Texas Weddings

Riven Rock Ranch is a terrific new event venue nestled in the serene Texas Hill Country. Our vendor team set out to showcase this rustic spot in all it’s country charm… with a little added feminine flair! Although this is a styled editorial shoot, it was as close to the real deal as you can get. Randa and Grant, have been married a little over a year now and their newlywed love was so apparent all day. By including a few real guests… some really yummy food and specialty cocktails plus a real couple (in real love), we turned this inspiration shoot into a true celebration at an amazing new Texas venue. ~ from T. Walker Photography plus a bunch of incredibly talented wedding pros!

Randa started the day by getting her hair and makeup done by Jax Studio, based out of San Antonio. She then got dressed in the main house at Riven Rock Ranch where she donned a gorgeous, sleeveless, lace Hayley Paige a-line gown with a plunging v-neckline provided by Bella Bride Boutique. She topped off the look with a pair of wedding-worthy Louboutin’s and dazzling diamonds from Nicole Mera Luxury Private Jewelry. In true feminine tradition, she also wore a stunning blush bejeweled garter from La Gartier.

Lively Events coordinated the entire day starting with a hilltop sunset ceremony that overlooked coastal fields. Chairs were provided by Peerless Events.  The one-of-a-kind ceremony backdrop was made from copper tubing, hand-died cheese cloth and greenery from floral designer Reiley + Rose.

Our cocktail hour was set up on a grassy lawn directly behind the ceremony where SassTass & The Pour Horse, Mobile Bar Co served his and hers signature  cocktails – Figgin Married + Lavender Bees Knees as well as a classic champagne tower.  Guests enjoyed the romantic lounge seating area provided by SueBee Rentals.

Moving inside, into the reception space, a classic South Texas meal provided by Black Tie Affairs was served and included a tortilla station with fajita meats and sides. The reception decor was provided by both SueBee and Peerless and included hand-died cheese cloth, vintage glasses, gold flatware and hand-written place cards produced by Lazy Creek Designs. The head table was situated in front of the fireplace which was covered in a beautiful floral installation.

Randa & Grant also cut the 5-tier wedding cake provided by Cakes Rock!!!-SA. The hand-cut feathers covering the cake were said to have taken three days to make from scratch.

Ending the evening, the couple left in a vintage red and white, newly restored convertible Corvette.

What an amazing “almost-real” celebration. See more of this Rustic Wedding Inspiration with a Feminine Flair in the full gallery!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: T Walker Photography | Event Planning: Lively Events | Floral Design: Reiley + Rose | Cake: Cakes ROCK!!! | Shoes: Louboutin | Catering: Black Tie Affairs | Calligrapher: Lazy Creek Designs | Tuxedo: The Black Tux | Wedding Venue: Riven Rock Ranch | Bartending: Sass Tass Event | Bride | Model: Randa Carrabba | Dress Boutique: Bella Bride | Dress Designer: Hayley Paige | Garter: La Gartier Wedding Garters | Jewlery: Nicole Mera | Makeup & Hair Artist: Jax Roberson | Rentals: Peerless Event Rentals | Rentals: Sue Bee Vintage Rentals | Ring Box: The Mrs Box | Velvet Vow Book: Claire Magnolia

Happy weekend, loves! We already knew you were major fans of this stunning  Colorful Boho Glam Hill Country Texas Wedding — since it was one of last week’s top pins on Pinterest! — so we got the how-to from floral designer  Ashlyn Gibbens Hobbs, of Sweet Magnolia Floral, for this show-stopping boho-glam bouquet. Read on for the how-to, and the story behind this gorgeous wedding and its sweet Bride.

[dotted]

Colorful Boho Glam Texas Hill Country Wedding Bouquet

I wasn’t familiar with Texas bluebonnets until I came upon Brooke Jonsson’s, of Oh Studio Stella, pics from this adorable engagement shoot. And now holy moly, I am obsessed. These flowers are downright gorgeous and their color absolutely captivating, and not to mention, these two cuties make the whole scene even better. See why my day just got a whole lot better right here!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Brooke Jonsson of Oh Stella Studio… Richard is a full-time jazz musician, playing upright bass in the best jazz groups around Austin. Karen is one of Austin’s best jazz vocalists, fronting her own band. Together, they are the ultimate power couple in the jazz community. Karen and Richard can be hired to play music for weddings, private functions, holiday parties, and everything in between. For more info- visit www.karentennison.com.

From the Bride-to-be… We met in college at The University of Northern Colorado. We both registered for the same class, which met once a week in the evenings. Since we lived in the same area of town, Richard would walk me home every week after class. I liked his glasses, his humor, and his taste in music (jazz). He liked that I was just as passionate about jazz as he was (among other things). For our first date, he took me to the local one-screen, vintage-inspired theater to see “Raising Arizona.” When he graduated, we moved back to Austin and have been playing music with each other every chance we get. I am currently on the hunt for a handmade dress to wear for our November wedding this year at the Barr Mansion in Austin, TX.

Photography: Oh Stella Studio | Black Skirt: Nordstrom | Bride-To-Be's Shoes: Steve Madden | Groom-To-Be's Shoes: Clarks | Location: Hill Country | Men's Pants: Gap | Men's Shirt: J.Crew | White Top: Lucky Brand | Yellow Skirt: Hot & Delicious

If you’re looking for a wedding that hits deep in the heart of Texas, you’re in the right spot! This Texas Hill Country wedding is seriously stunning. A good chunk of inspiration came from the famed Texas anthem (note: the constellation table runners) making every detail very classy and very Texas. Check out Katherine O’Brien Photography’s photos for more good-looking good times.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

Photography: Katherine Obrien Photography | Coordination: Three Apples Events | Florist: Stems Floral Design + Event Styling | Wedding Dress: BHLDN | Shoes: J.Crew | Hair & Makeup: Alex Marie | Groom's Suit: Faconnable | Venue: Three Points Ranch

True story: anytime a wedding has a mac ‘n’ cheese bar, I am allll over it.  But show me a wedding with the aforementioned yummy goodness from Cartewheels Catering, plus a world of rustic meets vintage details and that’s what I call a wedding wonderland of epic proportions.  It’s a sweeter than sweet backyard setting meets romantic blooms from Petals, ink. meets all kinds of lovely captured by Lahra Bryant Photography.  See it all here.

From the Bride…Growing up, I never had my dream wedding planned or had even really given it much thought, but after an amazing dating relationship and a picture perfect engagement the vision for my big day all began to piece together. From the beginning of my husband, Jordan, and I’s relationship its been about the simple things in life, hard work, enjoying a cold beer and cherishing those who have impacted our life; so we wanted our wedding to reflect the Texas charm and hometown culture we enjoyed growing up. Over our 16-month engagement we both spent time getting things ready. Jordan worked with my dad to extend the deck of the house and build the stairs that lead down to the recently added lawn terracing where the reception would take place. While my mom, sister and I designed and created Texas chic lamp shades of burlap and lace and mason jar chandeliers to hang in the oak trees, centerpieces using collected antique pottery vases, oak stumps cut from trees on the property and hurricane lanterns , and creating the perfect seating vignettes for our guest to enjoy the celebration.

When the big day finally arrived everything went as planned! Early in the morning I was out with my mom and the groomsmen getting the reception site set up making sure each lamp shade and chandelier were in their proper place while the men did the heavy lifting getting seating arrangements in their appropriate location. Ever the perfectionist inside, I was content it was time to get myself ready for this day! Back at the Hillside Acres Resort my bridesmaids and I relaxed and enjoyed getting pampered by Bella Marie as they did our hair and make-up. Once we were picture perfect, we were off for a few pre-ceremony pictures and before I knew it I was walking down the aisle between the wooden pews in Historic Johnson City First Baptist Church as the sun shown through the stain glass windows. In the moment, the ceremony was all a blur, I remember exchanging personal vows Jordan and I had written, the wedding kiss and walking out the back of the church as Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Sawyer. After, the ceremony, guests were transported by trolleys to the reception site where they enjoyed a hayride in from the road to be greeted by Cartwheels Catering with passed h’orderves and signature drinks served from our customized cedar bar. When the bridal party and family finished with an amazing post ceremony photo session with Lahra Bryant we joined our guests to celebrate.

Upon entering my imagined wonderland, Jordan and I were showered with so much love from our friends and family as we got to mix and mingle as the sun disappeared behind the hills and the deer grazed in the background. Before enjoying a delicious mix of on the spot crafted Quesadillas, a Mac-n-cheese bar, and Fried Green Tomatoes with pork sliders, my dad took our guests down memory lane and highlighted the beautiful relationship he had seen develop between Jordan and me. It was a priceless father’s speech and a blessing as everyone enjoyed a great laugh and some tears at the end. After dinner we kicked up our heels with dancing under a light strung dance floor and enjoyed our delicious Lemon Bridal cupcakes and Chocolate Bavarian groom’s cake from Sophie’s Bakery. The rest of the evening was spent boot scooting around the dance floor to the outstanding music provided by Ross Phillips with Look No Further Entertainment. Finally it was time for Jordan and I to enjoy one last dance under the star filled Texas sky before we enjoyed our hayride and we waved goodbye to our guests and hello to our exciting life as Mr. and Mrs. Jordan Sawyer.

Photography: Lahra Bryant Photography | Floral Design: Petals, ink. | Cake: Sophie's Bakery | Catering: CarteWheels Caterers, Inc | DJ: Look No Further Entertainment | Location: Private Residence

Say the word “vintage” and you’ll see my heart quicken at an unusually fast pace.  But throw in the term “garden party” and the event planning prowess of Soireebliss! Events and it’s game, set, match in the love department.  Think stunning blooms from Stems Floral Design, fabulous images from Daniel Chee and a one VERY adorable bride and groom.  Fall in love right here.

From Soireebliss! Events… Cynthia Castillo & Matthew Jeter married on March 9, 2013 at the Orchards at Caney Creek. They wanted to host a semi-destination wedding in the Texas country where a majority of their guests could stay the weekend. The venue has multiple cottages on property. The colors chosen were dove gray and shades or coral. Theme: very chic garden vintage with lots of personal touches. The couple spent the day relaxing with friends. The groom made his famous gumbo for the guests staying on property. The couple married on the side lawn in front of the “wedding tree”. The bride’s father especially crafted a set or iron gates to designate the opening to the ceremony. The wedding program was displayed on a free-standing chalkboard at the ceremony entrance. In honor of the Groom’s Irish heritage, they chose to do a hand fasting ceremony in place of a unity candle.

The bride gave each of her bridesmaids a personally monogrammed PJ shirt – hand embroidered by her Mother. The bride’s bouquet was wrapped in lace from her mother’s dress. She wore a blue sapphire necklace as a piece of her wedding day ensemble. The piece was a wedding gift from the Groom. The bride loved the coral color and felt it best that her bridesmaids choose a shade that fit their skin tone best – which created a nice array of coral shade. As part of the bridesmaids gifts, the bride gave them Kendra Scott earrings to match their dress. As a wedding gift from her Grandmother, she carried a hand stitched handkerchief as her something old. The Groom and groomsmen let their fun personalities shine through in the style of dress socks. Each chose a pair that reflected their personality. The Groom’s was by far the most eclectic design – reflecting his fun vibrant personality.

The reception took place in the main house on property that had an oversized wrap around porch that overlooked the property’s lake. The couple served a scrumptious buffet meal and danced the night away under the cafe lights on the deck to the swinging tunes of the Collector’s Item Band. The band is one of the Groom’s favorite and has been to many of their performances in the past. Displayed on the bride’s cake table was wedding pictures from each of their parents’ wedding days. The unique quality that was discovered is that each set of parents had chosen the same cake design and same veil for their wedding day. Each centerpiece for the guest tables varied in design with similar vintage elements simply arranged differently – lanterns, bud vases, stalked vintage books (books provided from the Bride’s father’s personal collection) and unique vases filled with tulips. The Bride’s father collects vintage vehicles. He had purchased a vintage truck the same year the Bride was born. He knew on her wedding day that this would be her getaway vehicle. Through the course of her life, he slowly restored the vehicle. The Bride and Groom departed the evening to a sparkler send-off. It was truly a remarkable wedding filled with true personal details from start to finish. The table runners for the reception were hand sewn by the Mother of the Bride. The couple truly enjoyed unique wines and opted to have a wine bottle guest book. Each bottle was designated with a future anniversary year – the guests would write notes on the bottles for the couple to read on the designated anniversary year. A close friend of the couple played their first dance on an acoustic guitar accompanied by the band. The song, “Always and Forever” by Cory Morrow, was played by Ben Phillips (friend).

Photography: Daniel Chee | Floral Design: Stems Floral Design + Event Styling | Cake: Edible Designs By Jessie | Catering: Orchards At Caney Creek | Hair & Makeup: Blush & Company | Band: Collector's Item | Ceremony Music: Dreams Come True Music | Wedding Planenr: Soireebliss! Events

This, my friends, is the reason I love Texas weddings.  The reason my hearts stop when I see a sweet rustic setting joining forces with romantic details and heartwarming moments aplenty.  And it’s also the reason I’ve been spending a crazy amount of time in the full gallery, soaking in every last precious moment captured by Rebecca McCoy Photography, from the crazy gorgeous florals from Brandi Hines Events + Design to the love-filled reception at The Wildflower Barn to the bride and groom who will leave a giant, giant smile on your face.  Click here for all of the pretty.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… Living on the Texas coast, we originally wanted a beach wedding, but the conditions are almost always less than perfect, so we decided on our second favorite area, the Texas Hill Country.  With my family from north Texas and his from southeast Texas, the Hill Country was right in the middle for our guests and is an area that we absolutely love.  Since we were four hours away, I knew I wanted a planner to help with coordinating it all and found Brandi at Brandi Hines Events + Design who executed my vision and feel perfectly.  Our rule of our wedding from day one was to keep it a light-hearted, simple, laid-back affair with country music and the outdoors.  I lost my father a year-and-a-half before the wedding and didn’t want it to be sad in any way because he wasn’t there.  My mother gave me a small pendant with his picture for my bouquet and I gave my Maid of Honor, my aunt Tracey, one with my late uncle’s picture that I was very close to.  That was all we needed as a reminder and to have them with us.  We wanted it to be a celebration of friends and family getting together again in a springtime, country backyard BBQ environment that was very casual and soft, bringing in natural elements like weathered wood, wildflowers, old glassware, and rustic antiques which I love.  I still wanted a little beach in our wedding so Matt and I collected driftwood which Brandi wonderfully incorporated into the centerpieces.  It was the perfect touch of beachiness and, afterall, the wedding was in Driftwood, Texas!   We also made nods to Matt’s alma mater, Texas A&M, in the table “numbers” which were A&M-related words, Messina Hof wine which is made in Bryan, and we played the Aggie War Hymn which Matt and all our Aggie friends sang.  Our ceremony was kept simple by having just a maid of honor and best man with an “honorary” wedding party.   We wanted our friends to enjoy themselves as guests but still be a part of our wedding so they picked their own attire based on just our requests of color/style and took part in our pictures which worked out great.   

I consider myself pretty crafty so I knew I wanted to DIY some projects from the beginning, all inspired by countless hours on Style Me Pretty, Pinterest, and Etsy.  I made our save-the-date coasters, the escort cards, chalkboards out of rustic frames and windows, signs out of old fence posts, the boutonnieres, about 50 crocheted rosettes, a ribbon backdrop, and the lavender toss cones.  Many family members and friends also had a hand in our wedding which I love because it made it that much more special.  My amazing cousins Jake and Jessie played acoustic Beatles, Allison Krauss, and Canon in D for our ceremony.  My maid of honor made 125 jars of various jams (most of it grown in her own garden) and brought native potted plants, complete with sewn pot covers, from the flower farm she works on.  Another aunt made my garters out of lace, blue seersucker, satin and pearls.  My sweet bridesmaids made the cork “M” at the bar, the jute “LOVES” (something we all say to each other), as well as the redneck wine glasses.  Our officiant was our family friend Mike who I have known almost my whole life and was one of my father’s best friends.  His wife has her own cake business and although she swore off doing wedding cakes, I finally talked her in to doing ours and they were one of my favorite aspects to the wedding.  I was more nervous about the cake making it down the bumpy dirt road in one piece than anything while getting ready!  Matt was so excited about his surprise groom’s cake, a cobia, he forgave me for smuggling one of his favorite lures up to put on it.

Brandi was so easy to work with as she knew exactly what style we were going for and had great ideas that fit right in, it was all exactly how I had envisioned it!  Rebecca McCoy is a dear friend of Brandi’s and had an amazing portfolio so I never worried once about the photography.  The day before the wedding was actually the first communication I had with Rebecca since it was all handled through Brandi and the day of, I felt as if she was one of my girlfriends I had known for years!  She fit right in with the family and wedding party and made me feel so relaxed and pretty in all of our pictures.  I felt like we were very taken care of by these ladies and were understood throughout the wedding festivities so that we could relax with everyone as much as possible.

Advice to future brides would be to not take on too much and if there is any possible way you can, hire an event planner!  Brandi’s coordination was invaluable, especially for the day-of and for our long-distance planning.  I would have had many an absolute breakdown if I had to deal with everything myself.  I always thought the “something always goes wrong but it won’t matter to you on that day” saying was a mean cliché but yes some things will, and yes they will frustrate you, and yes it may upset you on your wedding day (and for days after) but it honestly doesn’t matter once you walk out there, your mind just clears and it’s all about you and your love and it all goes by so very fast.

We feel like our wedding was the perfect reflection of us and that it conveyed exactly the feel we wanted.  We were so happy to see everyone and were honored for them to come be a part of our day. I will never forget the feeling of seeing Matt at our first look, of marrying my absolute best friend while saying our sweet and funny personal vows, seeing everyone so dear to us when we turned around, and of two-stepping the night away with my new husband just as we did when we met that first night, minus the trash can.

[dotted]

Photography: Rebecca McCoy Photography | Planning, Floral + Event Design: Brandi Hines, Brandi Hines Events + Design | Ceremony + Reception Venue: The Wildflower Barn | Rentals: Hill Country Event Rentals | Cakes: Donna Bateman, A Slice of Heaven Cakes | Cake Toppers: sweet reverie | Ceremony Musicians: Cousins of the Bride | Reception DJ: Todd Green, 5150 Productions | Invitations: Brandi Hines Events + Design + InvitaPaperStudio | Save the Dates: DIY by the bride + lovetocreatestamps | Reception Decor: Brandi Hines Events + Design + Bride  | Jam favors: Maid of Honor | Catering + Bar Service: The Salt Lick | Rehearsal Dinner: Creek Road Café | Wedding Dress: Robert Bullock via Unbridaled  | Bride’s Shoes: Tom’s | Maid of Honor Dress: Victoria’s Secret | Bridesmaids Dresses: Various | Groom + Best Man Attire: J.Crew + Banana Republic | Groomsmen Attire: Various | Bride’s Jewelry: Bride’s Grandmother’s + BunnyBisous + all about romance

If we were giving out awards for the most fun-filled (+ drop-dead gorgeous) wedding of the week, this sweet Hill Country affair would most definitely be in the running.  Because this isn’t just a seriously stunning set of nuptials featuring two of the world’s cutest sweeties, it also happens to be a joy-filled love fest with a good old fashioned Texas dance party.  In other words, it’s an amazingly good time all captured by the ever-talented Tara Welch Photography.  See it all right here in the full gallery.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… As soon as Brady proposed to me, I knew that we had to get married in Fredericksburg. Fredericksburg has always held a special place in our hearts. From birthday celebrations, anniversaries and an LSAT completion dinner, many a special occasion throughout our relationship has been spent there. Brady popped the question on a beautiful scenic loop right outside of town called Willow City Loop- which positively sparkles in the Spring with wildflowers. We were cruising along listening to old country tunes and sipping a Shiner when he proposed, so I felt strongly about incorporating these elements of the proposal into the wedding itself. Hence, all of the wildflowers, rustic wood, cowboy boots, antlers and Shiner beer that appeared at the wedding.

As for me, all that I knew for certain was that I wanted to still maintain my identity on my wedding day. I didn’t want to walk down the aisle and have Brady hardly recognize me. Instead, I opted to wear my hair in a natural way and I chose a dress that reflected my personal style. I knew that I wanted a simple lace dress with no embellishments and not too poofy. My J.Crew dress fit the bill beautifully. I kept the lace theme going with other lace elements, including the tablecloths and the lace ribbon curtain that hung behind us during the ceremony (one of my favorite parts!). Although our plans of an outdoor wedding were foiled by a random thunderstorm, hey, it’s Texas. You just have to go with the flow. And that’s just what we did. Our wedding was just as it was supposed to be, filled with love, laughter, and lots of fabulous music.

[dotted]

Photography: Tara Welch Photography | Ceremony + Reception Venue: Albert Dance Hall | Getting Ready Location: Red Barn at Pepper Ranch | Floral Design: Sprout | Wedding Planning + Coordination: Annabelle Mode | Cake: Sophie’s Choice | Catering: Smoke Shack BBQ | Music: Justin Furstenfeld from Blue October + Texas Renegade + Caliche | Party Rentals: Whim Event | Makeup + Hair:  Kalli Kunz of Fredericksburg, TX | Wedding Dress + Shoes : J.Crew

There is something so incredibly romantic about a pastel color palette. It’s soft and ethereal and pretty much perfect for a summer wedding. Which makes this inspiration designed by Mayhar Design along with florals by Sprout and photography by Caroline Joy, all the more relevant on this warm June day. P.S. if you’re having a Fall, Winter or Spring wedding, this inspiration works for those too! Around here, we believe pretty transcends all seasons. Have a look at the full gallery for even more.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Mayhar Design…We are in love with this industry. It offers us the gift of working alongside brides and grooms as they plan one of the most magical and important days of their lives! Additionally, it provides us the great joy of collaborating with an amazingly talented group of artists and professionals. We truly admire and respect the work of so many artists in the wedding industry, and were thrilled to design and plan this photo shoot.
 
From the start, we knew that we wanted to create an event that was romantic and timeless. We also wanted to express our vision through a soft and dreamy “watercolor garden” palette. Our goal was to couple the softest shades of watery peach and pink with calming and tranquil bursts of mint, aqua and green – all against a lush and romantic hill country garden backdrop.

Our first step was to find a photographer. We adore the work of Caroline (Caroline Joy Photography), and were thrilled when she was among the first to join our team. We cannot speak highly enough of her exquisite attention to detail and her ability to lovingly capture images with the most intimate and beautiful softness. Florals (one of our all-time favorite elements) were so important for the look and feel of the shoot – and we were ecstatic to enlist the talent of our dear friend and gifted designer, Michelle Hodges (Sprout). The beautiful Hoffman Haus, in Fredericksburg, was our top pick to achieve the natural and elegant garden setting that we had been looking for.

As soon as these decisions were made, it was time to focus on the colorful details and finishing touches – we were beyond blessed to have such gifted artists bring to life the remaining elements. Stunning calligraphy was provided by the talented Nicole Black (The Left Handed Calligrapher) and our friend and artist, Noelle Palm, hand-painted love rocks for us. Jessica from Bird Bakery designed decadent, custom pear tarts, while Angi of Blue Note Bakery painted a three-tired water-colored cake to compliment our stationary and add a perfect touch of sweetness to the shoot.

Our models were dressed in breathtaking attire, thanks to the generosity of Kelly Skahan with Nordstrom Bridal Suite (in Jenny Yoo), Kim Spradlin of Bella Bridesmaid (San Antonio) and Corie Barlow (our gifted grandmother whom we convinced to make a custom flower girl skirt and petticoat). The lovely ladies of Kendra Scott graciously shared their jewels with us for the day, while Vanessa Rios (hair) and Mandy Morrison (make-up) worked their gifted hands and magic on our sweet models. Last but not least, we were so thrilled to work with Whitley Rubinson and Micah Leiss, and our precious niece Lexie Freiermuth, who all brought such an amazing life and energy to the styling and the day as our models! We cannot thank our vendors enough for making the shoot such a joy to design and style – we truly are blessed to have worked with such a generous dream team!

[dotted]

Photographer: Caroline Joy Photography | Design + Styling: Mayhar Design | Floral Design: Sprout | Venue: Hoffman Haus | Calligraphy: The Left Handed Calligrapher | Hair: Vanessa Rios | Make-Up: Mandy Morrison | Wedding Dress: Jenny Yoo via Nordstrom Bridal Suite | Maid of Honor’s Dress: Bella Bridesmaid | Jewelry (necklaces and earrings): Kendra Scott | Cake: Blue Note Bakery | Tarts: BIRD Bakery | Painted Rocks: Noelle Palm | Ring Pillow, Hair Petals, Ribbon Wands, Pillows, Flower Wand: Mayhar Design | Flower Girl’s Skirt: Corie Barlow | Bride: Whitley Rubinson | Maid of Honor: Micah Leiss | Flower Girl: Lexie Freiermuth

These Vendors are members of our Little Black Book.
For membership information, click here

Bridesmaid

Jenny Yoo

View Portfolio

Although I’ve never personally been to Hill Country, after spending some serious quality time with this gorgeous gallery from  Briana Purser Photography I’m pretty sure I need to make a stop soon. Because not only does it look absolutely beautiful, the people also seem to be the nicest, sweetest people in all the land. Take this couple for instance. I’m pretty sure I would want to be their bestie if they would have me just from seeing their wedding. So even though I can literally take a trip to lovely Hill Country this morning, you can bet your bottom dollar I am taking a virtual trip right here in the full gallery.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… Tom and I have been together six years and have lived together almost just as long, so this was a long time coming! For our wedding, we knew we wanted to spend as much time as we could celebrating with our friends and family, as this was the one time we could get them all together in one place. I was really involved with planning all the details, researching and crafting with friends. I collected vintage bottles from flea markets, made gold painted mason jars, chalkboards and chose all the songs for the wedding and reception. Our friends and family were also very much involved. My bridesmaids and I made the bouquets while our other friends put the flower arrangements together for the tables the day-of, my father made the stumps for the centerpieces, Tom’s uncle made the BBQ, and some other friends made our cake. Everyone helped out in one way or another, it was truly special. The best compliment we received afterwards was the “The wedding was just so US!” That’s exactly what we were going for! We rented a house near Jester King Brewery for the wedding weekend to hang out after the reception with friends and family. Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and we wouldn’t have changed a thing!

[dotted]

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: Briana and James of Briana Purser Photography | Wedding Venue: Jester King Brewery | Floral Design: Austin Flower Company, assembled by friends and bridesmaids | Wedding Dress: Allure Bridal via Classy Concepts, Mansfield, Texas | Groom’s Attire: Bar III via Macy’s | Catering: Groom’s Uncle Ron’s BBQ + Red’s Porch | Invitations: Etsy | Photobooth: Al’s Photobooth | DJ: Sean Costarell

Looking to create a “rustic cabin in the wintery woods” feel for their big day, this stunning bride and groom turned to Vista West Ranch, the breathtaking Hill Country locale where hosting drop-dead gorgeous weddings is like second nature.  The result?  A seriously stunning affair filled with uber-amazing florals from Petal Pushers, sweet vintage details and personalized touches aplenty, including a dessert buffet.  Yummy.  See every love-filled moment captured by Mike Reed Photo in the full gallery.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… My husband Darron and I have definitely been coined old souls from our taste in music to design and style preferences.  We channeled that while planning our wedding exactly the way we wanted it; set against the Texas Hill Country backdrop. I had always envisioned an outdoor ceremony, so that, paired with an indoor ranch style reception, gave us a lot of space to add our personal touches.  Meaningful song quotes were sprinkled throughout our wedding from the invitations to the welcome baskets to even being displayed on wooden signs and chalkboards on the wedding day.  I had a bartender tell me “I knew this wedding was going to be fun when I saw the Led Zeppelin quote displayed during the cocktail hour.”  We also handpicked practically every song played that night from the ceremony to dinner music and, of course, for dancing. It was a lot of work but it accented the night perfectly and represented Darron and I in such a fun way.

When I tried to describe my vision to my floral and design planner I remember using the phrase “rustic cabin in the wintery woods minus any animal decor.”  The output was lots of muted flowers, branches, pine cones, antique books, vintage door hardware for table numbers, and tons of candlelight.   The warm candlelight ambiance at Vista West Ranch at night is to die for.  It felt almost magical. It was important that our wedding would not be confused as a Christmas party despite the December date; hence no poinsettias, mistletoe, or garland were present.

We enjoyed personalizing the timeline by skipping a lot of the reception cliches: instead of a cake we had a dessert station; I presented my bouquet to my mom instead of tossing it; and a family style dinner comprised of mostly locally grown and organic food was served instead of a buffet. When I first proposed the idea of doing a choreographed dance to Darron he gave me that “you’re crazy” stare, but now we look back at those late night dance sessions fondly and they actually helped me to de-stress quite a bit leading up to the wedding. I choreographed the dance to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zero’s song “Home” and had both sets of parents and all of our wedding party incorporated.  It was a huge success and one of my favorite memories of the night. In our eyes, the wedding was absolutely perfect which is in large part is due to all of our amazing vendors who made our vision a reality.

[dotted]

Photogrpaher: Mike Reed Photo | Coordination: Coordinate This | Floral Design: Petal Pushers | Venue: Vista West Ranch | Dress: Essense of Australia

I love Tara Welch.  And not just because she’s one of the sweetest ladies you’ll ever meet (she sooo is), but because she also happens to snap up some crazy gorgeous images.  Crazy gorgeous images that never fail to leave me breathless.  And, in the case of this beautiful Hill Country wedding, a little speechless, too. Because when you combine sweet vintage details, stunning yellow and gray hues and mesmerizing blooms from Bouquets of Austin, sometimes you lose the ability to speak.  (Seriously.)  Oh, and the beautiful favors painted by the bride’s grandfather?  SOOO awesome.  See so much more right here.

And even more pretty from the amazing Nostalgia Film.  Enjoy, lovelies.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… The day of our wedding was perfection in every way. From trying to sneak up on Peter during our first look – but my dress was way too loud – to smashing the cake up his nose (whoops). We had the best time and love was all over our faces… or so we were told by our guests! My number one goal for the day was for everyone to have fun and enjoy the evening! With a 90’s cover-band, the hand sketched photo-booth, the wine and a sparkling exit I think everyone had a blast!

When we starting planning we knew the first decision to make was where to have the wedding. Peter comes from a very big Texas family and even though I originally wanted a Napa Vineyard wedding I knew it wasn’t fair to ask so many people to travel.  Everyone had to be there since we are very close to our families! Peter suggested Hill Country for a happy medium! It was perfect… vineyards in Texas, who knew?!

I didn’t really know what “type” of wedding I wanted to have but after we found the Duchman Family Vineyard, it became my inspiration for the big day. It has such a romantic old Tuscan feel, I went with vintage details for almost everything. And I love shopping at flea markets and vintage stores! I did know I wanted yellow and gray, which actually came from my parents’ wedding. I remember looking through their wedding album and seeing her bridesmaids’ dresses that were yellow!  The yellow in the photos made the day seem so happy! So I modernized that with the popular yellow and gray trend!

Some vintage details I knew I had to have when I started to plan were: 1.) A “family tree,” as I called it, which was a tree that had photos hanging of our parents and grandparents on their wedding days by yellow and grey ribbon.  2.) Old handkerchiefs to pass out before the ceremony for tears of joy. (We decided to hold these in an old violin case which went perfect since we had a mandolin & strings playing as people found their seats.)  3.) I have collected milk glass vases over the years and knew they would be perfect for the low centerpieces at the reception! Bouquets of Austin did an amazing job with them! 4.) Lastly I knew I wanted my grandfather to be a part of the day! He is an unbelievable painter. so for wedding favors I wanted him to paint scenes of vineyards & Austin that I could give guests. He agreed to help and painted 125 postcard size paintings for us; he is AMAZING!

Some accidental details happened while the planning was going on… skeleton keys for escort cards was one of them! When shopping in vintage shops I came across SO many skeleton keys and I wanted to use them somehow, so I tied ribbon to each key attaching it to an escort card. The front would have the guest’s name and back of the card would have their assigned table. The table names for the reception were a vintage find that wasn’t supposed to happen! We were originally going to do basic table numbers but came across little cards that had the CUTEST names and sayings on them such as “Summer Time Sweethearts”, “Autumn Colors”, “Honeymooning”, “Flying the Coop”… and so became our table names.

The most fun, and last detail, was my toss bouquet. I personally hate going to weddings and diving for the bouquet when I was single so I wanted to give ALL the girls a chance to catch it! I tied lottery tickets to the bouquet to up the ante… too bad the lotto tickets only came to $10 when the girl cashed them in!!!

[dotted]

Wedding Photography: Tara Welch Photography | Wedding Cinematography: Nostalgia Film  | Wedding Venue: Duchman Family Vineyards in Driftwood, Texas | Wedding Coordinator: Austin Wedding Planners by Rosa | Floral Design: Bouquets of Austin | Caterer: Pink Avocado Catering | Wedding Cakes: Michelle’s Patisserie | Band: Zoodust | Linen Rental: Sweet Sunday Event | Wedding Invitations: Jessica Suhr | Wedding Dress: Lazaro | Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bride’s Earrings: Diana Warner | Groom’s Attire: JoS.A.Bank | Groom’s Shoes: Custom | Hair: Sunny Webb from Orbit Salon

You’re about to fall in love with this bride.  Not only because she is beautiful beyond belief and rockin’ one of the prettiest Blush by Jim Hjelm gowns you have ever seen, but because she and her handsome groom are sooo very, very talented (see: her stunning veil + fab flea market decor) and are the kind of crazy in love that makes your heart melt.  And their uber-gorgeous Hill Country wedding captured by Tara Welch Photography?  Amazing.  Click here for more and stay tuned for a beautiful film from Hardeman Films below.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… It was about 12 hours post-proposal that my full-blown obsession set in. Although the “theme” (if there was just one) evolved over time, we knew we wanted our wedding at its core to be a Hill Country, old timey, fall affair. Our starting point began with succulents, more specifically the Pearl of Nuremburg (did I mention obsession?!). Wanting to grow our own succulents for the wedding became a daily care where we tended to our first 100 bud plants, which soon became 200 and is still growing larger to this day. The thought of being able to one day look at all the pretty arrangements in the backyard and show our children ‘that once was part of our wedding’ seemed really beautiful.

From there I knew the colors of the bridesmaids’ dresses. I wanted the color to mimic the color on the tips of the succulent and to be the only bold and major color point in the wedding, having the main focus on the natural surroundings. Once I laid eyes on the beautiful antique fuchsia color of the dresses and the sophisticated pinstriped material, I knew the dress would look amazing on each of my friends.

Because we didn’t have an unlimited budget and wanted to do as much ourselves as we could, my fiancé and I began to spend a lot of quality time together going to every estate sale in Texas, along with the awesome flea markets back in my hometown in Ohio. I wanted to mimic much of the vintage decor my grandmother has always had around. We eventually amassed every woodland brass animal I could get my hands on, including my much-coveted armadillo. Soon we had every vessel our house would hold, made up of a mix of hobnail milk glass, brass planters and antique bottles from beer to bourbon. We finished off the tables with an assortment of vintage candlesticks, embroidered napkins and crocheted doilies and runners of various sizes.

For my dress, I knew I wanted amazing texture and an equally rich antique color, but with hopes I wouldn’t look like the many doilies I was covering the wedding in. I chose a Blush by Jim Hjelm ivory on champagne stunner that cannot be appreciated fully by a photo. I played up the dress with an antique filigree horseshoe brooch and handmade fabric flowers I found on Etsy, along with a veil I made from tulle and vintage tatting. For our flower girl, I found a 19th century ivory silk dress that had the most incredible handmade crocheted collar. We tied off her dress with an antique French ribbon and vintage horseshoe brooch, which when juxtaposed with her fuchsia tights and brown cowgirl boots looked adorable.

We finished up our year of relaxed wedding planning madness with a night of whisky and laughs while the men chose their fabric for their custom pants by the local Dandy’s. From a bride approved small sampling of plaid lightweight wool fabrics that worked best with my fiancé’s choices for his three piece suit, each groomsmen (and my “bridesman”) chose which one suited them best, along with the style of pant they preferred. In the end, this pulled together the whole look and feel of the wedding party… the hats the men debated over for months and eventually picked up last minute the night before helped too!

In the end our wedding day was memorable beyond belief. Our bellies were full, almost as much as our hearts. We both feel truly blessed to be so lucky in love.

Wedding Photography: Tara Welch Photography / Secondary Photography: Brandon Johnson / Wedding Venue: Three Points Ranch in Round Mountain, Texas / Cinematography: Brett Hardeman from Hardeman Films / Floral Design: Austin Flower Co. / Caterer: Pink Avocado / Wedding Cake: Crazy Cakes / Decor + Programs: The Chartreuse Goose / Band: The Chris Story Band / Wedding Dress: Blush by Jim Hjelm via Serendipity Bridal / Veil: DIY by the Bride / Boots: Texas Boot Company / Bridesmaids’ Attire: BCBG / Men’s Attire: Custom Made by Dandy’s / Hair + Makeup: Mandy Silver from Mandy Silver Magic (512.773.3257)

When your best friend happens to be the uber-talented photog Nicole Chatham, choosing a wedding photographer is as easy as 1, 2, 3.  Especially when you’ve been admiring her work since you took a photography class together at the age of 15.  That’s what we here at SMP call “meant to be.”  And when your wedding day is as gorgeous as this pretty, pretty bride’s is, you can bet she’ll capture every last moment to absolute perfection – from the lavender hued florals from Wild Bunches to your Camp Lucy wonderland.  See it all right here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… Before Cory and I got engaged, we both knew we wanted to get married in the Hill Country. Once we got engaged, I contacted my best friend, Nicole Chatham, who also happened to be a wedding photographer in the New Braunfels area. When I asked her where we should get married, her answer was automatically Camp Lucy. As soon as we looked at the Camp Lucy website, we knew we had found our wedding venue. Its rustic elegance was exactly what we were looking for. I fell in love the interiors of Camp Lucy’s chapel. The wood carvings and stone wall details give you goose bumps as you walk in. It is so romantic. The event hall could not have been more perfect for us, with its wood floors, rustic candelabras, and the massive stone fireplace. It was both comfortable and elegant at the same time. Camp Lucy’s facilities were so beautiful I didn’t want to over decorate it and distract from its own beauty. Adding simple lanterns, mason jars, lace, and purple hydrangeas (my favorite flower) added the touch of rustic country to our exquisite setting. My mother, a vintage china enthusiast, loved collected all the different dishes. I wanted each table setting to be different, from the plates, flatware, and even coffee mugs. Each table also had a different vintage napkins and lace dollies.

Our bouquet and boutonnieres from Wild Bunches were exactly what I had envisioned! I wanted full soft bouquets that had a hill country feel. My colors were champagne and mauve. I loved how my bridal bouquet was so soft and romantic while my bridesmaid’s bouquets complemented mine with a punch of purple. We decided to have the boutonniere’s be more organic and use sage and lavender from the Texas hill country.

Our cakes by Classic Cakes by Lori were by far our biggest hit at the wedding. Not only were they stunning, they tasted amazing! There was not a crumb left of either cake. They did an outstanding job recreating Texas A&M’s Kyle Field for Cory’s groom’s cake. The details were incredibly to scale, from the field, to the scoreboard with a real picture on it of the 38-30 A&M win over UT in the championship game.

When it came to picking a photographer, there was no question who to choose. Nicole Chatham has been one of my best friends since I was 15. We met in our first photography class back in high school and I have been a fan of her work ever since. The only problem was that I wanted her to be one of my bridesmaids as well, but I also couldn’t imagine anyone else capturing my special day. At first she only wanted to be my bridesmaid, but after I explained to her how much I valued her work she agreed to be not only my bridesmaid, but also my photographer. We signed Abbey Herderson on as a second photographer to take pictures during the ceremony and to assist with the bridesmaid pictures so Nicole could stand by my side.

I am so glad Nicole agreed to hold these dual roles because I could not be more satisfied and in love with my pictures. Nicole’s style is soft and romantic. I still cannot believe that it is Cory and I in her pictures, because they are such beautiful images. Overall, it was the perfect hill country wedding that I had always envisioned!

Wedding Photography: Nicole Chatham / Second Shooter: Abbey Henderson / Wedding Venue: Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, Texas / Wedding Coordinator: Christina from The Wedding Warriors / Floral Design: Wild Bunches / Catering: Creek Road Cafe / Wedding Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori / Entertainment: Altared Weddings / Hair +  Makeup: Sara from Cara Dulce Makeup

Nothing quite makes my heart go pitter pat than a breathtaking location, and this wedding at Villa Antonia has my ticker on super overdrive. And when you add the sheer romantic wonderfulness of this Maggie Sottero gown with the terrace views of Texas Hill Country and florals from Bouquets of Austin? I just can’t handle all of the greatness this gallery has to offer. Find it all by Amy Weison Photography right here.

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From the Bride… Patrick and I are high-school sweethearts, but we have known each other since elementary school. In August, we finally tied the knot on the hottest, most wonderful day in Austin, Texas. Our wedding was a unique and beautiful affair doused in white lace, candles, hand-painted vintage vases, beautiful blooming roses, small spurts of astilbe and dusty miller, and hanging crystals. We chose Villa Antonia, nestled in the Texas Hill Country just northwest of Austin, Texas, as our wedding day backdrop because of its romantic feel and surprising water features and viewpoints around every corner. Our outdoor ceremony was a bit warm, but the programs doubled as fans to provide our guests with a cool introduction to our bridal party. During the reception, dinner tables were decorated with an eclectic array of blush pink and ivory flowers that filled hand-painted bud vases, which mimicked vintage-milk glass. The candy buffet, with custom M & P candy bowls, was the perfect way to share our appreciation with our guests, as well as showcase our favorite sweet treats! The theme of our wedding was classic, elegant, beautiful love.

Wedding Photography: Amy Weison Photography / Wedding Venue: Villa Antonia in Jonestown, Texas / Floral Design: Bouquets of Austin / Wedding Day Coordination: Chelsea Rollert of iLove Wedding & Event Design / Catering: Creative Creations Catering / Wedding Invitations: Paper Source / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero via Signature Bridal Salon / Bride’s Shoes: TOMS

To say I am in love with this surprise proposal session from Brittney Melton Photography is the understatement of the century. The sweet story behind the couple is enough to melt your heart, but add in the bride’s out-of-this-world-adorable outfit, and the obvious chemistry between these two love-birds, and what we’ve got is photo shoot gold. Meet me in the full gallery to continue the swoon-fest!

Share this gorgeous gallery on

 

From Brittney Melton Photography… This proposal story began when Tyler contacted me a while ago. He devised a plan that I was holding a contest and he entered some photos of him and Megan in hopes of winning a free photo session. Well, can you believe they won!?! What are the odds… :) We planned it all out and although Megan was suspicious of the “TONS” of couples who entered and THEY won out of all of them — I can be a little dramatic sometimes with my capital letters — but she went along with it. We got to roam around the gorgeous land at Texas Ranch Life B&B all by ourselves, and it ended with a question and an answer…

Photography: Brittney Melton Photography / Location: Texas Ranch Life in Chappell Hill, Texas

There is just something about pink. Something fresh, something romantic, something fun. Depending on the shade you go with, pink can say so much about your soiree – and almost always, pink says you’re in for a fabulous time. The hot hue in this wedding complimented the Texas Hill Country better than any other color could have done – just check out Forever Photography‘s gorgeous images for proof. There is a whole gallery of pretty pink waiting for you here!

Click here to see the full image gallery!

Matt and I met while we were sophomores in college. Despite living in different cities and attending different colleges, our paths crossed one night! Five years later in April of 2011, I came home to our house on Easter Weekend after visiting family in Houston to find a large red bow on the front of our door. As I entered our home, our kitchen and living room were covered with red and white balloons and there was a string of pictures of us leading from my front door to the living room. With our song playing in the background, surrounded by balloons and pictures of just the two of us, Matt got down on one knee… I of course said yes! Let the planning begin!

From the moment we got engaged my mom and I were in full force wedding mode! We traveled to the heart of the Hill Country to check out Lost Mission and absolutely fell in love! The rustic charm and subtle Spanish elegance captured my vision perfectly and I knew it was the perfect place to say “I Do!”

After making it official with Lost Mission, we set off trying to find the perfect vendors to make our dream wedding a reality. Our invitations set the tone for the wedding and vibrant pinks, purples, oranges, yellows, and greens helped create the fun, rustic, summer feel we were looking for. Beth Richards with Exquisite Petals did an amazing job of capturing my floral vision and far surpassing my expectations! From succulent and kumquat filled Kraft cheese boxes to peony filled mason jars our relaxed and romantic vision came together perfectly. My floral arrangements and bouquets were more stunning than I could have ever envisioned and guests raved about the centerpieces all night! To tie in the rustic charm, each table was named after a town in the Hill Country. A close family friend designed and created lots of little touches to make our reception personal and charming including one of my favorite things… the Mr. and Mrs. Burlap pillows placed on the couches by the fireplace.

One of my favorite aspects of planning the wedding was finding the perfect dress. The lace straps that continued onto the back with multiple keyholes sealed the deal! On the big day, I loved the time I got to spend getting ready with my mother and bridesmaids. Putting on the dress for the first time and adding all of the finishing touches definitely brought me to tears! The last final touch was putting my garter on. The garter has been passed down over generations for the past 60 years. It meant so much to me to be able to continue the tradition!

It is so hard to think about one favorite memory, but if I had to choose it would be those final moments before I walked down the aisle. I will really cherish the few minutes I got to spend with my father alone as I waited in anticipation outside the tall double wooden doors of the chapel. We knew after the wedding all we would have would to look back on to relive memories would be our pictures and video so it was imperative that we find the perfect photographer and cinematographer to capture our beautiful day! Forever Photography did such an amazing job of capturing all of the special moments on our wedding day and The Wedding Theater took our breath away with our storybook video! Our wedding day could not have been more perfect!

The number one most important thing I can suggest for a bride-to-be is to hire a wedding coordinator. I enjoyed planning the wedding down to the last detail with my mom, but having Keri Wootton there for the weekend was lifesaving. My wedding weekend was stress free and enjoyable not only for me, but for our entire family!

Photographer: Forever Photography / Wedding Venue: Lost Mission / Cinematographer: The Wedding Theater / Floral Design: Beth Richards with Exquisite Petals / Event Planner: Keri Wootton with Leave the Details to Me / Catering: Debby Stein with CarteWheels Caterers, Inc. / Invitation Designer & Reception Decor: Babette Switzer, Back in the Day Vintage / Makeup: Rhea McCarter / Hair: Lisa Strack and Jaymee Moreno / Transportation: Elegant Limousine / Cake: Seventh Heaven Cakes / Dress Designer: Allure Couture / Dress, Veil, and Jewelry: The Princess Bridal / Bridesmaids Dress: Alfred Angleo / Makeup: Rhea McCarter with Adore Makeup Boutique + Salon

Just when I thought I couldn’t love purple any more than I already do (read: a lot), along comes this darling Hill Country wedding to prove that it’s totally possible.  Turns out that when my fave color is paired with a stunning Vista West Ranch setting and some of the prettiest bouquets you will ever see from Petal Pushers, I CAN love it more – and I’ve never been so happy to be wrong.  Sharon Nicole Photography captured all of the lovely and you can see so much more in the full gallery.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Sharon Nicole Photography… Leah and Daniel’s wedding had unique details that came together beautifully on their wedding day. I loved that Daniel wore a purple shirt and a purple/green tie with suspenders and a khaki suit. It looked sharp while being different from the normal black and white attire that most grooms wear. Leah looked stunning in her gown from Serendipity Bridal, and her bridesmaids glowed in dresses that they chose in different shades of purple. Wedding guests were able to shake tambourines, which doubled as wedding programs, when Leah and Daniel were announced as husband and wife. At the reception, guests were entertained by a DIY photo booth, s’mores, cake and Blue Bell ice cream cups that were covered in purple gingham cloth. The tambourines were also used when Leah and Daniel exited their reception at the end of the night. This wedding was truly a celebration of Leah and Daniel’s love for each other, and it was such an enjoyable experience by all who were privileged to join them.

Wedding Photography: Sharon Nicole Photography / Wedding Venue: Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas / Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Wedding Dress: Wtoo “Marguerite” via Serendipity Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka

There is so much to love about this rustic + vintage Camp Lucy wedding, I’m just not sure where to start. Months of thrifting and crafting culminated in a perfectly themed “country fair” celebration where not a single detail was missed. From the personalized mason jar place cards to the mix + match chairs for the head table, this pretty little number proves that country chic is here to stay. See every last image by Luke and Cat Photography in the full gallery!

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From Luke and Cat Photography… Jana and Clint planned a dream of a Texas rustic vintage wedding. The couple’s engagement happened atop the Ferris wheel at the groom’s small hometown county fair, which sparked the idea for planning their wedding. A stationery ensemble inspired by vintage fair posters, homemade baked goods, DIY elements from many “crafternoons,” farmhouse tables with mismatched chairs and tin goats all played a part in bringing the couple’s old-fashioned county fair vision to life. The fashion was vintage chic, and the color palette was a warm mix of cream, brown and dusty pink. The bride wore her grandmother’s pearls, a borrowed veil from a treasured friend and new blue earrings from her beau. The flower girls were dressed in handmade, one-of-a-kind vintage dresses.

After a heart-felt ceremony performed by the groom’s aunt, friends and family made the short trip over to the open-air stucco pavilion for drinks and appetizers. Sunset rolled in as the cocktail hour began, and guests enjoyed the easy fall breeze along with, at the special request of the groom, a serenade by a traditional South Texas staple … a mariachi band! Instead of a usual seating chart, guests grabbed “place card” mason jars to find their seat and had a designated glass for the night. The reception was the combined vision and work of the bride and groom, and in their own words, “a solid six months of junkin’ which we loved every minute of!” Many trips around Texas flea markets and antique shops brought a bounty of 150+ mason jars, an eclectic mix of vases, wooden milk crates, old frames and doors, suitcases and mail carts. Vintage linens and lace were placed atop long wooden tables, and gorgeous florals completed the tablescape. Different chairs for every seat at the head table made a welcoming focal point for the festivities. Choosing to skip a traditional tiered wedding cake, the couple called on the groom’s mother (a food show baking champion) to create a dessert table adorned with homemade cakes – all baked from scratch! From strawberry bundts to a decadent Italian cream cake, the spread was the talk of the day. A tongue-in-cheek faux bride’s cake was fashioned as the centerpiece of the dessert table using “tiers” scavenged by the bride and groom at local flea markets and antiques stores, just to get the right sizes.

Since no one leaves a county fair empty-handed, at the “spread the love” station, guests were offered homemade favors of pepper jelly and salsa. The groom and his father made the salsa, all with ingredients from the family garden. The mother of the groom made the pepper jelly with her award-winning recipe. The labor of love from the family left guests with the best of both worlds – sweet and spicy! At the end of the night, the sparklers were lit. Friends and family left with memories and homemade goodies, and the couple exited with smiles on their faces and warmth in their hearts.

Wedding Photography: Luke and Cat Photography / Wedding Venue: Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, Texas / Event Planning: Lizze Belle Event Management / Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Officiant: Dellene Blackmore, Aunt of the Groom / Catering: Verdes Mexican Parrilla / Ice Cream: Amy’s Ice Cream / Wedding Invitations: Designed by the Bride & Groom / Guitarist: Earl Bishop, Cousin of the Groom / Mariachi Band: Mariachi Estrella / Entertainment: Texas Unlimited Band / Head Table + Farmhouse Table Rentals: Premier Party Rentals / Miscellaneous Table Rentals: Whim Event Rentals + Petal Pushers / Mismatched Chair Rentals: Petal Pushers / Wedding Dress: David’s Bridal / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: David’s Bridal / Bride’s Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Hair: Brittney Waltrip of Shelby & Co. / Makeup: Benefit Cosmetics via Ulta / Men’s Tuxedos: Al’s Formal Wear

When rustic meets romance at the oh-so-darling Vista West Ranch, it’s like the prettiest thing you’ll ever see.  Especially when there is an adorable duo like this behind the day.  Because these two cuties put together a shindig that would make any wedding lover weak in the knees, complete with vibrant blooms from Petal Pushers and one fab detail after another that just screams personality.  Half Orange Photography captured every last moment perfectly, including the world’s most beautiful ceremony.  See it all here.

Click here for the FULL wedding!

From the Bride… It is all too easy these days for a bride-to-be to get overwhelmed with how fabulous all the wedding ideas on Pinterest and wedding inspiration blogs are. So during our wedding planning, I would have to remind myself that we don’t have to include everything I see into our wedding. Mark and I were planning our wedding during our final semester of grad school at Texas A&M while also studying and sitting for the CPA exam. Because of this, we knew we couldn’t take on too many DIY crafts or decorations for the big day. Instead, we looked for a venue that wouldn’t need very much decorating. We had been to Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs for a few other weddings, and we knew it would be perfect for our special day! Just for fun, we wanted to make things complicated and have our ceremony and reception in the barn, which isn’t necessarily common at VWR – summer in Texas was our main concern! Stacey, owner of VWR and Petal Pushers, exceeded anything I could have imagined for how beautiful the alter decoration turned out – it was so perfect!

We wanted our wedding to be romantic, casual, intimate, and full of love – and it was! We loved how the burlap, lace and gorgeous flowers gave our wedding and reception a rustic yet romantic feel. Our ceremony was so special with lots of tears (of joy of course) and very personal by having my uncle, who both Mark and I are very close to, officiate our wedding. During the planning process, it was so fun for Mark and I to work together on deciding things that would both make us both happy and would be true to who we are. Our wedding included some quirky aspects (first dance as husband and wife to Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and the Zelda shield groom’s cake that made our wedding more about our personalities and not just something from a website that someone else thought of).

So my advice for brides-to-be is to not get overwhelmed with all of the creativity that’s out there. Instead, focus on what will work for you and your fiancé (as far as budget, style, workload, etc.) so that your day will reflect and celebrate the love that you two share!

Wedding Photography: Half Orange Photography / Wedding Venue: Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas / Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Catering: Beth Watson of Our Lady of the Lunch (ourladyofthelunch@gmail.com) / Wedding Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori / Wedding Invitations + Program Design: The Paper Place / DJ: Mike Jarvis / Wedding Dress: Wtoo via Signature Bridal Salon / Makeup: Adore Makeup Boutique + Salon