Texas Weddings

With a courtship that took them from Louisiana to London, this couple was well traveled and ready to celebrate with all their loved ones when it came to their special day. Hosting their celebration in the colorful city of Austin, their wedding took on that energy with bright greens and gold, and a Bride that never stopped smiling. Jenna McElroy captured it all for us to soak up right here.

From The Bride… As all great love stories begin, we first met in a bar in Shreveport during my senior year of college and on Jamie’s last day of a work trip. He’s British and in the Royal Air Force and had been working from an Air Force base in Shreveport-Bossier for the last couple of weeks. We exchanged email addresses and began a long distance friendship over the next year. After many emails, Skype calls and a deployment to Afghanistan, our friendship had become much more and Jamie decided to fly over to Austin for our first official date, on New Year’s Eve of 2009. Over the summer I had received word that I had been accepted into a Master’s programme in London and we were very excited about the prospect of living in the same country. We were long distance for the next nine months, save a two week trip to England in March in which he surprised me with a trip to Paris as a belated Valentine’s Day gift.

I finally moved over to England in August of 2010 and since then we’ve been through three more deployments, finishing my master’s degree and establishing ourselves in Cambridge. Last Christmas, Jamie decided to pop the question at our family Christmas and flew over on Boxing Day (December 26th) to see me and my family. It didn’t go completely as planned and involved a crazy cat and a giant TV hogging the limelight. But of course, I said yes and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It typified our relationship, so much love, lots of laughs and a little bit of crazy. Apparently there was a second proposal planned, but it was ruined as well when I had to work late one night; so when we returned back to England, I opened a picture collage that Jamie had made with ‘Will You Marry Me?’ written across the glass.

We had the most incredible wedding weekend celebration in Austin. Family and friends flew from all across the globe to celebrate; it was the first time our parents had met and it was the most wonderful feeling to have all the people that we love in the same room. Besides saying our vows and dancing with my dad, the most precious memory was walking down the aisle and seeing all of the people that travelled to celebrate with us; I’ve never felt a room bursting with so much love. It was the most perfect day.

Photography: Jenna McElroy | Florist: Kathy Barger | Bridesmaid Dresses: Bella Bridesmaid | DJ: Tunes Across Texas | Baker: Crema Bakery | Bridal Store: Maggie Louise Bridal | Dress Designer: Mikaella Bridal | Film Scans: PhotoVision Prints | Hair Artist: Pearl Austin | Hair + Makeup | Make-up Artist: Danann Patrick Of Mint Salon | The Mansion: The Tfwc Mansion

I just realized that I have a grin spread wide across my face, and the source of this smile is the video by Ian Fleming below. I’m beaming from watching these adorable lovebirds say their “I do’s” and all the perfect little details they scattered throughout their Texas bash. Pearl Events Austin orchestrated the whole affair and Awake Photography didn’t miss a beat. Join the club and smile with me right here.

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From The Bride… One of the most important things to Jeesoung and I when starting our wedding planning was that our day be meaningful, romantic and surrounded by nature. We visited numerous venues until we stumbled upon Vineyard at Chappel Lodge. The day we arrived for our first visit it was cold and raining, but as soon as we drove up I knew it was the one. With the fields of wildflowers lining the long driveway, the flawlessly kept vineyard and the towering oak trees along the ceremony site, it was perfect. The venue felt tucked away almost like a secret garden and reminded me of the spot where Jeesoung asked me to marry him.

We chose shades of off-white, blush, and green as our wedding colors. I always had a vision that one day my wedding would be dripping with chandeliers. The festoon lighting and giant chandeliers framing the head table were one of my favorite details of the reception and gave it the perfect romantic touch. Because our venue was so beautiful we didn’t want the details taking away from the natural feel of the location, and our wedding planner did a great job making sure this didn’t happen.

One of my favorite memories of the day was our first look near the low hanging oak trees of our ceremony site. Jeesoung and I were completely captivated by each other. The sun shone through the clouds almost like a spotlight and we felt like were the only ones on the planet. Our photographer did an amazing job of capturing the genuine love Jeesoung and I have for one another and the excitement we shared in that moment.

There are so many other details that I could go on and on about. From the loose romantic flower arrangements, to the incredibly delicious wedding cake, every aspect was better than I ever imagined. I get butterflies every time I think back on our wedding day. It truly was The Best Day Ever.

From Megan Metzger Of Pearl Events Austin… Stephanie and Jeesoung’s wedding was pure perfection, just like them. From the beginning of the planning process, Stephanie and Jee wanted their wedding to be beautiful, romantic, and personal. We focused the decor around an elegant vintage garden theme which was a perfect match for the Vineyard at Chappel Lodge. Our floral inspiration stemmed from loose and organic arrangements with pops of color. In order to accomplish a vintage element, our caterer, Catering with a Twist, provided mismatched vintage china at each place setting.

The couple provided many DIY elements to make their wedding personal. They had an amazing sign made to welcome guests, and the escort cards were in planters made by Stephanie’s mom to further emphasize the garden theme. For months, Stephanie and I searched for the perfect cake table linen, and we finally found it through La Tavola linens. It was an amazing addition to the already spectacular cake and dessert table provided by Polkadots Cupcake Factory.

Photography: Awake Photography | Videography: Ian Fleming | Planner: Pearl Events Austin | Floral Design: Bouquets of Austin | Wedding Dress: Pronovias | Cake: Polkadots | Reception Venue: Vineyard At Chappel Lodge | Jewelry: Mia Bridal Couture | Caterer: Catering with a Twist | Hair & Makeup: Propaganda Hair group | Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | DJ: Hill Country DJ | Groom's Attire: Macy's | Officiant: Todd Rapp | Transportation: Uptown Valet | Bride's Accessories (Belt): Blossom Veils | Flower Girl Basket: BHLDN | Groom's Attire (Cuff Links): Smathers & Branson | Groom's Attire (Tie): The Tie Bar | Linens: BBJ La Tavola | Rentals: Premiere Events | Table Numbers: BHLDN | Veil: Brickhouse Bridal

From modern to classic, rustic to glam, we love weddings of all shapes and sizes but this particular beauty is sweet reminder of how stunning a boho affair can be. Complete with a lush, natural setting and protea-filled bouquets by Pollen Floral Art, it’s a day with a style all its own, and Lauren Peele didn’t miss a beat. Boho lovers unite in the gallery right here.

From Lauren Peele… Natalie and Noah are both runners, Natalie runs professionally, and their wedding was a true reflection of their love for nature and the outdoors. Laguna Gloria’s beautiful lakeside view and lush natural landscaping provided the perfect backdrop for photos.

The reception decor was desert inspired, complete with lots of succulents and cacti, and full of thoughtful details. Natalie hand picked all of the vases and terrariums for the tables, so that each table was unique. Pollen Floral Art used a mixture of pink, cream, salmon, and red tones in the lush and loose floral arrangements, which pulled the reception decor together perfectly. Their wedding was such a fun celebration, and I’m so honored to have captured it!

Photography: Lauren Peele | Florist: Pollen Floral Art | Wedding Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Cake: Coco Paloma Desserts | Bridesmaid Dresses: Free People | Makeup: Studio Tilee | Hair: Studio Tilee | Groom's Attire: Zara | Wedding Venue: The Contemporary Austin | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Maid Of Honor Dress: Adrianna Papell

Before I knew it, I was adding this wedding to my list of all-time favorites. I continue to find new details to adore every time I go through these pics by Cory Ryan, from Posey Floral and Event Design‘s bouquets, to the cutest flower girl I ever did see. 36th Street Events crafted this chic celebration and I’m now thinking black, white, blush and gold might be my own new wedding colors. Pretty fabulous, right?

From Cory Ryan Photography… I’ve been looking forward to Caroline & Logan’s Vintage Villas wedding ever since I had the pleasure of photographing their engagement photos. You can tell when they lock eyes how truly in love they are! In fact, these two are high school sweethearts, finally reunited for a lifetime. This classy black and white wedding was effortlessly organized by 36th Street Events, with chic touches of gold, blush, coral and green. Caroline and Logan exchanged gifts before their first look, with Caroline receiving stunning diamond earrings and a sweet card that put her in tears, and Logan receiving a Movado watch. Their first look was magical, and Caroline spun around in her Vera Wang wedding dress paired perfectly with gold Jimmy Choo heels. Caroline attached her grandmother’s starburst brooch to her bouquet for her “something borrowed” – I just love heartfelt personal family touches like that! Their magical ceremony took place overlooking Lake Austin at sunset, with grandma throwing in a hilarious blessing wishing them “good sex” (ha ha!) providing a little comic relief from the emotional ceremony. Then I lucked out, and was in heaven doing gorgeous golden hour portraits with the stunning gold and cobalt sky. After dinner and a sweet toast by Caroline’s dad, the couple enjoyed their first dance courtesy of the wedding band Caboose. Guests of all ages hit the dance floor and partied with awesome moves until Caroline and Logan’s streamer wand exit.

Photography: Cory Ryan Photography | Event Planning: 36th Street Events | Floral Design: Posey Floral and Event Design | Wedding Dress: Vera Wang | Cake: Polkadots | Make-up: Houston Puryear | Hair: Mirror Mirror | Lighting: Ilios | Band: Caboose | Bridal Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Ceremony & Reception Venue: Vintage Villas | Musician: Austin Harp

Maybe it’s the streamliner reception, the cafe lights adorning the scenery, or the fact that this Bride is one serious baker, but something is seriously special about this outdoor affair. Starting with the perfectly pink Petals, Ink. bouquets, to the couple’s sweetly sentimental vows, every moment Luxe Photography snapped up is sweet and sentimental. See it all right here!

From the beautiful Bride… I first met Will through work. We worked at a large company of over six hundred employees in Austin, Texas. Will and I worked on separate floors but we worked on similar projects so we spoke over the phone quite often. After a few months of subtle flirting, I found myself developing a small crush on Will without ever having seen his face. I had started making up reasons to call him just so I could hear his voice. I decided that this was unacceptable and that I had to see what he looked liked once and for all. Once I did, it was all over for me. I fell head over heels for his boyish grin and puppy dog eyes. My small crush had turned into a full blown one.

Having never pursued a man before, I took my mothers wise advise “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach”! I started baking treats like cookies and brownies every Friday to take down to his floor with the excuse “I just think we all should get to know each other better!” I of course went around and talked to everyone and passed out cookies so that I wouldn’t look too desperate, but I of course lingered a little longer at Will’s desk to make sure he knew it was all for him. After a few weeks of this he was mine!

Fast forward three years and we were engaged! Within a week of getting engaged, I fell in love for a second time with Laguna Gloria and booked it on the spot! I move fast when I know what I want! Being at Laguna Gloria is like being in a secret garden in Italy. The gorgeous house built in the 1920’s brings you back in time and the lake view makes one feel like you are in another country. It was the perfect outdoor setting that we were looking for and that I had always imagined.

Will and I got married under the Temple of Love surrounded by our closest friends and family on a warm June evening. The gazebo was tucked away on a lagoon with trees and water surrounding us. The beauty was further enhanced by the lush and vibrant pink bouquets adorning the gazebo. Our fairytale ceremony turned out to be exactly what we wanted. It was heartfelt, spiritual and intimate.

The reception was equally important to Will and I. Our main concern was for everyone to have fun and relax. We picked an amazing local band to get everyone up and dancing. I can still remember the moment the sun went down and the twinkle lights turned on, it felt like magic. After that, you couldn’t pull us off the dance floor! We did take a short break to cut the bride and grooms cake! I had decided to make the groom’s cake myself. After four years of baking, my simple cookies and brownies that I made for friends had evolved into more extravagant cakes that I charged for money. It only seemed fitting that I make his cake considering that’s how I won his heart. It took a lot of preparation and time the week before the wedding but it turned out to be my best cake yet. I even went so far as to make edible sugar beer bottles! I was so happy that I was able to create something so memorable and so perfectly catered to Will for the wedding since it was his day too!

I’m amazed how smooth the day went and how everything just fell into place. We had the best night of our lives and wish we could do it again. I’m so thankful we have beautiful pictures and video to look back on and remember our magical day!

Photography: Luxe Photography | Videography: Ryan Serr | Wedding Coordinator: Austin Wedding Planners by Rosa | Floral Design: Petals, ink. | Wedding Dress: Mayfair Bridal | Cake: Sugar Mama's Bakeshop | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Nordstrom | Catering: Pink Avocado | Makeup: Adore Makeup Salon | Band: Royal Dukes Band | Wedding Venue: The Contemporary Austin

When this gem from Mint Photography landed in my lap, the first thing I did was ‘ooh and aah’ over the gorgeously unexpected color combo. You might think, oh red and blue, it’s been done before. But Posh Events Co. and the entire vendor team turned it into it’s own character. From the velvety red ring box from The Mrs. Box to the incredibly stunning bouquet by Lovely Leaves tied up with dusty blue ribbons, it’s romance at it’s best.

From Karen at Posh Events…Our inspiration for this styled shoot began simply, with colors. The shoot revolved around a dusty blue complimented with cranberry and a touch of greenery. These colors pair perfectly and give off such a romantic and airy feel. Posh Events envisioned a beautiful, yet unique wedding shoot, so we teamed up with some of Texas’ most amazing vendors to bring our inspiration to life.

We chose a venue that radiated both timelessness and elegance in order to contribute to the romantic style that we had envisioned. Chateau Bellevue, a historic mansion located in the heart of Austin, Texas, was perfect, with its French Romanesque arches, a spacious aged courtyard and garden, beautiful ornate carved woodwork, and stunning stained glass windows.

The table setting featured dusty blue linens, classic white napkins, and vintage gold silverware from Marquee. A breathtaking floral table runner was strategically placed and adorned with brass candlesticks. Wondrous Whimsy’s hand painted calligraphy place setting cards were delicately placed on the white china complimented with with sprigs of wax flower. A beautiful antique couch and gold nesting tables were provided by Birch and Brass for a picturesque lounge area.

The stunning organic floral displays that Lovely Leaves created consisted of burgundy peonies and dahlias with a variety of garden roses nestled into silver dollar eucalyptus accented with silver brunia and soft dusty miller.

Our dusty blue and ivory custom cake was three tiers of perfection with its delicate gold details and a touch of floral. We placed it on a glass table top to accentuate the surrounding floral and the lush greenery of the courtyards garden.

The stunning mermaid styled dress embodies refined luxury with its exquisite fabric and delicate lace gradations. Adore Makeup Boutique provided natural, yet beautiful makeup and a classic up do on our model.

Mint Photography portrayed our vision perfectly, with the ability to produce flawless pictures that are both romantically airy and full of light.

This wedding inspiration is perfect for the sophisticated bride, that appreciates both timelessness and the beauty of fine details to create an elegant and romantic setting.

Photography: Mint Photography | Design And Styling: Posh Events | Wedding Gown: Blush Bridal Lounge | Cake: Baked By Amy's | Stationary: Wondrous Whimsy | Makeup: Adore Makeup Salon | Hair: Adore Makeup Salon | Floral: Lovely Leaves | Historic Mansion: Chateau Bellevue | Model: Samantha Cerna | Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Vintage Rentals: Birch And Brass Rentals

Settle in SMPers, because you are about to experience an explosion of prettiness. This fabulous fête planned by Pearl Events is a wonderful combination of stylish and chic, and it’s layered with stunning florals from Posey Events – meaning, we’ve entered a whole new level of gorgeous. The images sitting below from Cory Ryan Photography will surely blow your mind in the best possible way, and you can see just what I’m talking about right here.

From Cory Ryan Photography…Candace and Ben’s Umlauf Sculpture Gardens wedding was blessed with the perfect Austin spring weather! Candace’s megawatt smile just lights up a room, and brings such joy to everyone around her. Since the couple hails from San Francisco, we enjoyed a little extra time for a mini-bridal session with Candace at the W Hotel Austin. Candace has some serious mojo, and onlookers even asked “Is this a model shoot?”. No, that’s just one beautiful bride! The groom Ben got ready with the guys at the Four Seasons Hotel, and saw each other for the very first time as Candace walked down the aisle on her father’s arm. The ceremony area was decorated with peach, gold & white ribbon, which looked especially gorgeous blowing in the breeze behind them. Their intimate ceremony caused many happy tears (and not-so-happy tears from one flower girl who was not enthused about her tulle dress – ha!), and a few laughs of delight as the ring bearers and flower girls ran full-speed down the aisle. ROYAL FIG then whipped out a delicious family style menu on colorfully flowered tabletops by Posey Events, all enjoyed at dusk under string lights by  ILD . The perfectly planned affair ended with sweet toasts and dancing under the stars to the awesome DJ skills of Greenbelt DJ. Big thanks to Pearl Events for planning such a wonderful affair, and big congratulations to Candace and Ben, who now get to celebrate with their friends and family in San Francisco this weekend!

Photography: Cory Ryan Photography | Florals: Posey Floral and Event Design | Cakes: Sugar Mama's Bakeshop | Catering: Royal Fig Catering | Make-up: maris malone calderón | makeup artist | Hair: Blo Blow Dry Bar | Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | DJ: Greenbelt DJ | Ceremony Music: Penny & Sparrow | Ceremony And Reception: UMLAUF Sculpture Garden & Museum | Event Planners: Pearl Events Austin | Guest Accomodations: W Hotel Austin

Do yourself a big ol’ favor this morning and take some serious time to soak in all the prettiness below from Loft Photographie LLC,  Last Petal, Joyful Details and Pearl Austin. Because this kind of gorgeous wedding doesn’t happen everyday. It’s traditional yet personal and absolutely stunning from start to finish, and it’s all waiting for you here.

From Loft Photographie LLC…Heather and Lawrence had an elegant destination wedding in the heart of downtown Austin, Texas. They achieved a classic style with a touch of personal flare for their celebration. They treated their guests to an evening of fine dining and music by one of Austin’s local cover bands, the Spazmatics. A soft color palette, romantic florals, a timeless cathedral and a historic hotel made for a memorable event!

Photography: Loft Photographie LLC | Coordination: Joyful Details | Florist: Last Petal | Wedding Dress: Paloma Blanca | Cake: Michelle’s Patiserie | Stationery: Arzberger Stationers | Ceremony Venue: Saint Mary Cathedral Diocese Of Austin | Reception Venue: Intercontinental Stephen F Austin | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Intercontinental Stephen F Austin | Makeup: maris malone calderón | makeup artist | Hair: Pearl Austin | Hair + Makeup | Band: The Spazmatics | Transportation: Austin Classic Limo | Clutch: BHLDN | Film Lab: PhotoVision Prints | Hair Accessory: J.Crew | Rentals: Monarch Event Rentals

To say I love this Barr Mansion affair would be an understatement to the max. Complete with textured-filled bouquets by Gypsy Floral and blush pink bridesmaids all in a row, there’s no shortage of pretty moments captured from beginning to end. Mint Photography captured the day to perfection, and you can see the full story unfold in the gallery.

From Mint Photography…Laura and Jon had a BEAUTIFUL wedding at Barr Mansion. To start, you can’t go wrong with Barr Mansion – it certainly sets the tone for beauty to ensue! However, with Laura and Jon, and their gorgeous choices in colors and fashion – this one was especially a stunner! The soft sunlight on their fall wedding day highlighted the gorgeous tones, and made the whole day feel as though it were glowing. We are so happy we got to photograph this couple on their beautiful day!

Photography: Mint Photography | Floral Design: Gypsy Floral | Ceremony Venue: Barr Mansion | Hair And Makeup: Adore Makeup Salon | Wedding Dress Shop: Blush Bridal Lounge

While it’s no surprise that gold has a special place in our SMP hearts, it still never, ever fails to excite, and this Austin affair is a perfect example. Designed by the stylish bride herself, this wedding radiates modern glamour and Ashley Bosnick snapped up every shimmery, shiny bit of it. No need for post-holiday reality just yet, so you’ll find me immersed in every gold sparkly moment right this way.

From Ashley Bosnick Photography… This “Modern Golden Glam” wedding could not have been more perfect and fit Marisa + Erick’s personalities better! Marisa designed and planned her entire wedding down to every last detail and knew she wanted it to have a very elegant, yet modern vibe, with a little bit of glam thrown in there too!

The bride’s stunning Matthew Christopher gown added even more romance with the full bottom and fitted bodice. The groom’s fitted Vera Wang attire really helped complete their entire look that screamed modern elegance.

With gorgeous pops of coral, blush, and tangerine tones in the bridesmaids dresses by Donna Morgan and the floral by Pollen Floral Art, this wedding was a colorful, yet very refined and tasteful soiree. The bride make sure to include subtle hints of yellow and rose gold throughout the decor to help add some romantic touches to the day!

Photography: Ashley Bosnick Photography | Floral Design: Pollen Floral Art | Wedding Cake: Coco Paloma Desserts | Ceremony Venue: St. Austin's Catholic Church | Reception Venue: Hotel Ella | Bride's Shoes: Brian Atwood | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Donna Morgan | Makeup Artist: Modern Muse Beauty | Hair Stylist: Happy Salon | Grooms Attire: Vera Wang | Groomsmen's Attire: Calvin Klein | Bridal Photos/Getting Ready: W Hotel Austin | Bridal Salon: Haute Bride | Bridesmaid's Necklaces: Nordstrom | Veil: Haute Bride | Wedding Design + Styling: Marisa Layla Levitre | Wedding Dress Designer: Matthew Christopher

There’s something so warming about a love shining bright on a serene winter day. It’s the reason we’ve come to adore weddings of this cozy season, so very much. And this shoot from Mint Photography, VIVID Events and Swoon Rentals + Design wraps all that seasonal spirit up into one pretty package, where rich reds, black satin ribbons and bow ties and soft cotton touches take center stage. Feast your eyes on more gorgeous right here!

From Jordan with Swoon Rentals + Design…Tucked away amongst the trees lies a hidden cove on Belton Lake where the sunset barely hits the water on a still, winter day. So is the place where an idyllic canoe ride seems fitting for a new groom and his bride, drawing them in for a romantic picturesque love story. Natural, serene winter elegance was our aspiration for this inspiration shoot and we selected deep reds, grey, black velvet and fur with lush greens to portray a sense of winter elegance. Cedar Ridge Park with its breathtaking lakeside sunset view, sweet cabins and tall trees was the ideal backdrop for flawless photos taken by Mint Photography.

We chose a mix of substance and texture throughout the shoot to attain the winter feel: gorgeous white tulle, grey flannel plaid, black velvet ribbon, black mink, earthy wood slices and brass metals. The impeccable attention to detail brought to the table by Lovely Leaves is picture-perfect with red piano roses, red David Austin Darby roses, tulips, red anemones, brunia, winter greenery and soft cotton. From the full red bouquet to the lush green blanket of willow eucalyptus on the mantle, each element embodies beauty. The red antique Evette sofa, fresh grey mantle, inherited barnwood table and cool cane-back chairs are Swoon favorites and fit the style wholly. A reflection of the tall trees and wild elements of Cedar Ridge Park, the stationery suite and menus delivered by Studio W Designs fulfilled our hearts’ desires. For dessert, Lily’s Cakes baked a delicious three-tiered cake with salted caramel buttercream filling thick between the layers topped with romantic red garden roses and exquisite ivy.

Shelbey and Zach are the most darling couple and we are dying in anticipation of their actual engagement. The delicate Allure gown she wore was a beautiful mix of handmade lace and soft, wedding-white tulle provided by Georgio’s Bridal. A black sash was the perfect accent. To keep warm during the cold winter nights, we chose a luxurious black, floor-length mink coat passed down from generations, previously worn to the most grand affairs. It was important that the bride’s natural beauty shine through—Nory from Be.YOU.tiful Salon chose natural, loose curls to pair with our winter floral headpiece. Kimberly Cutler Professional Make-Up used warm, alluring eye make-up perfect for hazel eyes with deep red lips to accentuated already perfect features.

Photography: Mint Photography | Design: Swoon Rentals + Design | Design: VIVID Events | Florals: Lovely Leaves | Wedding Gown: Georgio's Bridal | Cake: Lily's Cakes | Stationery: Studio W Designs | Make-up: Kimberly Cutler | Hair: Be You Tiful Salon | Gown Designer: Allure | Planning: Swoon Rentals + Design | Rentals: Swoon Rentals + Design

When a Camp Lucy soiree lands on my desk, I do a little happy dance. But when it’s from Mint Photography? It’s a get out of your seat and boogie kind of day. And the following affair with it’s sweet something blue shoes, charming florals and stunning portraits is inducing an all out jam in the office. Join me in the gallery!

From Mint Photography…Alisa and Gary’s wedding was on of our favorites by far! It was the perfect mix of elegance and nature combined. Alisa’s dress was a gorgeous Enaura Couture gown with outstanding detailing. Her yellow diamond Tiffany engagement ring was one of the prettiest we’ve seen! The uniqueness of it was exceptional! Gary was just as dapper in his Vera Wang suit and colorful bow tie. To top all of the amazing details off was the loving connection between these two! It was such a joy to photograph this gorgeous wedding and this sweet couple!

Photography: Mint Photography | Gown: Enaura Bridal | Ceremony Venue: Camp Lucy | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Makeup: Designs By Janet Suzanne | Hair: Vera Khatman | Groom's Attire: Vera Wang | Coordinating: Frills Consulting | Floral: Whim Florals | Rentals: Whim Hospitality

I really can’t put my thumb on just exactly what it is about this wedding that makes my heart race. Every time I think I have it figured out, some other romantic detail, a perfect color, a beautiful bloom catches my eye and steals the show. All I know is the gallery from Bella Reese Photography is my new favorite place to be.

From Bella Reese Photography… This wedding was the epitome of romance. From the colors, to the meaning behind their cake topper, to the couple themselves. This bride was on a strict budget but knew exactly what she wanted and found amazing vendors to help her achieve exactly what she wanted, along with the help of her family and friends for some DIY. The Vineyards at Chappel Lodge is absolutely gorgeous, with it’s great vineyard, large pond (frogs included!), abundance of trees and the amazing sunlight. When I first came in and saw everything she had done I quite honestly got butterflies and knew it would be nothing short of amazing. Tiffany (the bride) wanted her wedding to reflect romance and the love for one another and I think she really accomplished that! I couldn’t have asked for a more romantic place to have the honor to shoot at.

Photography: Bella Reese Photography | Photography: Bella Reese Photography | Coordination: Vineyard At Chappel Lodge | Coordination: Vineyard At Chappel Lodge | Floral Design: HEB Blooms | Floral Design: HEB Blooms | Cake: Rocheli Patisserie | Cake: Rocheli Patisserie | Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | Wedding Venue: Vineyard At Chappel Lodge

There’s no denying that the scenery at Villa Del Lago is best paired with a gathering of love, and this stunner from Christina Carroll Photography is all the proof I need. The seriously beautiful Bride in her lace-drenched dress just might have something to do with how gorgeous these captures truly are. See even more in the gallery!

From Christina Carroll Photography…Lauren and Bobby had a glamorous wedding at one of my favorite Austin venues, Villa del Lago. Lauren’s wedding dress might be the most beautiful and unique dress I’ve ever seen. She looked absolutely stunning in it. The couple decided to do a first look and I loved Bobby’s reaction to his beautiful bride. The ceremony site looks over Lake Travis and was a perfect fit for this glamorous affair. After the cocktail hour the guests went to the lawn where there was one long table where everyone sat with chandeliers hanging above. The wedding was personal and creative and I was so happy to be apart of the day!

Photography: Christina Carroll Photography | Event Planner: Rachel Stepanov | Floral Design: Bushel & Peck | Wedding Dress: Inbal Dror | Cake: Polkadots | Stationery: Antiquaria | Reception Venue: Villa Del Lago | Makeup: Laura Martinez | Hair: Zig Zag Salon | Lighting: D & H Stage Lighting | Transportation: Uptown Valet & Transportation

When weddings like this come along, I thank my lucky stars for vendors like Bird Dog Wedding who make planning impossibly chic events look easy. They worked with one darling couple who opted for Southern style on their own terms, and Julie Cate’s camera didn’t miss a beat. Settle into page upon page of pin-able goodness right here.

From The Bride…Ted and I met when we were both working at a bookstore here in Austin. I had just moved back home after college in New York, and Ted had managed to work his way down here from Fargo via Minneapolis. Needless to say, we’re both total nerds and revel in finding that other person who effortlessly “gets” your weirdness.

Everyone says your wedding is your day, all about you. But we both knew that probably the biggest reason we were throwing this party was for our family and friends. So throughout the entire planning process, we tried to keep our wedding party and guests very much in mind.

The venue was perfect. I knew I wanted an outdoor wedding, which in Texas means any time except summer pretty much. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in March is as lovely as it gets. (My “something blue” was a pressed bluebonnet in my shoe.) Somehow, it had rained every weekend in March and then for our wedding it was absolutely gorgeous. We had guests from places as cold as Minneapolis, Massachusetts and even Iceland ready to move down here :)

With my bridesmaids, I wanted them to feel beautiful so I just gave them a color palette, and I was really happy with the result. Ted’s dad runs the men’s clothing store that’s been their family business for about 100 years, so he generously helped out a lot of the groomsmen with their suits.

When I started planning, I made one Pinterest board (naturally), but as I delved deep into the world of wedding blogs, I found I had to create a spinoff board just for all the florals. Flowers, flowers, flowers, all the time. My uncle, an award-winning pastry chef, made the wedding cake, and even though he’s so talented and could do anything, I made him just do white fondant so I could decorate the cake with flowers.

Luckily, I found Bird Dog Weddings. From our first meeting, I knew Emily had the same vision that I did and it was such a relief to just let her and Sarah do their thing and know it would turn out perfect. And they didn’t call me crazy when I gave them a list of flowers I didn’t want to use based on their Victorian meanings, haha (sorry anemones).

And Julie, our photographer, was such a delight. I wasn’t even going to send her a query because she was based in Florida, but I just loved her photography that I had seen online so I figured I might as well just in case. But she was happy to travel to Austin and was so sweet that she just put all of her subjects at ease and made them look wonderful.

When everything came together, it was even better than I had imagined. You can plan and plan and plan, you can attend millions of other weddings, but there’s really no way to prepare for the sheer joy of marrying the person you love.

Photography: Julie Cate Photography | Cake: Bride's Uncle | Catering: Word Of Mouth Catering | Hair: Urban Betty | DJ: Alex K. | Wedding Venue: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | Beer, Wine And Spirits: Austin Wine Merchant | Ceremony And Cocktail Hour Music: Joseph Palmer | Film Lab: Little Film Lab | Getaway Car: Bluebonnet Limo | Rentals: Premiere Events | Wedding Planning, Florals And Design: Bird Dog Wedding

This must have been the most lovely day. Simple yet incredibly sweet, every gorgeous image from J. Bird Photography paints the picture of a simply perfect day. A day filled with so much love you know this couple and their guests will never stop talking about every magical moment, and you can see why here.

From J. Bird Photography…This wedding is probably one of my favorites to date with a precious couple, simple but gorgeous details, and a custom made wedding dress that was designed by the bride herself.

From The Bride…The inspiration behind our wedding came from a focus on things I have always loved and to keep things simple and natural. Our hope was to have a pretty day that centered around the celebration of our marriage and a great party with our friends and family, but no sweat over tons of details! Ryan and I love to be outside so having an outdoor ceremony was a no brainer. My parents backyard has always been a peaceful place to me and I couldn’t imagine anything sweeter than having the ceremony there. It is also located very close to a beautiful field that I spent much of life walking through to get to my favorite pool (Barton Springs) and stopping to enjoy the green and the trees with my sister as we grew up and have now shared it with Ryan. We just love it and that is where we took the pictures after the ceremony. My dad built the alter at our wedding which was so special and my friend Kortni (our florist) covered it with simple greenery and flowers. Potted flowers and herbs are some of my favorite things and I included those throughout the decor as well— and now they adorn our front porch! The reception was located at the Palm Door which I have always admired for it’s blank white wooden walls and wood floors. I already had a bunch of old vases and metal tins that we used for the flowers along with a few we borrowed from friends and family. My florist (Kortni) is a good friend of mine and we had so much fun dreaming up whites and greens and simple arrangements— the kind you might find on your kitchen table after going to the grocery store, nothing too over the top, but still simple and sweet. I love how light and airy the flowers were as well as the tiny greenery Kortni hung from the rafters— so perfect!

As for the dress and grooms attire, we had the same kind of theme. I didn’t want anything too fancy, but I still wanted it to feel wedding-like. Ryan wore a grey suit and his groomsmen wore different combinations of vests, ties, greys, navies, etc. We liked the casual look and it corresponded well with our bridesmaids attire. I told my bridesmaids they could pick whatever color dress they wanted as long as it was a soft color an they all ended up in pale pinks! Which turned out great— they all looked beautiful! I had my dress made by a talented lady here in Austin. I’ve always been the kind of person that has a picture in their head and can’t ever find it in real life, so I told her what I wanted and she executed it beautifully! I had gotten a dress at a garage sale and had fallen in love with the neckline so that’s where we started— the rest was in my head. I also liked the idea of having an off-white but not a ivory off-white so we went with a hint of dove-grey and a white lace bodice.

Exclusively, My Mint Photography and Pecan Springs Ranch weddings never disappoint. But put the two together and voila! It’s pure wedding heaven. Case in point? This ever-romantic sweet pink and coral affair, complete with all the wedding accoutrements we love. Twinkling lights, adorable signage, fresh blooms, bridal portraits in a field of wildflowers and hello ‘something blue’ Kate Spade kicks! And that’s not all—the gallery is brimming with even more.

From My Mint Photography…Sarah and Chris’ southern summer wedding took place at a gorgeous ranch venue in the Texas hill country. We loved the sweet, lighthearted feel of their wedding. We also loved the pop of colors that Sarah incorporated which made it feel extra summery.

Photography: Mint Photography | Coordinator: Carissa Sepeda | Florist: Bricolage Curated Florals | Shoes: Kate Spade | Ceremony/Reception: Pecan Springs Ranch | Photobooth: Trailer Booth Photography

This wedding has it all. A rustic, vintage and yet chic vibe planned by 36th Street Events? Check. Stunning florals from Verbena Floral Design? Check. A gorgeous Bride and a stunning Groom head over heels and love with each other? Check, check, check. Every image sitting pretty in this gallery from Jason + Anna Photography is as pretty as they come, and you can see what I mean here.

From 36th Street Events…‘Rustic vintage Texas’ were the words that this San Francisco couple described upon first meeting with 36th Street. Most importantly, what I saw from that first meeting was the love they had for each other and everyone that surrounded them. Their love showed through with every aspect of their day from the wedding ceremony by a close friend to the donations given to a local San Francisco animal shelter. We spent almost a year planning this gorgeous, clean and elegant wedding. On their wedding day, guests were surround by the beauty of the Wildflower Center adorned with clean crisp white linens, wooden tables, an abundance of candles and a touch of rain. One thing about Austin, Texas is you can never predict the weather, but the tents made the space that much more elegant. Even with a the afternoon showers, Meagan and Carl knew the most important part of the day was that they got to marry each other, and you can see it in the pictures. Jason and Anna did such an amazing job capturing their love and the fun that they had on their wedding night.

Photography: Jason + Anna Photography | Videography: Vinyl Weddings | Wedding Coordination: 36th Street Events | Florist: Verbena Floral Design | Cake: Blue Note Bakery | Catering: Crave Catering | Makeup: Makeup by Adrienne | Hair: Friend Of The Couple | Lighting: Ilios | Band: Suede | Officiant: Friend Of The Couple | Ceremony Music: Friend Of The Couple | Venue: Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center | Lounge: Loot Vintage Rentals | Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals | Tents: Premiere Events

I always come back to a simple black and white color palette. It’s a go-to that stands the test of time whether we’re talking about home decor, fashion or wedding design. And this inspiration shoot is total proof. It’s classic elegance crafted by Clayton Austin and Taylor Lord along with green filled florals by Without Wax Katy, that prove black and white are here to stay.

That gorgeous engagement session inspiration can only be outdone by the wedding shoot that followed suit. Have a look at the handiwork of all these great talents who brought our favorite black and white color combo to life.

From Love Is A Bird Photography…When Taylor Lord and I decided to host a small intimate workshop in our hometown of Austin, Texas we knew we would want to style the shoots to perfection. With a modern classic vibe in mind we focused on shades of blacks, whites, and grays while pulling in the greens from the beautiful ivy covered walls and concrete architecture of South Congress Street. The idea was that for the engagement session the groom would wear varying shades of black while she wore white and then switching it up for the wedding day shoot with her in an amazing black gown from Free People and him in a crisp white Vera Wang tuxedo jacket and a black velvet bow tie. Taylor made the concrete candle pillars in different sizes and heights giving the table a sense of dimension while Katy from Without Wax Katy did an incredible job with the green table runner, bouquet, and boutonnieres. I made the cake finishing it with stark black butter cream icing. Finally we tied everything together using black velvet ribbon throughout the shoot.

From Without Wax Katy…It’s in letting the stunning landscape do all the talking, with a few well-edited nods of color and style infused along the way that makes everything come together flawlessly. The 12 foot runner is ripe with layers of eucalyptus foliage, texture and organic goodness. It seamlessly blends in with the beauty of the natural surroundings with the coordination of modern details set in the middle of this Austin oasis. Focusing on a simple and clean color palette of white, green, black and gray, the bouquet of soft peonies, ranunculus and anemones contrasted in all the right ways with the black wedding gown. From the extraordinary play on black and white to the floral details on the cake and in bride’s hair, this styled workshop is a sure fire way to find to find yourself lost in its beauty for hours on end.

Photography: Clayton Austin | Design And Styling: Clayton Austin | Styling And Design: Taylor Lord Photography | Floral Design: Without Wax Katy | Cake: Clayton Austin | Stationary: Olive Juice Stationary | Shoes: Manolo Blahnik | Hair And Makeup: Mayhem Beauty | Venue: South Congress St | Black Dress: Free People | Concrete Candle Pillars: Taylor Lord Photography | Groom's Tux: Vera Wang

If you’re planning a wedding from a distance — like, say, China — it helps to have Westcott Weddings and an all-star team of vendors (like Verbena Floral Design and Southern Fried Paper) on your side to take care of details and calm your nerves. As you can see in Caroline Joy’s pictures from the day, the event went off without a hitch. Make sure to check out Stringer Productions‘ video at the end for more prettiness.

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From the Bride… Yes, I am one of those women that has dreamt about her wedding ever since she was a little girl. When my husband and I met in Austin in the summer of 2012, it was like a thunderbolt. Already living and working in China, he was only in town for two days before he had to fly to New York. But that was long enough for us to have an amazing first date, followed by a whirlwind courtship with our second date in New York, our third date in Bruges, and our fourth date in Beijing. He met my family for the first time at Thanksgiving and proposed at Christmas, and I packed up my life in Austin to move to China to start our life together.

Then it was onto planning my dream wedding! I was in China (with a 14-hour time difference!), but luckily I had a wonderful, rock star wedding crew in Texas. We spent days and nights planning the wedding, and I attended site visits with my mom and crew whenever I could come back through Austin. I was meticulous and extremely detail-oriented about what I wanted, and they got me and my vision. They were my dream team.

My advice to future brides is this: Choose vendors that are calm, meticulous, and easy going, because you might change your mind – A LOT – especially if you’ve been planning your wedding since you were six (but do yellow satin princess bridesmaid dresses ever really go out of fashion?), and most importantly, choose people who will be overjoyed about your big day and also a comfort to be be around. Everyone I chose fit every one of those conditions, which calmed my nerves and allowed me to focus not on details but on our marriage and the beginning of our new life together.

People had always advised me to remember your vows, and remember your wedding, because it goes by in a flash! I focused on doing just that: Capturing and remembering every moment with my bridesmaids and house party, time spent with my family, and most importantly, the time spent with my new husband. I knew I could rely on my wedding planner and my photographers to focus on everything else and capture the memories for a lifetime, giving me the freedom to focus completely on the moment.

From the chandeliers above to the delicious stations to all the little travel ideas we had to the INCREDIBLE band to the 600 votives we had on long tables, my wedding was the best day of my life surrounded by my favorite people in the world and the man I am going to be with for the rest of my life.

From Westcott Weddings… Amanda and Drew were married on one of the coldest, windiest days Austin has seen in a long time, but you would have never known it. Our incredible vendor team pulled together the week before the wedding to enact the rain plan (hi, gorgeous draping!), and everything turned out beautifully. The tent was warm, cozy and filled with so much love and happiness!

Amanda had envisioned an elegant, fun party, so we worked with Verbena to fill long tables with hundreds of twinkling candles and big puffy white hydrangea, her favorite bloom. As a nod to Amanda + Drew’s love for travel, Word of Mouth created food stations filled with favorites from home + afar: Green chili-cheddar grits, spring rolls, empanadas, pie and Blue Bell ice cream. Southern Fried Paper designed post cards that doubled as table numbers–each one was named after a place Amanda + Drew had lived together or would visit on their honeymoon. Memphis Train Revue kept everyone dancing until the very end of the night, and then Amanda+ Drew departed for Antarctica (!) amid cheers and sparklers. Their joy was infectious!

Photography: Caroline Joy Photography | Videography: Stringer Productions | Floral Design: Verbena Floral Design | Wedding Dress: Pronuptia | Bride's Shoes: Kate Spade | Bridesmaids Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Catering: Word Of Mouth Catering | Makeup: Avery Allen Makeup | Hair: Danann Patrick | Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design | Band: Memphis Train Revue | Ceremony Music: Terra Vista Strings | Transportation: R&R Transportation | Bride + Groom Transportation: Classic Rides Limo | Bride Getting Ready Hotel: Hotel Saint Cecilia | Ceremony + Reception Venue: One World Theatre | Event Design + Coordination: Westcott Weddings | Groom Getting Ready Hotel: Hotel San Jose | Invitations, Programs, Escort Cards + Menus: Southern Fried Paper | Late Night Food Truck: Mellizoz Tacos | Photo Booth: Silvercloud Trailer Events | Tent Draping + Rentals: Marquee Event Rentals | Vintage Frames: Loot Vintage Rentals