Texas Weddings

We are down right smitten with today’s Texas wedding and we have a feeling you’re about to join us. The first thing that caught our adoring eyes was those big, beautiful blooms by Maggie Gillespie Designs as well as all the gorgeous styling perfect for an al fresco affair. And the detail that made us fall head over heels for this Texas soirée? That would be every single stunning image photographed by Jennifer Lindberg Weddings. Pure perfection. Total works of art. And all resting in a little happy place called the gallery. See it all here!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…I wanted to mix styles to give my wedding a unique feel, something the guests would not have seen a hundred times before.  I wanted to mix contemporary with classic.  I wanted to bring in elements of nature because of the setting.  I feel in love with a few key pieces of the decor and then tied it all together.  I did not want to have a color scheme exactly and pick 2 colors or a color.  The bridesmaids wore a beautiful grass-green color, and the flowers had shades of green, coral, orange, and pink.  I felt that not having a color scheme you could lay your hands on was a good thing.  I thought it was too limiting to pick two colors and say, this is my color scheme and stick with it.  I fell in love with this beautiful ikat fabric that I ordered from Usbekistan, the symbolism of the fabric in the culture it originates from is the melding of two into one which made me love this fabric even more.  The colors were great on top of the grass-green fabric we chose for the tablecloth, so we used it as a table runner.  We also used it as an accent on the bar that was created, but put a coral fabric behind it for that for something different for the bar area.

I loved the idea of lounge furniture for my wedding, but I found most of the options open to me to rent to be not in keeping with the look we were going for.  I wanted something not Las Vegas, but something that would feel like home, like you were in a huge living room.  I found the white slip-covered sofas and chaises at IKEA and purchased them and then resold them after the wedding.  We placed them all around the dance floor.  People loved it, and all the seats were enjoyed.  I found the coral fabrics for the pillows at a local fabric store and had them made.  This pop of color on the stark white sofas was hip and modern for the dance floor tent area.  I wanted the party to flow from the look of the church being unique and taking advantage of its charm to the look of the cocktail area being outdoors under the trees by the pond, to the look of the dining tent, and then to the look of the dance tent.  I wanted the looks to come together but to be distinctive because each part of this night was distinctive. I wanted the look for the reception to take advantage of the beautiful environment that my dad created at the ranch.  I wanted it to feel like Father of the Bride meets 2010, outdoors at a country estate.

The first dance was very special, I have been a dancer all my life and Steven and I have taken ballroom lessons on and off over the years for fun date night activity.  We found our favorite dance teacher of all time to help us prepare for the most special dance of our lives, and it was amazing.  Steven did such a wonderful job learning the dance.  We danced to That’s How Strong my Love Is by Ottis Redding. My dad and I danced to What a Wonderful World, and he took a couple of lessons with me as well to practice.  Another highlight of the night was the fireworks, my mom and dad worked with the person to perfect the fireworks and had him shooting off fireworks five times in the two weeks before the wedding to get it just right and I put together a collection of special songs for the fireworks show, the songs were When you Wish Upon a Star, Main Title from Father of the Bride Soundtrack, A Dream is a Wish your Heart Makes, and Brown Eyed Girl.

Ceremony Location: St. Mary’s (Grandfather was very involved in building the chapel) / Reception Location: Yensid Ranch / Florist + Event Design: Maggie Gillespie Designs / Caterer: Pappasito’s / Wedding Cakes: Sophie’s Choice / DJ: Josh Wilkerson of Penguin Entertainment / Tent + Rentals: Premiere and Events / Ceremony Music: Hill Country Strings / Make-up: Kiss ‘n Make-up / Wedding Photography: Jennifer Lindberg Weddings

Heather Ann Design & Photography sent this beauty our way and it is has our swoon seal of approval for best lineup of cowboy boots. Mixed with a gorgeous lace dress, now that is a combo worthy of swooning and the Texas style celebration that followed suit is equally as stunning. Not to mention the lovely florals at every turn courtesy of Last Petal. So sit back, kick up your boots and dig into this Fredericksburg affair in the full wedding gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From Heather Ann Design & Photography…This quaint Texas wedding was every photographer’s dream come true. All the details and romantic touches seemed to come straight from a J.Crew or Anthropologie ad campaign. The wedding was so classic, so charming, and so quaint. The union took place at the Hoffman Haus in Fredericksburg, Texas & was a complete success. Wedding coordinator Luis Carmona was exceptional and made sure each superfluous detail was executed properly. My second shooter Amy-Rose King, of Amy-Rose King Photography, shot along side me at this wedding and contributed some phenomenal images. The flowers were provided by Last Petal out of Austin, Texas and provided  fresh, soft and elegant touches to the vintage backdrop. The wedding was the absolute picture of romance set alongside a true Texas treasure, The Hoffman Haus.

Wedding Photography: Heather Ann Design & Photography / Floral Design: Last Petal / Event Design: The Bride / Event Planning: Luis Carmona / Location: Hoffman Haus / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

For as long as I have been in love with all things wedding, I have been in love with all things floral.  And, let’s face it, that’s a long time.  There is just something so very wonderful about some pretty, pretty blooms.  I like to fill my house with them, use images of them as screen savers and gaze at them longingly here on Style Me Pretty.  And so it’s a no brainer that I would be head over heels for Sprout, the ah.ma.zing boutique floral studio located in downtown Fredericksburg.  Time and time again, I find myself picking my jaw right up off the floor when I get a peak at some of the gorgeous that Sprout is creating.  (And I may or may not save certain images of Sprout bouquets in a folder I call “My Wedding.”)  Needless to say, I was just a tad bit excited to do a little Q&A with Sprout’s sweet-as-can-be owner, Michelle.  And I was right.  She’s awesome.

What do you do, how long have you been doing it and what makes you awesome?

I have had Sprout, a flower and gift shop in Fredericksburg, Texas, since 2008.  The first week we were open, I received a call asking us to do the flowers for a wedding.  Since that time, providing florals for weddings and events has become a very important and vibrant part of the business.  The word “awesome” makes me a bit nervous, but I think I have been fortunate enough to stumble upon a niche market in our community – catering to couples looking to have a unique destination wedding in the Texas Hill Country.  We design florals for stylized boutique weddings, taking our lead from the style of the bride and groom, as well as the flowers currently in season.  I like to incorporate as many natural elements as possible, as well as unique vintage vessels.  Flea markets have become a great source of finding the perfect containers to incorporate in the design and we are constantly adding to our collection.

What sets Texas weddings apart from weddings anywhere else?

Cowboy boots with wedding dresses for one.  While not unique to Texas, I would say the term “rustic charm” sums up many a Texas wedding.  Often it is the mixing of rough elements like rusted metal, worn wood, deer antlers or limestone with the romantic softness of peonies, hydrangeas and garden roses.  Succulents are often another key ingredient.

What kind of weddings do you love most and what is your favorite trend right now?

I love it when the bride and groom bring their own personality, heritage and interests into the mix.  As to current trends, I’m enthralled by the more natural styled arranging that allows flowers to be seen more as they would appear in nature or in a garden.  Ariella Chezar is the queen of this in America at the moment with many other shining stars appearing all the time.  I also love the use of tablescapes – creating collages of florals and other items, often vintage, especially ones that resonate with the personalities of the bride and groom.

What is your biggest piece of advice for people planning a wedding?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Choose your vendors well, communicate your style clearly and thoroughly and then let them deal with the details. Our job is to please you. With that in mind, I find that I am much more able to be creative when given a bit of leeway.

Who are your favorite vendor friends in Texas that keep the inspiration flowing?

I’m always amazed with the photography of Suzi Q from QWeddings.  I often start the day checking in on her “photo of the day” from her blog.  It inspires me to find beauty in unusual places and to look at things more carefully.  Svetlana Frolova of Svetlana Photography is another favorite as her images are so often simply breathtaking.  Elizabeth Harris is an event planner with a vast amount of experience and creativity.  She builds a rapport with her clients and is a great collaborator.  As for wedding cakes, Sophie’s Choice Bakery creates the most beautiful designs and they taste great, as well.  And I’m really excited about a new kid on the block here in Fredericksburg, Sisters Vintage Party.  They have a growing collection of vintage dishes and accessories available for rent.

Oh, and it gets better.  Michelle was gracious enough to share some floral tips for your big day.  I told you she was awesome.  So, without further ado, Sprout’s Top 5 Floral Tips!

Top 5 Floral Tips From Sprout

1. Define your style. Pinterest is a great way to pull together photographs of things you love.

2. Choose flowers that are in season. A flower not at the height of its season can be disappointing, while there is nothing quite like the robustness of a flower at its peak. That said, if there is a particular flower that you really have your heart set on, communicate that to your florist—sometimes we are able to get our hands on that special flower and add it in.

3. Do a walk-through. If possible, walk through the venue with your florist so you can see areas that may need a bit of embellishment.

4. When planning your decor, take into consideration the time of day and possible exposure to the elements. You don’t necessarily need candles if your ceremony takes place in daylight. Just as you may want to consider weighted vessels as opposed to small bud vases if there is a chance of wind.

5. Consider ahead of time what you will do with the flowers after the reception. Our local hospice program is happy to get leftover flowers and distribute them to their patients.

So, that concludes our Sprout tour of pretty for the day!  It’s been an honor, Michelle.  Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse in to your beautiful world!

Floral Design: Sprout / Photography: Jen Huang Photography + Alina Prax of La Dolce Vita Photography + Crystal Littrell of Littrell Photography + Suzi Q Varin of Q Weddings + Stacy Sodolak of SMS Photography + Sveltlana Frolova of Svetlana Photography + Kristin Radicke Light of Urth Studio / Film Work: Richard Photo

Ever wonder what it looks like when an SMP girl gets married? Well, you’re in luck today because Shawna the bride is part of our SMP family and nothing sends us into wedding ga-ga land like one of our very own tying the knot! This wedding is SMP personified and each and every element has us swooning over our keyboards this morning. Shawna rounded up a dream team of vendors including Anne Marie Photography, Unexpected Elements, The Left Handed Calligrapher, Blue Sky Papers, CarteWheels Catering, and Marquee Event Group, just to name a few. I’m having a hard time picking my favorite parts out of this one, but I must say, that Bellini bar looks quite delicious! See that and soooo much more in the full gallery!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Matt and I met, fell in love and started our life together in Dallas, Texas. After a little over 3 years together he proposed on Valentine’s day while we were vacationing in Malibu. After brunch, while down on the beach under the Malibu Pier, he proposed with a mood ring. It couldn’t have been any more perfect and we will cherish that moment forever. Before the proposal, we had the most wonderful romantic getaway in the charming town of Fredericksburg,TX and knew that’s where we wanted to marry some day. Fredericksburg is a great reflection of Texas and represents the hospitality that we know and love about this state. We knew our friends and family would have no problem making a trip there for a fun and relaxing weekend together.

Style Me Pretty was of course the main inspiration for my ideas! I know exactly what happens to everyone on here, you get hooked and you can’t even look elsewhere. SMP really gave me the courage to make decisions throughout the whole process. In the beginning I thought that nailing down a scheme would be a lot more difficult than it actually was, but I just selected things that went with the vibe of the town. Fredericksburg is known for its peaches, antique shopping and regional beer and wine so I really wanted to play that up in the decor and menu. A mix of luxury and good DIY was the goal. My background is in interior design so I’m really drawn to the idea of having more than one color and incorporating soft, rich layered tones of texture. The Hoffman Haus made for an easy backdrop for my dreamy vintage ideas.

Originally I thought I wanted an all-over lace dress and had that on my mind for a while. When the styles just didn’t work out for me I went with a pleated dress, but was still kinda sad about not having lace. My event designer focused on that wish and created a lace aisle runner and curtain backdrop for the ceremony. It was the perfect way to achieve the lace look I originally wanted, but with a twist! I was able to have more lace than just wearing it.

My proposal mood ring was my “something blue” and we used a magnolia shrub for our planting ceremony. Our first dance song was “Grow Old with Me” by John Lennon. The doilies, hankies and brooches were from my grandmother. The panic happened two hours before the wedding when we realized my traditional veil was left in Dallas! Plan B – I rushed to the fabric store for tulle and then a last-minute glamorous headpiece was created by my hairstylist! Thankfully I had thought ahead and purchased an Etsy hair fascinator to wear at some point that night, it really completed the look and just worked better with the dress. Forgetting the veil was the best mistake EVER and I even ended up wearing it to our farewell breakfast the next morning!

I can’t thank my amazing vendors enough for making our dream wedding come to life and I’m so glad I planned ahead and chose each one of them, we’ve never felt so pampered. My favorite part of my wedding (aside from marrying Matt of course!) was that I was able to incorporate everything I wanted and be with everyone that I love; it was truly a dreamy vintage garden wedding.

Wedding Photography: Anne Marie Photography / Ceremony + Reception Location: Hoffman Haus / Floral, Event Design + Planning: Unexpected Elements / Invitations: Bella Figura / Calligraphy, Signage + Save the Date: The Left Handed Calligrapher / Catering + Ice Cream: CarteWheels Catering / Linens: Marquee Event Group / Guest Sign-In Book: Blue Sky Papers / Cake + Cake Base: Sophie’s Choice Bakery / Music: Altared Weddings / Hair + Make-up: Lucie Marie / Ceremony Music: Theresa Britt / Officiant: Rev. Janice R. McGrath / Chair Rental: Class A / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka via Nordstrom / Wedding Gown: Bridal Designs Southlake / Bride’s Sash: Mother of the Groom with Grandma’s brooches / Cake Table: DIY Doilies from Grandmother / Bride’s Hair Piece + Garter Set: Bella Sorella Couture / Earrings: Nadri via Nordstrom / Veil: Custom Creation by Lucie Marie, Tulle from Things in a Room / Groom’s Suit: Ralph Lauren via Dillards / Groomsmen Suit: Joseph A. Bank / Bridesmaid Dresses: Anthropologie, Macy’s, J.Crew, H&M / Bridesmaid Shoes: Dillards, Macy’s, DSW / MOB Dresses: Macy’s / Giant Jenga Game: Father of the Bride / Groomsmen Gifts: Growlers from Fredericksburg Brewery / Card Holder: Plant Terrarium via Hobby Lobby / Guest Gift Baskets: Hobby Lobby / Guest Gift Basket Linen: Ikea / Guest Gift Basket Popcorn: Mom and Popcorn / Guest Gift Basket Tea: Teas of Texas / CD + Cover: DIY / Oval Table Name Holders: Hobby Lobby / Champagne Toasting Flutes: Z Gallerie / Wedding Cake Server: Pottery Barn / Guest Book Pen: Swarovski / Groom’s Cufflinks: James Avery / Cigars: Addison Cigar Club / Ceremony Plant + Pot: Central Market + Joann / Matchbooks and Decor : Event Styling by Shawna Marie 

Texas Hill Country is fast becoming one of my favorite places ever, even though I’ve never actually visited.  But, with weddings like this one, how can it not be everything I’ve dreamt it to be?  Captured by the ah-mazing CMI Photography, these gorgeous nuptials are rustic chic perfection.  Not a one single detail was overlooked… And I guarantee that you’ll be as smitten as me once you see what’s in store. A vintage typewriter, burlap-wrapped bouquets, lawn games and oak trees… Yes, I could literally spend all day explaining my love for this wedding.  It sounds like a good plan to me!  So, join me in the gallery for even more Hill Country goodness!

Click here to see the entire gallery of images!

From the Bride…Weddings were not a new concept to me. I spent five years overseas in Prague, Czech Republic as a wedding planner and was fortunate enough to help the dreams come true of countless brides.  I was always the planner, never the bride, until one day after moving back to Austin, Texas I completely unexpectedly met my Mason on a Delta flight from Atlanta to Austin.  One year later he asked me to marry him, and on April 29, 2011 we celebrated our very own “un”royal wedding!  I must admit it was fun getting the countdown on TV everyday to our wedding, and very special the morning of to watch the royal wedding as we prepared for our own special day!

We knew right away we wanted a very sweet, romantic, and casual wedding – just like the two of us and our courtship and relationship.  We tokened our theme as a ‘casual, cute, country wedding’ and knew immediately we wanted to host it Becker Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country.  We love their wines, the atmosphere of the winery and had spent our first vacation there together in 2009.

We had a defined budget so many of the items that we could do ourselves, we did.  The biggest DIY project was the flowers. My maid of honor’s mother ordered all the flowers wholesale and somehow loaded them in her car and created the most gorgeous centerpieces and bouquets!  We were able to save loads of money here, but it was quite time consuming and not an easy task for her and all of my girlfriends who helped, but I sure did appreciate it.  My aunt even brought down a very special flower to my family – the lily of the valley – from my grandfather’s garden in Delaware who passed away in 2009 to incorporate into my bouquet. It was very sentimental and I believe a little gift from my Pop Pop to me!  We also wrapped the base of my bridal bouquet with lace from my mother’s wedding veil which was just another extra special touch.

My mom is an artist and her and my father together did all the signs – they turned out adorable.  I loved the idea of all the distance locations and it was a big hit with the guests.  My mom also shabby chic’ed all the chalkboards that I had bought from Hobby Lobby.  She simply painted and distressed them to give them that country feel, which was a small task that made a big difference I think.

For the centerpieces I knew I simply wanted ‘messy spring flowers’ in different bottles. I spent the months prior to the wedding picking up old vintage looking bottles and cases at discount stores and garage sales.  I also bought some hard back vintage style books at Goodwill for some extra depth to add to the centerpieces.   My maid of honor is as crafty as they get and created all the hanging signs with fabrics and hemp as well as hand wrote all the pie labels. (Which were a delicious touch to our country wedding!)

Wedding Photography: CMI Photography / Florals: DIY by Friend of the Bride / Ceremony + Reception Location: Becker Vineyards / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Wedding Dress: Moonlight via Blush Bridal / Bride’s Hair + Make-Up: Kelli Toal of Keeping Austin Gorgeous / Bridesmaid Dresses: David’s Bridal / Groomsmen Attires: JoS A Bank / Photobooth: Booth66 / Catering: Cartewheels / DJ: Complete Music / Band: Trio Old Country Band (Jerry Hagin, Howard Raines, Ethan Azarian) / Pies: Fredericksburg Pie Company / Wood Initials: The Back Porch Shoppe

Some people are just extremely lucky to have a perfect backyard wedding house in the family.  Well, this lovely couple definitely falls into that category. The bride’s parent’s home (turned stunning Texas Hill Country reception for the evening) could not be more perfect for this country chic celebration. On top of the venue, I am just loving the floral design by Sprout – the bridesmaid bouquets are just understated perfection. So go ahead and settle in with all the images from Urth Studio Photography in the full gallery of images – you know you want to!

Click here to see the entire image gallery!

When Ginny Estes and Randy Cadawaller got engaged they knew they wanted to get married in the Texas Hill Country and began looking at venues. When all was said and done, there was no place they loved as much as Ginny’s father and stepmother’s home at Settlers Crossing in Fredericksburg. They turned to Elizabeth Harris to bring their vision to life. The decision was made to have the ceremony at the charming and historic St. Barnabas Episcopal Church with the reception being a tented affair on the lawn of the main house at Settlers Crossing. The focus was on combining elegance with rustic elements in keeping with the setting’s refined country charm.  Ginny’s step-mother, Melissa, an interior designer, began collecting antique baskets and large wooden pieces that would later be incorporated as serving platters on the food stations set on farm tables throughout the lawn, so that they would have a homespun “bountiful feast” look to them. San Antonio designer, Besty Mortimer of Bye George, worked with Ginny on custom Save the Dates and invitations. The stage was set for a beautiful Texas Hill Country event.

Each member of the family had something to contribute to the the food stations.  The bride’s father, David, had one request, “He wanted beef tenderloin and he wanted it rare!”  Ginny, a notorious finicky eater, had her own “Ginny’s Comfort Food” station that was a nod to her mother Jamie’s Mississippi roots and served chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, crab cakes and other down home southern fare.  Delicious Details catering rounded out the food with a made-to-order pasta bar and a variety of salads.

Kristin Radicke Light of Urth Studio Photography captured the evening while Austin’s Ilios Lighting turned a beautiful setting into a truly stunning one.  After guests parked in a large field near the entrance they walked across a limestone bridge washed with golden lights and were met with trays of champagne and the music of a brass band.  The huge tent backed up to a creek bed that was lined with festoon lights while each of the tree groves along the creek was uplit with warm amber tones.  The limestone and stucco walls of the house were also washed in a golden hue. David and Melissa commented: “The only thing we really had  trouble envisioning was the lighting. We just trusted Elizabeth on that one. It wasn’t dark when we left for the church so driving up to the house after the ceremony we were awestruck. It looked like a fairytale land. We kept saying we couldn’t believe this was our house!”

Inside the tent, strings of festoons and warm colors washed the entire interior.  Heavy gold table cloths with a paisley inlay were topped with chocolate brown taffeta and jute overlays.  Sprout adorned half of the tables with giant glass cylinders filled with manzanita branches and fall leaves chock full of fall colored hydrangeas. Tealights hung from the branches of the arrangements and added to the warm glow of the tent. The other half of the tables had large pillar candle clusters wrapped with grapevine and bittersweet and more hydrangeas.  “Michelle of Sprout did a fantastic job taking the idea that we wanted tall arrangements with a bit of a wow factor but not in a ‘country club’ way.  We kept saying that we wanted them to look “messy” rather than stylized and she delivered just that,” said Harris.  Large fire bowls surrounded by wooden rocking chairs situated next to the Cuban Cigar Bar provided another vignette for the guests to relax and enjoy.  Situated near the oversized barn wood bar, a coffee and hot chocolate  station was stocked with various liqueurs in antique crystal decanters.  This added touch proved to be very popular with guests looking to take the chill off the fall evening.

“One of my favorite moments was at the end of the evening, after everyone had departed. The bride’s dog, who had been roaming the reception wearing a lace collar made by Ginny’s grandmother, put her front two paws up on the cake table and snagged one of the remaining cupcakes.  She was part of the celebration and wanted to have her cake too”.

At the end of the evening the bride and groom drove off in a vintage pickup truck amid a show of sparklers and after the last bus pulled away, the entire family went and sat in the tent, feet propped up amid all the beautiful lights, candles and flowers.  “We just didn’t want it to end.  Truly, it was magical. It was everything we dreamed it would be and so much more”.

Wedding Photography: Kristin Radicke Light of Urth Studio Photography / Flowers: Sprout / Event Design: Elizabeth Harris Event Design / Wedding Ceremony Location: St. Barnabas Episcopal Church / Wedding Reception Location: Settlers Crossing / Wedding Invitations: Betsy Mortimer of Bye George / Caterer: Delicious Details / Lighting: Ilios Lighting / Tent & Event Rentals: Illusions Rentals & Decor / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bridesmaid Dresses: J.Crew / Bride’s Cowboy Boots: Custom

This morning, San Antonio was our focus. But just a hop, skip and a jump to the north(west) is the charming old-world town of Fredericksburg. An art and antique lovers dream come true! Maggie Gillespie sent us these beautiful shots by Jennifer Lindberg Weddings from one of their recent weddings at the Trois Estate …

from Maggie Gillespie … I loved doing this vibrant June wedding in the Texas Hill Country overlooking Enchanted Rock for this beautiful young couple. He was signed as a ballplayer for the University of Texas, so we had the bride’s favorite flower blooming in a riot of burnt orange and red red rose…. and the groom’s cake made in the shape of a catcher’s mitt. Trois Estate supplied their delicious food and eclectic taste, expansive views and attentive service. I had the gorgeous antique goddess doorway came abloom for the ceremony with hundreds of American Beauty roses…even more lovely as the evening deepened and the lights came up, fragrancing the courtyard… a wonderful setting for the wedding service at dusk! The staff changed out the church pews for dance floor and additional dining space while the guests had cocktails on the upper deck with breathtaking views of Enchanted Rock at sunset painting the sky. The bride loved peonies, reds (and of course burnt orange!) so I had big red Chilean peonies and orange makara orchids flown in for the bouquets. Iron lanterns hung in the courtyard’s oak tree and also were filled with flowers on guest tables. A great band played upstairs over the open courtyard to the dancers below with long tables set for dinner upstairs, lit with more large lanterns, aglow in candlelight and flowers, toasts and laughter. We had a cigar roller (with personalized cigar bands,) wonderful walks and carriage rides through the artisan village of Trois Estate and incredibly long sparklers from Nuevo Laredo to light up the night at their exit. We had shuttle busses take the wedding guests back to their hotels and b & b’s in nearby Fredericksburg while the clear night’s stars and full moon continued the enchanted evening’s glow.

Maggie Gillespie Designs, Fredericksburg, Texas / Jennifer Lindberg Weddings / Venue ~Trois Estates at Enchanted Rock, Texas / Cake ~ Sophie’s Choice Bakery, Fredericksburg, Texas

See more of Maggie’s weddings on her blog: Becker Vineyard Fall Wedding, Hindu Wedding ~ Texas Style, Kerrville ~ Eastern Influence

Jennifer Lindberg Weddings was recently featured in Style Me Pretty’s Best of 2010 Weddings: “Where Chic Style and Laid Back Elegance Become A Match Made In Heaven!”.  Also see it in SMP’s E-GLOSSY, page 52.

Ahhhhh…. although Fredericksburg is about 90 miles northwest of San Antonio, it still almost feels like “home” to me. It is a charming community, rich in pioneer Texas history and many of the original dwellings have been restored to their traditional German architecture. It’s the kind of place where the hustle and bustle can be left far behind and big deep breaths are the order of the day. And so it comes as no surprise that Anne & J.B. would choose Fredericksburg for their destination wedding!

Stella and Leon Alesi have shared this delightful wedding with us! See more of the day in the gallery.

Anne and JB held their destination wedding in the quaint German settled town of Fredericksburg, Texas. An hour and 15 minute drive from Austin we passed many peach farms and fields of wildflowers on our way there. The ceremony and reception both took place at the Hoffman Haus. The Hoffman Haus is nestled in one of the quiet charming neighborhoods surrounding the Main Street shops and restaurants of Fredericksburg. Ivy covered walls, picket fences, beautiful log cabin construction, a variety of courtyard spaces and a large reception hall make it a unique and interesting place to hold a wedding. What I will always remember about this wedding was the large wedding party, 30 bridesmaids and groomsmen, not to mention the flower girl, ushers and house party. They were fun and at times outrageous, and kept the party hopping. The details of the wedding were beautiful, fan styled programs, personalized beer cozy’s, iced tea and lemonade stand, and a bride in cowboy boots!

On our way back to Austin, we couldn’t resist stopping along the way to photograph some of the peach stands and the landscape …

from Anne ~ J.B. and I met through mutual friends in 2004 when I moved to Houston, but it wasn’t until we drove 13 ½ hours to Dallas, evacuating from Hurricane Rita in 2005 that we started dating. From the beginning of our engagement, we knew that we wanted a wedding in Fredericksburg. The town is just so charming and it really encompassed everything I envisioned. Rustic elegance was the inspiration and it quickly came to life when my mom and I walked into Hoffman Haus on our first planning trip. In keeping with the innate beauty of Hoffman Haus, I decided to stick with a natural color palette of whites, creams, taupes and browns. One really neat thing about having our wedding at Hoffman Haus, is that it’s a bed & breakfast as well as a venue. Along with J.B and me, almost our entire wedding party got to stay there the whole weekend.

Stella Alesi, our fabulous photographer, could not get over our giant wedding party. J.B. and I are both very fortunate to have the most amazing friends! So we decided to highlight our bridesmaids and groomsmen with the only pops of color in the wedding – navy and hot pink. Last minute, my amazing florist, Johnathan Sage, added the bright rose clusters in the tree above where we got married, which became one of my favorite details. The garden at Hoffman Haus is so beautiful and our plan was always to get married outside, even in the Texas summer heat.

The ceremony was short, but so wonderful. We found little ways to make the heat more bearable. Upon arrival, each guest received a program that doubled as a 5 panel fan, and everyone was offered lemonade or Firefly spiked iced tea as they entered. From the get go, J.B. and I both wanted the same things – we wanted subtle touches that reflected our personalities, everyone to feel completely at home and relaxed, and the reception to be a total blast!

Our band, The Heat, was awesome! They did such a great job of appealing to all ages with old and new hits. Even J.B.’s 88-year- old grandparents got out there and danced, which was so adorable. Two of my best friends had gotten lots of different fun things to wear on the dance floor like hats, mustaches, glittery tiaras, funny noses, and oversized sunglasses, which JB actually threw in lieu of a garter!

A last little tidbit – If any brides are considering getting married in Fredericksburg, your very first call should be to Elizabeth Harris! She is simply the best – knowledgeable, resourceful, organized, wonderfully sweet, and the best part is that she is so calm. Nothing fazed her or got her anxious at any point. She made everything so seamless and perfect.

See the Alesi’s blog for more images from this beautiful day!

Stella Alesi / Photography, SMP Portfolio

Vendors

Stella and Leon Alesi
I had the most amazing experience with Stella ~ who is just a genius!
She and Leon have such an amazing aesthetic and were such a joy to work with!
I cannot say enough wonderful things about them.

Regina B. (Jewelry)
Regina was so wonderful. I saw the pair of earrings that I wanted on her website,
but was worried that the stones would be too dark. She asked me to send her a picture of my dress,
and she then custom matched new stones on the pair of earrings I selected. I am such a
jewelry person and I had been searching for the perfect pair of earrings
as soon as I chose the dress. She went above and beyond!

Venue – Hoffman Haus

Dress – Monique Lhuillier

Bridesmaids Dress – Butter by Nadia

Floral – Johnathan Andrew Sage, Inc. (Houston)

Cake/Cupcakes – Sophie’s Choice Bakery (Fredericksburg)

Boots – The Wild West Store, Boot Whisperer (Wimberley, TX)

Invitation – Morgan Davis Stationery (Fredericksburg)

Wedding Planner – Elizabeth Harris

Catering – CarteWheels (Kerrville)

Rentals – Marquee Rents

Band – The Heat (Dallas)

In every wedding sent to us, there are immediately, a few photos that tug at our heartstrings, those that tell more of the story than all of the rest put together! As we begin to go through the rest of the images, our minds start whirling and we start envisioning how we’re going to group the photos. As storyboards? … timelines in conjunction with the order of events? Or individual, stand-alone photos that grab your interest and lend themselves to a part of ‘the rest of the story?’

These first four images from Meghan McSweeney represent those first few images that tugged at my heart. That told me pretty much all I needed to know about Jessica & Patrick … from the start!

Right away, you just know this bride is an honest-to-goodness-sweetheart. You know, right off the bat, that family comes first and foremost ~ AND, in spite of herself, she is a true romantic at heart!  (Are we right, Jessica?)

And the groom? Patrick. What’s his story? Calm, cool, collected, shy, most assuredly. But a man who will provide and care for his bride ~ forever… and ever, amen!

The quality of a truly great photographer is that he or she can sense the deeply rooted feelings and characters of brides and grooms they share this magnificent day with, and they are able to capture the emotions surrounding all the special moments (big or little!) regardless of all the minor ups and downs ~ major OR minor nerves that may play a part of the wedding day!

Jessica and Patrick’s June wedding at the Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church was sent to us by Virginia’s Little Black Book photographer, Meghan McSweeney. It is a shining example of the pure, sweet simplicity of the celebration of marriage …

The reception was held at the Gari Melcher’s Home and Studio at Belmont ~

The Gari Melcher Home and Studio is a historic property and art collection deeded to the Commonwealth of Virginia by the artist’s wife as a memorial to her husband.

Here’s what Jessica had to say about their wedding day … Patrick and I wanted to share such an intimate occasion with only our family and closest loved ones. For that reason, we kept it fairly small. We wanted the day to be comfortable and fun for everyone, yet still elegant.

Her advice to fellow brides? Be prepared ~ for the fact IS that most things won’t be as simple to put together as you think. If you are planning the wedding by yourself, take all the help you can get!

Very good advice, Jessica!  Our best wishes to the two of you for a life full of adventure and passion!

One quick special PS … Meghan posted a really great photo shoot on her blog a couple of weeks ago. Showcases some really unique vintage jewelry and bouquets from Etsy’s Pauline in Paris. It appears that her etsy shop isn’t stocked right now, but you can see many of her lovely pieces on Meghan’s blog! If you’ve got a moment, it might just be the finishing touch you’ve been searching for!!

Photography: Meghan McSweeney Photography, Flowers: Jane Guerin, Ceremony: Fredericksburg Presbyterian Church, Reception: Belmont, Gari Melchers Home and Studio, Catering: Olde Virginia Catering, Music/DJ: Doc Henley Smythe.

Carlie & Tom were married in March 2009 in the historic Texas town of Fredericksburg … right down the road from Luckenbach (as in “Waylon & Willie and the boys …”). Though their original wedding plans had to be postponed until after Tom’s deployment to Iraq, the end result was one of true joy and love that friends and family enjoyed immensely!

Carlie and the fantastic ladies at Caplan Miller Events planned a festive celebration that was inspired by a millinery theme. Many of the ladies checked their custom-made hats,ordered from London, at the door. Such fun!

A tented affair in the heart of the Texas Hill Country ~at the Hoffman Haus~  just gorgeous! I do believe that shabby chic had it’s origin in Fredericksburg, Texas.

Dinner and dancing lasted late into the night…

The next day, a brunch send-off from the local airport was, once again, in classic Texas-style via a prop-engine plane … leaving their guests shaking their heads saying, “That is SO Carlie & Tom!”

Our congratulations to the newlyweds and a HUGE thank you to Caplan Miller Events for sharing this wedding with us!!

Other vendor credits include ~ Juxtapose Photography, David Kurio Floral Designs,  Townsley Designs (Draping/Decor), Marquee Event Group (Tent/Rentals), Kurant Events (Catering).

Tom & Carlie met in classic Texas-style … deep in the heart of Austin’s 6th Street. The chemistry was instant, but the logistics of being together ~ not so much.

Tom was in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Hood. Carlie was finishing up her Civil Engineering Master’s degree. And as so often happens, their future together was put on hold several times in the next few years. After a year long tour in Iraq, Tom returned and they TRULY celebrated their reunion.

On Saturday, March 28, they were married at a Texas Hill Country vineyard, Grape Creek Vineyard in Fredericksburg. Carlie wore camo Manolo’s in honor of her groom and was led down the aisle by a bagpiper. The ceremony was held under huge oak trees and florist David Kurio Floral Designs surrounded the round platform with blue hydrangeas.

When their wedding had to be postponed (until Tom’s return from Iraq), Carlie had a full year to plan with the oh-so talented ladies at Caplan-Miller Events! She decided to let her family ties to London be her inspiration, and planned the event around a fun millinery theme. All the ladies donned custom-made hats!

Fredericksburg is a charming German town 70 miles north of San Antonio. Filled with Texas-primitive antique shops and quaint Bed & Breakfast lodgings, it was a refreshing destination wedding for all their guests!  

all photos courtesy of Juxtapose Photography

Carlie and Tom’s reception at the Hoffman Haus is next!