a spring wedding than with a gorgeous floral-accented gold wedding cake?! The florals absolutely take our breath away; nothing says spring like lush and gorgeous florals! We love the use of peonies, tulips, and greenery to fill the floral arrangements. As for the bridal style, we love the blush wedding dress and grey bridesmaids dresses to finish the look! To finish the bride’s look, her gold hair pins accent her elegant bun and bring together her ethereal look. As for the bridesmaids, what else says spring other than beautiful floral crowns?!

Photography: Jessica Gold Photography | Florals: Bristol Lane Florals | Cake: Blue Note Bakery | Shoes: BHLDN | Bridesmaids' Dresses: BHLDN | Makeup: Makenzi Laine | Hair Stylist: Propaganda Hair group | Venue: Le San Michele | Bride's Dress: BHLDN | Floral Ribbon: Silk and Willow | Hair Accessories: BHLDN | Paper: Magnolia Tree Paperie | Rentals: Birch And Brass Rentals | Table Ribbon: FrouFrou Chic

This, my friends, is the kind of wedding I live for: a laid-back, yet totally sophisticated affair that is equal parts sooo fun and sooo pretty.  From the beautiful blooms from Rosehip Flora to the garden-inspired loveliness crafted by Beau Tied Events (masters, I tell you) to that oh-so-cool Austin charm.  In other words?  It’s pure perfection… and the gallery from Kat Bevel?  As awesome as you think.  

From The Bride… Jeff and I began planning just over four months before our wedding day. When we started planning, all we knew was the location: Austin, Texas, where we met twelve years ago. Beyond that, we knew we wanted to keep things simple and fun, which for us meant focusing on things we love: food, music, and our wonderful family and friends.

Because we were planning a wedding in Austin from our home in San Francisco and we had both a short time frame and a strict budget, we knew we needed help, which is where our wedding planner, Kathlee Akers, came to the rescue. She listened to my stream of ideas and helped us plan a wedding that was beautiful, intimate, elegant, and completely true to our somewhat quirky personalities.

Within a month, we had booked the perfect venue, the Palm Door, in the heart of downtown Austin, and had found Erin at Rosehip Flora, who would transform the Palm Door into the indoor garden of my dreams. Pink Avocado, Palm Door’s in-house catering team, wowed us from our first tasting through the wedding day.

Our ceremony was brief but personal: we asked three of the people most dear to us to perform readings of poems that we love, then exchanged vows we had written ourselves and stored in our pockets as we walked up the aisle. We spent the rest of the evening eating, drinking, dancing, and talking to guests who had traveled to the heat of Texas in August from as far as London and Mozambique. Our close friend Will stepped in as our DJ and played songs that we love from the minute the ceremony started until we left for the night. Jeff and I managed a first dance without falling down and then, in lieu of the traditional father daughter dance, my father played “Ripple” by the Grateful Dead, which we sang together.

When Kat Bevel sent us the pictures of our wedding, I promptly burst into tears because they so perfectly captured our wedding day and the love that we felt for each other and our family and friends.

Unless you have unlimited time and unlimited resources, planning a wedding alone is impossible. My best advice is to find people you trust, whether friends and family or a wedding planner, and let them help you make decisions, especially for things you don’t feel strongly about.

Photography: Kat Bevel Photography | Event Planner: Beau Tied Events | Florist: Rosehip Flora | Wedding Dress: J.Crew | Cake: Sweet Treets Bakery | Catering: Pink Avocado | Calligraphy: Carolyn Jane | Wedding Venue: Palm Door | Rentals: Premiere Events | Stylist: Method Salon | Vintage Rentals: Bee Lavish Vintage Rentals

I’m pretty sure that when Andy Barnhart set out to find the perfect location to shoot these two lovebirds, he nailed it with this gem known as Le San Michele. With a slightly Mediterranean vibe, but rooted to the Southwest, it served as the sweetest backdrop to let Kim and Will’s love shine. Take a peek at the colorful, happy gallery for more.

From Andy Barnhart Photography…I recently traveled to Austin, TX for Kim and Will’s engagement session. I was scouting possible locations online before the trip. When I came across photos of Le San Michele, my jaw dropped. I couldn’t believe this venue was in Texas! The farmhouse and the fountains on the property looked like it could be in Italy, or somewhere along the Mediterranean. Although, the shoot was in January, the warm Texas sun gave us a Spring-like day, and the property shined with beautiful agave and cactus throughout. Then, we went to the park where Will proposed to Kim while on her morning run with their two dogs. We finished the shoot with a beautiful evening stroll along the river, with the Austin skyline as the backdrop. Can’t wait for their wedding in Colorado this August!

Photography: Andy Barnhart Photography | Wedding Venue: Le San Michele