Texas Weddings

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

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

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

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

Fair warning, Zoe the ‘flower dog’ might just kill you with her cuteness. She’s just one of the many sweet details that are tucked into this Southern soiree from Feather & Twine Photography. Boutonnieres and centerpieces made with cotton from the Bride’s grandparent’s farm, fireplace logs gathered from a sentimental family vacation spot and so much more. See it all here!

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From the beautiful Bride…Jake and I met our freshman year in college. My roommate informed me she invited a guy from her English class to hang out with us one night. When that night came we piled into his truck and went hunting for rabbits. Needless to say after that first night I was immediately attracted to his southern charm and relaxed nature, we were inseparable ever since.

When it came time to pick our venue, we had a hard time figuring out where to tie the knot. With me being from Midland, Texas and Jake being from Sugar Land, Texas we decided to have it right in the middle in Mansfield, Texas. As soon as I saw Classic Oaks Ranch, I knew it was the perfect place for us to get married. It encompassed everything I wanted in a southern wedding from the beautiful reception barn, to the chickens running around in the open fields.

When planning the wedding I wanted to make sure that it captured Jake and I’s styles and personalities. We wanted it to be very personal and not just a cookie-cutter wedding. For example the cotton we used in the flower arrangements and for the guy’s boutonnieres were from my grandparent’s cotton farm, which was something so special to my family. We also used wood logs for the fireplace from Creede, CO where Jake’s family travels to many time a year growing up. But one of the details Jake and I were so excited about was having Jake’s dog, Zoe, as the flower dog. We tried to incorporate as much of “us” as we could in our wedding day. It was such relaxed day with so much joy and celebration. Our guests had no problem cutting it up on the dance floor and singing along with the band. Everyone that was at our wedding made it that much more special, we are so blessed by our friends and family.

A piece of advice I would give to future brides would be, don’t be afraid to slow down and breathe in the moment. It really does go by quickly, so whatever doesn’t go the way you planned it would, which it will, just roll with it. This is such a special time, remember to enjoy it!

Photography: Ruét Photo | Videography: HMH Productions | Event Design: Foster Blue | Florals: Twigs Florals | Cake: Creme De La Creme Cake Company | Catering: Oliver's Fine Foods | Catering: May I Serve U | Makeup: Christie Lee | Hair: Traci & Kelsey Edwards | Ceremony And Reception: Classic Oaks Ranch | Invitations and Programs: Inviting Ink | Music: Serenata Strings | Reception Music: The Motion Band | Rentals: Rental Stop

My inner brave girl is totally dying over this boudoir session.  Well, not just my inner brave girl.  Because this masterpiece of boudoir beauty?  It’s soooo romantic, and soooo lovely.  Think light-filled images from Blush By Katie Lamb, the beauty stylings of Sunkissed And Made Up and gorgeous attire from Salua Lingerie, For Love And Lemons and Eloise By Anthropologie.  Soak it all in right here. 

From Blush By Katie Lamb… I wanted this session to reflect my soft, romantic, and feminine approach to boudoir photography. I choose fabrics and textures that reflected this such as lace and silk, and shot in a simple studio location that wouldn’t take away from the softness and simplicity of the photos. The fabulous hair and makeup team at Sunkissed and Made Up translated my vision perfectly by using neutrals and soft shades of pink.

Photography: Blush By Katie Lamb | Hair And Makeup: Sunkissed And Made Up | Venue: Private Residece | Dot Lace Robe: For Love And Lemons | Gold Feather Crown: Urban Outfitters | Lace Peignoir / Blush Silk Cami & Shorts: Anthropologie | Quilted Blanket: Restoration Hardware | White Lace Romper: Salua Lingerie

I adore spring weddings (ok, so maybe I’m a little biased with my own upcoming nuptials); they’re a breath of fresh air after winter. And this one here is just that plus a hefty dose of pure style. Flora Fetish drenched this venue with gorgeous hydrangeas, roses, and more, and Taylor Lord snapped them all. It’s been a long week already and this gallery is the perfect treat yourself opportunity, so I say, go for it!

From Flora Fetish… We have been dying to share Alex and Matt’s wedding at Camp Lucy with you. It was a dream to work with such a sweet bride and an awesome team of vendors. We loved the simplicity of her big day and how all of her carefully curated details came together. Enjoy!

From The Bride… Matt and I were introduced in 2009 by one of my best friends and bridesmaids, Taylor Trncak. Matt and Taylor are long-time friends and grew up across the street from each other. Their families spent a lot of time together, and they spent many vacations together. Matt and I hit it off from the start and had instant chemistry. We dated for a little over a year, before taking a four-month break. During this time, I realized Matt was who I wanted to be with for the rest of my life, and vice versa. We got back together and knew we were in it for the long haul. After dating another two years, Matt and I got engaged in Napa Valley on March 31, 2013, the day before Easter Sunday. Matt and I consider ourselves “foodies” and enjoy spending time together cooking and trying new restaurants. We love going to Texans games together and traveling to the hill country to Lake LBJ or to Fredricksburg to enjoy the wineries and his family ranch. We love drinking wine together and traveling. We especially love our two dachshunds, Tux and Teddy, who we have a special bond with. We also enjoy skiing together, as well as scuba diving. In general, we share the same passions and philosophies about life and love.

As we started to plan our wedding, we tried to stay mindful of the fact that this day was really about the two of us, and we wanted it to tell our accurately tell our love story. Neither one of us are big on tradition or the “status-quo”, so we didn’t want to do anything out of a sense of obligation. We wanted each part of our Big Day to embody the two of us and to be meaningful, and we tried to keep this in mind throughout the planning process. Neither one of us wanted our wedding day to be too conventional or just be “the Bride’s Day” – we wanted it to equally represent both of us. For this reason, the planning went incredibly smooth and was overall a great experience for both of us.

We had always envisioned our wedding to be sometime in the spring, and somewhere in the Texas Hill Country, as we have spent a lot of time there throughout our relationship and it holds special meaning to us. After only one trip down to Dripping Springs, TX, we knew we wanted our venue to be Camp Lucy. In fact, it was the first and only venue we visited. We were blown away by Ian’s Chapel and the setting that the grounds of Camp Lucy provided, and we knew it would provide the perfect backdrop for our wedding day. We loved that it was rustic and eclectic, yet still elegant and beautiful. We also really loved different ceremony and reception options the venue offered, as we hoped to have the wedding take place both indoor & outdoor. Once we had the venue booked and our wedding date, 4/26/14, everything else fell into place pretty seamlessly.

For the photographer, we picked Taylor Lord because we liked her style and the fact that she focuses on natural-light photography. We wanted everything to be as natural looking as possible and wanted to avoid having things look staged or posed. We also loved how she is more of an editorial photographer, and the fact that she uses film to shoot. Overall, I just loved her style and her body of work, and Matt and I thought she would be perfect considering our venue. We had so much faith in Taylor’s abilities, we didn’t even hire a videographer because we felt like Taylor could adequately capture the day, and she definitely did not disappoint. Matt and I were blown away with how well the photos turned out and how she was able to capture every moment so gracefully and elegantly. She has since gotten national recognition and has really blown up in the last year, so we feel very lucky to have had her as our photographer.

As far as the overall feel, we wanted it to feel rustic, but still elegant, which we later decided to call “rustic luxe.” We didn’t want anything to be too casual or too formal, as we wanted our guests to feel comfortable but yet still like they were at a nice wedding. This theme personifies who Matt and I both are; we love to get dressed up and “glammed-up” for certain occasions, but we are still very down-to-earth people at our core. Once we made the decision to hire the incredibly talented Carrie Beamer with Flora Fetish, the vision and theme of our wedding came together. I considered her my “stylist” as she really helped me pull everything together. After a few meetings, we had come up with a light pink, mint, and gold palette. We wanted to make sure the colors were balanced, and we tried to play up the juxtaposition of the rustic and luxe elements. For example, the ceremony was set outdoors in front of the chapel. I knew I wanted gold chiavari chairs, which really stood out against the rustic, stone elements of the church and the lawn. Matt and I wanted to have a cocktail hour with outdoor acoustic music to welcome our guests while we took pictures, and it turned out beautifully. We placed vintage furniture under the pavillion, and umbrella tables on the pavers outside the pavillion to provide a mix of seating for the guests. We had lawn games set out in the big lawn next to the pavillion, along with passed h’orderves and signature cocktails.

Inside the reception hall, the tables were set with gold candelabras covered in the white and pink floral, gold mercury glass, and vintage farm tables and chairs. It all looked stunning inside of the rustic hall with vaulted and wood beam ceilings.It was absolutely stunning. We ended up having around 200 people, which was the perfect size for us. It was still intimate enough to be able to see and talk to all of our family and friends, but not overwhelming. Matt and I knew we wanted to have stations for our catering, a big dance floor, and plenty of bars. The fact that we really tried to be strategic with the placements of everything inside the reception hall really helped the “flow” of the night. We wanted the tables to be assigned so guests didn’t have to worry about finding a seat.

As for the caterer, this was probably the biggest decision we made during the planning. Above all else, Matt and I wanted the wedding to be a “food” experience for our guests, and we really wanted the food to be a focal point of the night. We didn’t want to have the run-of-the mill food that you typically find at most weddings, and we wanted it to be delicious, most importantly. This is how we decided on Cordua Catering out of Houston, and it was a dream come true to have them for both Matt and I. They are some of the most talented and humble people I have met. David Cordua and Darla Hickman with Cordua helped Matt and I craft a one-of-a-kind menu, featuring South American cuisine with a Southern twist. We had everything from lobster corn dogs and lamp lolli-chops as appetizers, to seafood paella, their signature “churrasco” beef tenderloin carving station, shrimp and grits, ceviche station, and the infamous cutting-edge “salad wall”, which showcased Cordua’s playful and creative side. The food was definitely the highlight of the night, along with the band, and I still have people tell me that it was some of the best food they’ve ever had.

Photography: Taylor Lord Photography | Wedding Dress: Rivini | Cake: Sweet Treats | Shoes: Jimmy Choo | Bridesmaid Dresses: Nordstrom | Bridesmaid Dresses: Arte Latica | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Saks Fifth Avenue | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Bloomingdales | Catering: Cordua Catering | Hair: Miranda McGuire | Band: The Drywater Band | Venue: Camp Lucy | Floral And Design: Flora Fetish | Furniture Rentals: Loot Vintage Rentals | Rentals: Whim Hospitality | Strings: Hill Country Strings

Inspired by her local vendors, Marianne Sabado crafted this perfectly rich inspiration filled with Everly Alaine Florals bouquets and rustic fall centerpieces. Accented with sparkling props amongst the Avalon Legacy Ranch, each detail evokes the impending seasonal shift, while earthy tones of purple and subtle shimmers of pink are reminiscent of a golden summer gone too soon. More here!

From Marianne Sabado Photography… Since Fall has officially started I wanted to put together a styled shoot that transitioned Summer colors into Fall colors. I wanted the shoot to be more earth toned with the the purples and greens as the main color that’s recurring in most of the images from candles, to Kelsey’s (our model) halo, to the flowers, to Ethan’s boutonniere and the paper goods which was all watercolor based made by The Romance Between.

I live in McKinney and our town is very small so I wanted to incorporate some local vendors and highlight their beautiful work. The only vendor who’s work traveled far was the paper goods which came from good ol’ Southern California. McKinney is also surrounded by open land and beautiful ranches and I thought this would be the perfect spot to host the editorial shoot.

Photography: Marianne Sabado Photography | Florals: Everly Alaine Florals | Make Up & Hair: Lisa Arhontidis | Cake & Dessert: Sugar Bee Sweets | Engagement Ring & Jewelry: Nan Lee Jewelry | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Model's Dress: Elizabeth And James | Oxford Shoes: Aldo | Paper Goods: The Romance Between | Rentals: The Prop Marriage | Venue/Location: Avalon Legacy Ranch

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

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

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

I absolutely adore a unique and inspiring venue. They never fail to make my heart pitter patter just a wee bit faster. So this whimsical shoot at San Antonio Zoo captured by Diaz And Diaz Weddings and beautifully designed by Statue Of Design is so up my alley. Trust me, it’s sure to inspire your entire day, and you can see what I mean right here.

From Statue of Design…Inspiration for our photo shoot at the San Antonio Zoo came from a combination of various elements. We had been itching to do a styled shoot at the zoo, but wanted to make sure that our details were cohesive but not overpowering the star attractions at the venue…the animals. With the San Antonio Zoo’s upcoming centennial anniversary, we thought the time was perfect to gather together some of our colleagues and work on a vintage zoo inspired shoot. We worked with Bella Bridesmaids in selecting a muted pastel color palette as a throwback to the vintage “carnival” era. The bridal party featured various floral elements complementing the soft color palettes, from pink to yellow’s and even soft blues. We worked with the team at Spice of Life catering in developing a whimsical themed menu highlighting the catering company’s bold flavors. Our colleagues at Event Ignition highlighted the venue’s unique space with their superior lighting skills, while Luxe Event Décor provided stunning rentals from chameleon chairs to their raj tents. And lastly we worked with Girl General on all of our paper products from invitations to menu, tying in zoo elements as well as paying homage to the vintage theme.

Photography: Diaz And Diaz Weddings | Event Design: Statue of Design | Floral Design: Statue of Design | Wedding Dress: Bella Bridesmaid | Invitations: Girl General | Reception Venue: San Antonio Zoo | Catering: Spice Of Life | Lighting Design: Event Ignition | Rentals: Luxe Event Decor

Little known fact? Cowgirl boots and ballgowns are the quickest way to my country loving heart. Rollicking yet refined, from the DesignII blooms, to peach jam favors, and the clothesline of photos, every aspect of this pasture affair is effortlessly elegant. Korie Lynn snapped up a gallery that is a mixture of familiarity and romanticism, and you can see it all here!

From the beautiful Bride… The groom and I have always been inspired by community, heritage, and travel. When we began to plan our wedding, we considered first, the German and Czech Biergartens that we grew up with in Texas and second, the semester that we studied together in Paris. We ultimately decided on a celebration that was both rowdy and refined—a mixture of familiarity and romanticism, of country and city, of landscape and architecture.

A beer garden is a sort of communal free-for-all, and we wanted to maintain that spirit of sharing at our reception with long farm tables and a local family-style meal. Meanwhile, we equipped the tabletops with vintage champagne coupes and loosely-arranged flowers to give the setting a little edge of effortless French elegance. We also tried to incorporate details from our daily life, like color-coordinated Trivial Pursuit cards reminiscent of those at Henri’s, our favorite French restaurant in Austin, and strands of yellow-tinged globe lights lining the peaks of our pole tent.

We completed countless DIY projects leading up to the wedding, including our stationery and guestbook, our peach jam favors, and our clothesline of photos. Our parents scoured thrift stores for champagne coupes, mismatched vases, and wicker breadbaskets. The groom’s mother even freehanded our menu chalkboards!

For the venue we chose a family farm just west of Brenham, Texas—a small town located halfway between Austin and Houston, where the groom and I grew up, respectively. October is usually the most beautiful month in The Lonestar State, but the morning of our wedding it rained… and rained… and rained. We were beyond relieved when the clouds decided to pull it together just an hour before our first look.

Our ceremony was entirely otherworldly. It was surreal to see his family, my family, and all of our closest friends—some of them from thousands of miles away—all under the same grove of trees. Our photographer perfectly captured the giddiness and whimsy of the day.

Most importantly, we wanted our guests to feel comfortable and relaxed. Our band played a mixture of country, Cajun, Zydeco, and rock n roll that kept everyone grooving all night. Around ten in the evening, some of our distant neighbors overheard the music and came over to join the dance party! We could not have asked for a more welcoming celebration of love and marriage.

Photography: Korie Lynn Photography | Event Planning: DesignII | Floral Design: DesignII | Wedding Dress: Serendipity Bridal | Wedding Dress: Sarah Seven | Cake: Brenham Olde Towne Bakery | Invitations: The Bride & Groom | Wedding Shoes: Kate Spade | Rings: Ravens' Refuge | Bridesmaids' Dresses: J.Crew | Catering: DesignII | Makeup: Thyme Day Spa & Salon | Hair: Thyme Day Spa & Salon | Band: The Stringbenders | Groom's Attire: Capra And Cavelli | Groomsmen's Attire: J.Crew | Wedding Venue: Private Residence: The Miller Farm | Groomsmen's Attire (Ties): Tux And Tulle | Wedding Boots: Lucchese Boots

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What happens when you pair organic minimalism and the rich shades of autumn? This Dallas affair captured through the lens of Nicole Berrett – that’s what. Complete with DIYed centerpieces, a quirky-cool backdrop and beautiful textured centerpieces by Dirt Design Studio, it’s a modern bride’s dream come true and every last bit is waiting right here.

From The Bride…The simplicity and beauty of fall florals is what inspired our wedding. I’ve always loved the color of fall portrayed in flowers. Fall colors and flowers are really beautiful just on their own, so having them be the main theme/decoration was easy because they don’t need anything but themselves to stand out.

Our colors were all based on fall flowers. We wanted to embrace the colors of fall in with deep reds to whimsical Texas wildflowers. To incorporate the fall colors we used a backdrop for the ceremony for Yeti and the Beast that had beautiful bunting with fresh garland and florals. For the reception we used potted plants as the centerpiece and Dirt Design added vintage bottles with stemmed flowers around it for a little added touch.

I was surprised by how little we had to DIY for the wedding because we kept the florals and centerpieces simple. We dip-dyed all of our wooden forks to add a little pop of color to the dining ware.

The centerpieces were the most difficult decision for me because I didn’t want to spend a fortune on flowers that I can’t use or put to use after the wedding. So, thanks to Pinterest, I got inspiration to use potted plants for the centerpieces so my husband and I could make a garden after the wedding. The week of the weeding the bridesmaids and I went shopping for herbs, succulents and potted plants at Home Depot and potted them the day before the wedding to ensure they were fresh and healthy!

My favorite part of the day was right after the ceremony. Noe and I got the holding room all to ourselves for just a few moments. It was so peaceful and refreshing to just have some time together, uninterrupted to celebrate our marriage before anyone else came in. It is also a feeling like none other to know that all of your dearest family and friends are all in one place to celebrate you and your husband! I kept thinking, “everyone is here, EVERYONE!” It was such a sweet feeling!!

Photography: Nicole Berrett Photography | Florist: Dirt Flowers | Bride's Shoes: Urban Outfitters | Hair & Makeup: Osgood Oneil Salon | DJ: Le Force Entertainment | Groom's Attire: Express | Brides Dress: David's Bridal | Cake Topper: Etsy | Cakes And Pies: Zenzero Bakery | Ceremony & Reception: Lofty Spaces | Glassware: Anthropologie | Paper Goods: Yeti & The Beast | Wedding Backdrop: Yeti & The Beast

Marriage is a masterpiece. It’s growing old together, hand-in-hand, while two souls work together as one. It’s a hand-painted work of art that takes time, patience, passion, hard work, and an endless amount of love. And this darling duo? Well, they’re the perfect example. Captured through the lens of their granddaughter Shalyn Nelson, this 63 year old love story will remind you what Valentine’s Day is all about.

 

From Shalyn Nelson… This is simply a reminder to the world from the lens of a granddaughter who adores her grandparents and the love they share. I want to put hope and the true meaning of marriage back into the beating hearts around the globe. We are living, breathing and experiencing a world of instant gratification and noncommittal tendencies. We are so wrapped up in seeing the “instant-polariod pictures”, and not the huge hand-painted masterpiece of marriage that takes time, patience, passion, attention to detail, and hard work. What happened to being together forever? Why does our world look down on marriage so much now? It breaks my heart and even though I am ONE person…I have felt called to somehow, someway make a change. Nobody is perfect, but LOVE…LOVE is why we are here. Love is real, it’s unique for everyone and it has the power to change our world if we let it.

Marriage should be forever. It’s finding that person you pick to love and yet, drive you crazy, day in and day out. It’s more than color schemes, gorgeous gowns, perfectly crafted tables capes, and the perfect shoes. It’s growing old, hand in hand, wrinkle after wrinkle. It’s taking two heartbeats and working together to make one. It’s letting love win, always, no matter what.

Whomever is reading this…This right here is my heart. This right here is the most important thing I have ever been a part of and put together. As you read this, I am over here behind the scenes pouring out blood, sweat and tears into this passion project. I’m calling it Love, The Nelsons Project. I’m ready to show lovers around the world that true love still exists. There are so many love stories that we don’t know of out there waiting to be shared. The hard ones, big ones, small ones, beautiful ones, and stories that can change our lives and the way we view marriage. This is my pledge and my mission to find these stories and to document them over the course of the next year.

I want to put together something truly special…so here it goes! My goal is to compile a book of old love stories and that’s where I am asking for your help. I will travel to these couples, sit down and listen to their stories, interview them, and will photograph them together. Do you know of someone who has a love story that is worth knowing about? One that is worth sharing with the world to inspire, and that will help instill the true value and purpose of marriage back into our lives? The sky is the limit here! If I can impact one…just ONE marriage, ONE woman or man who are seeking their forever…my mission in life will be fulfilled. Help me tell these stories. Please e-mail me at hello@lovethenelsons.com and put “LTN Project- Old Love” in the subject line. I look forward to hearing from you!

There is so much more that I want to share here in this space, but please follow along my journey on instagram at @shalynnelson. Our hashtag will be #lovethenelsonsproject #oldlovebook

My grandparents have been married for 63 years. My Papaw planted a rose bush outside of their bedroom window when they built their house. He has always said, “Billie Wanda is the rose of my life…But it does have a few thorns here and there…”, which is the reason he’s holding a bushel of roses in some of the photos… :)

And to end this post, I’ll quote my Papaw…

“Walking through life together, but the trail’s getting short.”

Photography: Shalyn Nelson | Florals: Bristol Lane Florals | Wedding Dress: The Ivy Retreat | Venue: Hidden Lake Ranch | Couple/Grandparents: Love, The Nelsons | Film Scans: PhotoVision Prints | Make-Up And Hair: Makenzi Laine | Project: Love, The Nelsons

Color fanatics, this wedding is out to prove that all-neutral color palettes can be anything but boring. Layered in taupes, ivories and grays, it’s what happens when a couple sets out to plan a timeless Sunday wedding with a healthy dose of Southern elegance and grace. Loft Photography captured the day in all its gorgeous splendor, and the film by Wes Raitt is like icing on the cake.

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From Loft Photographie LLC…Rachael and Bryce had the most romantic Sunday wedding at Stonehouse Villa, a gorgeous venue nestled in the Texas hill country. We adore so many things about this wedding – the bride’s gown, her heirloom veil, the neutral florals (curated by the bride & her bridesmaids), and the intimate tented reception – to name a few! We love how they kept their day simple, yet timeless, capitalizing on the natural beauty of their surroundings.

Photography: Loft Photography LLC | Videography: Wes Raitt Photography | Floral Design: Austin Flower Market | Wedding Dress: Second Summer Bride | Cake: Whole Foods Market Preston | Shoes: Tory Burch | Hair: Callie Driskill Of Jose Luis Salon | Band: Warren Hood | Groom's Attire: The Black Tux | Venue: Stonehouse Villa | Bartending: Urban Bartenders | Earrings: Buckingham Palace | Film Processing: PhotoVision Prints | Paper: OhSoLovely Via Etsy | Tie: The Tie Bar

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Bursting with Bows And Arrows blooms, this desert inspo is a welcomed winter escape. Marfa is highly ranked on my Bucket List and NBarrett Photography has only increased my wanderlust. A culture of talented artists (with a penchant for the mystic) adds to the the dynamic flair, and that Cakewalk Bake Shop confection is designed so deliciously that I’ll be coming back for more here!

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From Emily Allen of Cakewalk Bake Shop… The current artisan trend that is championing ceramics, weaving, leather craft and woodworking speaks to the very undercurrent that makes Marfa so fascinating and dynamic – the strong culture of talented makers and artists with a flair for the mystic. We used this as our direct inspiration, with a focus on intimacy, artisanal craft, and the raw, earthy materials employed beautifully throughout town structures – quartz fencing, handmade leather furniture, adobe homes. We married the marbling motif, used in the floral vessels, the calligraphy suite, and the cake, with a terra-cotta palette to create an interesting juxtaposition that’s at the core clean and artful, but also warm and earthy. The focus on raw materials honor the breathtaking landscape that is the truly what draws us all to Marfa and by designing with neutrals, it makes the breathtaking skies and rugged landscape that much more vibrant, allowing for gorgeous, iconic images of a couple in love in the middle of a mystical desert.

Photography: N Barrett Photography | Styling: Cake Walk Bake Shop | Styling: Bows and Arrows | Floral Design: Bows and Arrows | Cake: Cake Walk Bake Shop | Invitations: Blue Eye Brown Eye | Ceremony Venue: Marfa Ballroom | Ceremony Venue: Corte Del Norte | Jewelry: The Gypsy Wagon | Hair & Makeup: Salon Americana | Ceremony/reception: The Capri | Guest Favor: Marfa Brands | Rentals: Garza Marfa | Rocks: Moonlight Gemstones | Video: Kelly Christine Films | Wedding Dress Shop: The Dress Theory

Let’s talk about bridesmaid dress shopping for a moment, shall we?  That weekend when you and your besties bop around trying to find that perfect gown that totally fits your vision AND looks great on every.single.girl in your bridal party.  It starts out as fun, but after the third salon, well, you know how it goes.  Enter Brideside, the online boutique that makes shopping for bridesmaids seriously easy and fun.

With Brideside, that amazing gown is right at your fingertips.  And by “fingertips,” I mean online and ready to be shipped directly to you at home to try on.  Think designers such as Joanna August, Watters, Alfred Angelo, Donna Morgan, Jenny Yoo (and more) in hundreds of gorgeous colors and styles.  That means one happy bridesmaid after another looking completely chic on the big day.  And don’t even get me started on the fabulous customer service.  Your Brideside stylist will work with you and your bridal party to find that dress that is everything you’ve ever wanted and ship the samples to you for a laid-back + totally stress-free girl’s day at home.

So what are you waiting for, loves?  Visit the Brideside website TODAY to get started with your personal stylist.  And don’t forget this exclusive discount for SMP readers: When you buy your bridesmaid dress in February, the first $20 is on Brideside!  Use discount code “SMP20” at checkout. (Terms & Conditions: Cannot be combined with any past or future promotions. Readers must purchase bridesmaid dress at full price on or before 2/28/15. Offer does not apply to the following designers: Joanna August, Donna Morgan, Jenny Yoo.)

We’re getting a good ol’ dose of the fluffy white stuff again today here in Boston and all I can do is dream my heart away over somewhere warm and full of love. A place like Camp Lucy, where this fall fete is touched with a warm Southwestern breeze and darling vintage details galore. Allie Lindsey stood behind her pretty lens and snapped sooo much goodness that you can cozy up to right here.

From Allie Lindsey Photography…This was an incredible wedding taken that took place in the foothills of Austin, TX at the most breathtaking wedding venue, Camp Lucy Sacred Oaks. It was a destination wedding for the bride and groom and the photographers. The whole day was so beautiful down to every single detail. The bride has the most impeccable taste and took everyones breathe away in her beautiful vintage inspired wedding dress. The day was truly a fairy take, especially when the bride and groom saw each other for the first time and spoke only in french to each other.

Photography: Allie Lindsey Photography | Event Planning: Camp Lucy | Floral Design: Whim Hospitality | Wedding Dress: Vintage | Wedding Dress: Essense of Australia | Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori | Bridesmaids' Dresses: David's Bridal | Catering: Whim Catering | Makeup: Cakes To Di For | Groom's Suit: J.Crew | Groomsmen's Attire: Groomsmen's Own | Wedding Venue: Camp Lucy | Custom Cake Topper: Better Off Wed | Film Processing: Richard Photo Lab | Robes: Silk And More | Saxophone Quartet: Hill Country Strings

Every now and then you come across those couples whose joy jumps right off the page. The bride and groom who couldn’t stop smiling if they tried, and in this case, an amazing photographer named Taylor Lord there to document it all. It’s a day built on laid back charm – with two miniature ponies thrown into for good measure – and the party goes on the gallery right here.

From Lindsey Brunk…With infectious smiles and a love that touched everyone involved, Heidi & John’s wedding was joyful in every sense of the word. They celebrated with friends and family at The Settlement, a sprawling new venue in San Antonio. Heidi & John wanted glamour and romance, but with laid back charm. Heidi’s three sisters served as her maids of honor while John’s dad was his best man.

After an emotional ceremony, the party kicked off with prickly pear margaritas and two very special guests, white miniature ponies to celebrate the bride’s love of horses.

One of the many personal details of their Big Day was their sweetheart table for the reception. Heidi’s dad Dave tracked down the very table they sat at on their first date in Austin at a little Italian cafe and surprised the couple with it as an engagement present. It now serves as their kitchen table in their new home.

Other details of their big day included gold hand painted succulents as favors, ceremony music by John’s band, and the invitation suite custom made by a family friend to include a watercolor of the ceremony tree by the bride.

Photography: Taylor Lord Photography | Event Planning: Lindsey Brunk | Floral Design: Botanika | Cakes: Cathy Young | Bride's Shoes: Marc DeFang | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Ann Taylor | Groomsmen's Ties: Suitsupply | Groom's Suit: Jos. A. Bank | Groomsmen's Attire: Jos. A. Bank | Ceremony Music: The Friendly Savages (the Groom's Band!) | Wedding Venue: The 1850 Settlement | Bride's Dress: JLM Couture, Inc | Bride's Hair: Annette At Pure Posh Salon | Groom's Ties: Suitsupply | Mini Ponies: Sturchio Entertainment | Reception Band: The Drywater Band

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

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

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

An elegant fall wedding will forever capture my attention and with Terilyn & Koby Brown’s gorgeous pics, this one doesn’t disappoint. But what makes it even more amazing is that this was all planned in two months. Two months to create this show-stopper, complete with one of my favorite bouquets yet and one stunner of a cake. I’m in awe and I’ll be taking notes – and pinning pretty pics – for the rest of today.

From Terilyn & Koby Brown… What a beautiful outdoor tented event on the bride’s family estate! Love the bride’s cascading bouquet, and the twinkle lights behind the cake made for dreamy images! Want to know how to get the single guys to really TRY to catch the garter?? Put it on a football!! Stephanie and James planned such a fun and elegant event in a very short timeframe. While I’m sure it was a challenge to get everything lined up in just a few short months, the plus side is they condensed all the wedding planning stress to those few months instead of extending it over a year.

From The Bride… James and I were ready to be married. We knew it was right, and wanted to start our life together. While I didn’t want to spend too much time obsessing over details, I still wanted a grand celebration with a lifetime of beautiful memories.

For me, it was very important to have the photographer and DJ that I wanted at the wedding. There was only one day in the relatively near term that both the photographer and DJ had available which set our date. The date we set gave us two months to prepare for our wedding.

Every article I read or checklist I downloaded recommended about a year of planning before the big day, so I was nervous about whether or not we could really pull it off in time. Everything really came together and started moving forward quickly once we had officially set the date and sent out invitations. The compressed timeline actually made it easier to finalize decisions… Once new details were determined it was time to move forward and focus on something else. Our compressed schedule, which didn’t allow the luxury of second guessing decisions, made the process less stressful. In the end, all of our service providers and vendors were amazing resources, and helped us to produce a wedding far more beautiful and fun than I could have ever imagined regardless of the amount time we had planning.

Photography: Koby Brown Photography | Floral Design: Flora & Eventi | Wedding Dress: Enzoani | Cake: Who Made The Cake! | Stationary: Invitation Solutions | Shoes: Badgley Mischka | Bridesmaids' Dresses: Jenny Yoo | Caterer: Bailey Conner | Make Up And Hair: Makeup Texas | Venue: Family Estate | Tent: Houston Party & Tent | Day-of Coordinator: Soireebliss! Events | Music: Signature Eventx