Texas Weddings

It’s time to talk about pretty, pretty brides for a moment, lovelies.  More specifically, pretty brides named Marisa who happen to be the highest bidder on a seriously amazing bridal shoot package from the oh-so-talented Ben Q. Photography.  A package that includes the serious design skills of Birds of a Feather, beauty by Kendra Gregory, a yummy (+ gorg) cake from Sugar Bee Sweets and a to-die-for bouquet from Bows + Arrows.  Yep… she’s savvy, too.  And the day she won?  Well, it will most definitely go down in SMP history with one image after another of pure lovely.  See it all right here.

From Ben Q. Photography… Marisa actually won a styled bridal shoot with us at a charity auction. She was the highest bidder on a prize that included a bridal photo shoot with us, styling and concept design with Birds of a Feather Events and makeup and hair by Kendra Gregory. The theme was earthy and ethereal mixed with fantasy elements inspired by “The Hunger Games”. A tablescape was set up in a wooded area with whimsical books hanging from the branches. Marisa also wore two dresses for this shoot. The first was a lacy, vintagy gown and the second was a custom created asymmetrical dress. 

Photography: Ben Q. Photography / Styling & Design: Birds of a Feather / Hair & Makeup: Kendra Gregory / Wedding Cake: Sugar Bee Sweets / Floral Design: Bows + Arrows / Venue: 3825 S. Bowen / Bride’s Gowns: Atelier Aimee + J. Mendel

I’ve never actually been to the lovely city of Austin, but from the looks of every single wedding we feature from this pretty spot in Texas, I need to make plans to visit ASAP.  Plans that include a stop at the Duchman Family Winery, which just so happens to be the pretty host of this breathtaking affair captured by Forever Photography.  A breathtaking affair that features two seriously stunning sweethearts, gorgeous blooms by Petal Pushers and a whole lot of perfect planning by Wedding Warriors.  See it all in the full gallery.

From the Bride… It seems that I had to move across the country to Texas in order to meet the man of my dreams, even though we both were born and raised in Columbus, Ohio. Rob and I met 5 days after I moved to Austin, knowing no one in the city! It seems that all the while we were practically spinning circles around each other, our connections running deep. We met in August and got engaged in February. Being a conscientious and calculated person, this sure was out of character for me. But I was sure that I was sure.

Seeing as how our love story began in Austin, I wanted to have our wedding there, so our family and friends would get to know us as a couple. I imagined celebrating outdoors with a laid back, rustic, vintage-y Texas Hill Country affair with soft colors and great food. My planner, Christina Lewis of Wedding Warriors, was an absolute godsend as I planned a wedding with family afar. What helped make our wedding fantastic was hiring a team of phenomenal vendors. Our day went seamlessly with their help.

God could not have created a more beautiful day for us. I will always remember reading our personalized vows during our ceremony. We each wrote vows that were unique and genuine to us. I am so glad that I took a little extra time to make our wedding personal. Being showered with lavender as we walked down the aisle. Reading our “advice” in the form of MadLibs. Dancing with friends family to “We are Young” at the very end of the night. These are the things I will remember.

What blew me away was an overwhelming feeling of being surrounded by love and support. To know that so many people had traveled so far, from all across the country and even internationally, I am forever grateful. As I remember this day, see these beautiful pictures, and watch our film, my heart overflows.

Wedding Photography: Forever Photography / Wedding Cinematographer: Nostalgia Film / Wedding Venue: Duchman Family Winery in Driftwood, Texas / Getting Ready Location: The Driskill Hotel in Austin, Texas / Wedding Coordination: Wedding Warriors / Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Catering: Crave Catering / Dessert: Polkadots / Table Rentals: Hill Country Event Rentals / DJ: Byrne Rock / Cake Topper + Dessert Table Bunting: Atcompanyb / Custom Madlibs: Myaugustpress / Favors: DIY by the bride / Wedding Invitations: Minted / Wedding Dress: La Sposa “Manacor” / Alterations: Carter Creations (512.450.1143) / Shoes: TopShop / Bride’s Earrings: Kendra Scott / Bride’s Bracelet: Handmade by Bride’s Mother / Bride + Bridesmaids’ Robes: Plum Pretty Sugar / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Their Choice / Rings: Calvins Jewelry / Groom’s + Groomsmen’s Ties: Men’s Wearhouse / Hair: Anna Alvarez / Makeup: Maris Malone Calderon

This wedding is pure fairy tale romance a-la Texas Hill Country. Not only is the couple drop dead gorgeous, but each and every vintage chic detail of their day is total perfection. Benfield Photography captured each beautiful moment and you can see it all right here in the full gallery!

From the Bride…This is the story of a red headed mountain man and a southern fashionista/blogger living in a big city. We (Signe & Chad) met in the smoky mountains of Tennessee. He lived in Los Angeles at the time, and she in Dallas, Texas. They spent a few days together guiding a trip for her company, and instantly clicked. He went back to LA and she to Dallas….but he was insistent in his pursuit. Many love letters with clues to treasure hunts, Shakespeare poems, late night phone calls and trips back and forth to each of their states….and they fell in love. Hard.

He moved back to his roots (Texas) to be with her, and a few months later, on Christmas morning….he proposed to her before dawn in an old cabin on his parent’s property. It glowed with the light of dozens of candles in old glass jars, and all of the love letters he had ever written to her (of course she’d kept them!) tacked up onto the back wall. She said yes, and with that, the wedding planning began…

Fast forward seven months. We were married on July 7th, 2012 in Dripping Springs, Texas at Vista West Ranch. It was a magical setting, and fit both of our personalities perfectly. We wed in front of a rustic barn, with the view of the Texas Hill Country just beyond the altar. He is a mountain man, and she a lover of all things vintage. Together, we created a ceremony that embodied both.

We included a Shakespearean sonnet that he recites to her often, and her brothers played Mumford and Sons Wedding Band “I take your hand” as the newlyweds smiled down the aisle as husband and wife. The music was folksy and eclectic, and the food was from one of their favorite lunch spots. There were yard games, etched “hillbilly wine glasses” for the bridal party, vintage knick knacks, postcard table settings with a note on the back of each state in which the couple had a lasting memory, a candy bar, and monogrammed pie pops. We could go on and on, but we will let the pictures tell the story.

Wedding Photography: Benfield Photography / Wedding Venue: Vista West Ranch in Drippings Springs, Texas / Floral Design + Decor: Petal Pushers / Wedding Coordinator: Casey Whitlock from Coordinate This / Wedding Cake + Pie Pops: Austin Cake Studio / Catering: Whole Foods / Bartending: Served Bartending / Decor: DYI by the Bride / Wedding Dress: Watters / Wedding Belt: Lewisville Bridal Boutique / Bride’s Shoes: Ruche / Bride’s Crown: DIY by the Bride / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Urban Outfitters / Groom + Groomsmen Attire: Banana Republic + Calvin Klein / Groomsmen Suspenders: The Vintage Parlor / Hair: Kristin Schutz from Salon Pompeo / Makeup: Adrienne Pitkin

I know this pretty much goes without saying, but there’s nothing quite like a bright, yellow hue to add the perfect dose of happy to your Big Day.  Not that this darling Austin duo needed it, mind you.  Their smiling faces are delivering enough happy to last a decade (literally), but prop their downright adorableness up against a sunshiny backdrop like this one planned to perfection by Pearl Events Austin and it’s like the best day ever with amazing blooms from Bouquet of Austin and one lovely image after another captured by Concept Photography.  See every last one in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Initially, I was trying to find the right color for the wedding, and the color I kept coming back to was yellow, and BRIGHT yellow at that. I would describe it as “happy, sunshine yellow.”  Soon, though, I was figuring what color complements yellow, and then I kept thinking grey. Then, that soon molded the bright, sunshine yellow, to more of a deep, mustard yellow and thought it had such a rustic feel to it, so I started going down that route. I didn’t go completely rustic, but I did want some rustic flair to the wedding.  Even though it was a pain, the DIY was probably my favorite, such as the Photo Booth poster, the party favor tags, and escort cards. A lot of the guest said they appreciate all the personal touches we did.

Wedding Photography: Concept Photography / Wedding Venue: Vintage Villas in Austin, Texas / Wedding Coordinator: Jessica Brightwell from Pearl Events Austin / Floral Design: Bouquet of Austin / Officiant: Scott Payne from The Knot Tyer / Wedding Cake: Sugar Mama’s Bake Shop / DJ: Complete Music / Invitations + Programs: Inviting Affairs / Photo Booth: Central Texas J-Booth / Transportation: Capital Pedicab / Hair + Makeup: Lucie Marie

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.

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)

This Jenny Packham gown has been dancing in my dreams since the moment I set sight on this pretty Austin party from Q Weddings at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. It’s basically my dream dress, and it couldn’t be more fitting for this gorgeous Bride and her envy-worthy big day. It was all perfectly put together thanks to Three Apples Events and Rosehip Flora – leaving us with a stunning gallery to fawn over. See it all here.

From Suzi of Q Weddings… Katie and Andy’s rustic and elegant wedding was held at the architecturally unique Ladybird Johnson Wildflower in Austin. The gardens and surrounding areas contain native plant life, including big oak trees. Katie and Andy love Austin and spend as much time there as possible, including getting engaged under a big oak tree, which they call “our tree.” They currently live in Houston but knew they had to introduce their friends and family to the wonderful city of Austin.

The decor included vintage mismatched plates, pastel damask linens, and floral centerpieces in corrugated tin vases. The flowers were a mix of succulents and pastel/chartreuse florals. Rosehip Flora does stunning florals and their creations, along with the tableware, made this wedding unique and beautiful. The reception was held outdoors under the beautiful May skies of Texas. Austin is known as a live music capital, so it’s no surprise that the band, Memphis Train Revue, carried the reception to another level. 

The bride wore a Jenny Packham gown with art deco detailing, and the groom wore a tux. The guests also wore evening attire, which was a nice contrast to the outdoor relaxed surroundings of the venue. 

Wedding Photography: Q Weddings / Wedding Venue: Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas / Event Coordination: Three Apples Events / Floral Design: Rosehip Flora / Catering: Word of Mouth Catering / Cupcakes: Sugar Mama’s Bakeshop / Band: Memphis Train Revue / Vintage Plates + Linen Rentals: Loot Vintage Rentals / Wedding Dress: Jenny Packham

This rustic + elegant Hill Country wedding from Geoff Duncan has me seriously wishing I’d gotten an invitation myself!  The couple rented out the Inn Above Onion Creek for their guests to stay and enjoy the weekend, giving family + friends a chance to experience a true taste of Texas! From start to finish, this one’s good…real good! Meet me in the full gallery to see it all.

From the Bride… Evan proposed to me outside, in the Texas countryside so it seems fitting that we spend our special day in the Hill Country, outside under the Texas sky. We knew we wanted a very intimate wedding with close family and friends. The Inn Above Onion Creek in Kyle, Texas was the perfect setting to accomplish this. We rented the entire Inn and guest houses which are nestled on 100 acres of land with sweeping views of the Texas Hill Country. The property truly felt like our own Texas Hill Country Oasis. 

Our theme was rustic elegance with Navy and Copper being the two focal colors. Copper lanterns, mercury glass candleholders, and subtle peacock designs were integrated into our décor. Our DIY décor was a labor of love for the entire family. From my mother making our beautiful table arrangements with Sola wood flowers and peacock feathers, to my grandmother hand stringing Sola wood flower garland for the oak tree, and my uncle hand carving the wedding sign on wood from our family Inn.

We wanted our loved ones to experience a little taste of Texas. Our guests were welcomed with a bottle of Texas wine in their suites. Ghost pepper chocolate truffles made from a local chocolatier, glass spice jars filled with Salt Lick BBQ seasoning, homemade spiced nuts, and lavender seed sachets were all part of our guests Texas goodie bags.

Evan and I chose a sweeping oak in the garden for the backdrop to exchange our hand written vows. We were drawn to the oak trees symbolism of strength, endurance and deep roots so it seemed fitting to unite under its canopy among our loved ones. Our hope was that the reception would feel like our own backyard party with a relaxed, fun vibe. Our guests dined under the tent outfitted with globe lights while the Inn’s dog and cats sat looking from the large porch. Evan and I have a passion for live music so it was a priority to find an amazing live band. With the help of Geoff, our photographer, we found Tiffany Christopher Band, complete with stand-up bass. The band learned and played all our favorite music from Ray Lamontagne, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros “Home”, to our first dance song “Lovely Tonight” by Joshua Radin. The band kept our friends and family dancing on the Inn’s porch until the end of the night. The day was beyond perfect and Evan and I felt truly blessed being able to share our special day with all our loved ones.

Wedding Photography: Geoff Duncan / Second Photographer: Ryan Klintworth / Wedding Venue: Inn Above Onion Creek in Kyle, Texas  / Wedding Planner: Rachael Moise / Floral Design: Central Market / Linen Rental: Marquee Event Group / Band: Tiffany Christopher Band / Wedding Dress: Carolina Herrera / Hair + Makeup: Mindy Orsak

 

We celebrate love every single day here on SMP, but today we raise our glasses just a tad bit higher. Because on Valentine’s Day, a day where warm and fuzzies are the norm and pink reigns supreme, we find ourselves completely swept up in it all.  So we shall celebrate in the way we know how – by cozying up with a seriously gorgeous fête from Jennifer Lindberg Weddings. This wedding is the epitome of style doing the prettiest dances with love, and it’s the perfect way to ring in this holiday. Get swept up in it right here.

For another peek into all the pretty, this film from Re:Life Films is a must see…

Megan + Chris / Trailer Film from Re:Life Films on Vimeo.

From the Bride… Chris and I got married on November 10th 2012 after being together 6 years! I grew up in Austin, Texas, and Chris grew up in Barrington, Rhode Island, but we both live in Washington, DC. We both agreed Austin would be the perfect spot for the wedding. Chris’s entire family had never been to Texas, and several of our DC friends were dying to experience Austin. We also knew we would have a fall wedding since Chris was very vocal about not sweating on his wedding day, and was not keen on the Texas heat. I am not wild about Fall colors, so I immediately chose a very neutral color palette, hoping to bring in some metallic accents. I pictured ivory, white, blush, light grey, champagne, pale gold, and a subtle shade of periwinkle.

I am a buyer at boutique in DC, so I work closely with Shoshanna, and wanted my bridesmaids to wear all her dresses. I picked a few different bodies in those colors for them to choose from. I gave my sister, and maid of honor, a beautiful white dress that had beading on the shoulder that tied in all the colors. I loved how three of my bridesmaids were pregnant, yet were still able to wear their dresses! My mom found a gorgeous long, pewter sequin dress by Jenny Packham that unexpectedly fit into the color scheme. One of my favorite touches from the décor were the chevron sequin table linens I found from LaTavola linens! They lit up the entire ballroom!

It was very important to both Chris and I to get married in a church. We both grew up Catholic, and chose to have the ceremony at St. Austin’s Church downtown. The reception was close by at the Four Seasons. I didn’t want the reception to be a typical ballroom wedding, so I really tried to work with the room, and make it unique. We were able to transform the room with draping on the walls, and hues of soft pink lighting cascading the room. The flowers exceeded my expectations. The arrangements were flush with whites, accented by soft pink Roses and Peonies. Guests left with a custom sketch of their backside by the famous Butt Sketch artist. I framed the one Chris and I got!

We had little touches throughout the wedding weekend to incorporate Rhode Island into Texas. Chris’s mom had koozies made that said “Don’t Mess with Rhode Island Either!”, and it showed the small state of Rhode Island inside the giant state of Texas. We chose our signature drink to be a “Light & Stormy” which was Ginger Beer + Tito’s Vodka + lime. The groom’s cake was a donut cake tower, lined with coffee, glazed, caramel, and chocolate donuts! My favorite memory at the end of the night was Chris and I on stage signing Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” on stage. I am still deliriously happy with the entire wedding planning, and can honestly say I could do it all over again!

Wedding Photography: Jennifer Lindberg Weddings / Ceremony Venue: St. Austin’s Church in Austin, Texas / Wedding Reception: The Four Seasons in Austin, Texas / Wedding Planning: 36th Street Events / Floral Design: Posey Events / Wedding Cinematography: Re:Life Films / Linen Rental: LaTavola Linens / Chair Rental: Marquee / Draping: Townsley Designs / Lighting: Ilios Lighting / Band: SoulSations / Harpist: Amanda Woosley / Cigar Rollers: Bobalu / Wedding Invitations: Smock via Dandelion Patch / Wedding Stationery: The Paper Place / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Sash: Anne Barge / Bride’s Shoes: Christian Louboutin / Bride’s Earrings: Van Cleef & Arpels / Bridesmaid’s Attire: Shoshanna / Mother of Bride Attire: Jenny Packham / Groom’s Attire: Custom Made / Groomsmen Attire: Vera Wang via Men’s Wearhouse / Hair + Makeup: Jackson Ruiz Salon

Music and food.  Two ingredients guaranteed to liven up any wedding.  So, when this adorable duo made the decision to build their day around those oh-so-wonderful components, they knew just what they were doing.  Together with the help of Royal Fig Catering and three (yes, THREE!) amazing bands, they crafted a wedding that was chock-full of good eats, yummy cocktails and a whole lot of don’t stop ’til you drop dancing.  What a fabulous way to celebrate.  Check out every gorgeous moment captured by Geoff Duncan in the full gallery.

From the Bride… Grant and I wanted our wedding to be inclusive of our far-flung friends and families but also very personal. We chose the Hill Country outside of Austin, our former home, as the destination for our guests to gather and celebrate our marriage. We were hoping for a sophisticated but subtle Mexican feel as a nod to my roots and a focus on two things: Music and Food.

For the food, our friends at Royal Fig Catering served a fantastic family-style menu with refined but comforting dishes like porchetta-style pork loin with gorgonzola roasted mushrooms. As cocktail enthusiasts, they allowed us to create some original cocktails and contributed a few new recipes of their own (hello Guavaritas!) to the cocktail menu.

The music came in three acts: A string quartet which played contemporary hits during a pre-ceremony champagne hour and during the ceremony, a mariachi band which played during the traditional cocktail hour, and a country/variety band for the reception. We are very grateful that we could include so much music during the event! I especially love the contrast between the traditional instruments of the string band and their playful contemporary arrangements, like Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream,” the unique celebratory charm of mariachi, and the excitement of a live band at a reception.

Our first dance was to “Bless the Broken Road,” and on that theme, we named each table after a street or place that was connected in some way to its occupants or to our eight year history together. All of our place cards and paper goods were done in a talavera (Mexican tile) style. The events hall was styled by our event planner and Ilios lighting to feel like a “romantic candle-lit dinner in a hacienda,” creating such a warm environment in which to be with our loved ones. We could not have been happier with the evening.

Wedding Photography: Geoff Duncan / Wedding Venue: Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs, Texas / Wedding Planning: Weddings by Kennedy / Catering: Royal Fig Catering / Pie: Royers Round Top Cafe / Lighting: Ilios Lighting / String Band: Strings Attached / Mariachi Band: Mariachi Tamazula / Reception Band: Texas Unlimited Band / Paper Goods: Lizzy B Loves / Wedding Dress: Monique Lhuillier / Bride’s Shoes: Marc by Marc Jacobs / Bride’s + Bridesmaids’ Jewelry: Kendra Scott / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique / Bridesmaids’ Sashes: BHLDN / Men’s Attire: Indochino / Groom’s Tie: Paul Smith / Makeup: Kandy Glass from FaceKandy

This DIY-inspired, budget-friendly + totally sustainable fête is oh so up my alley. The incredibly creative bride scoured SMP for ideas and inspiration that would highlight the gorgeous Vista West Ranch and would work with her quirky, eclectic vibe. Captured perfectly by Heather Curiel and Nostalgia Film, the vintage stunner will have you swooning all afternoon! See the full gallery right here, and don’t miss the beautiful 8mm film!

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/55315095 600 338]

from the bride...I decided I was going to do all the decor myself. As I was planning, we thought about all the waste that comes from putting on just a single wedding. We were not going to have a wedding with flowers that get thrown away, decor that get’s thrown away. What was the point? Why not get almost everything from Thrift Stores and antique stores that can be used again in our home. The same with the floral decor. Potted succulents and plants became a huge part of our wedding. Andy, being a lover of plants agreed. I must of spent months in total time looking at the SMP wedding blogs for budget friendly DIY ideas and i sure found a lot of them that would fit in with the style we wanted. I then came to the realization that I could not be the wedding planner, bride and the florist. We decided to find a florist that could help with the decor and provide a sustainable approach that fit with our style. I had so much fun over that year scouring vintage antique stores and thrift stores!

They say that we wouldn’t notice the details the day of the wedding but they are so wrong! When we walked down the aisle and saw the vintage chandelier hanging from the trellis or the DIY reserved signs I made for the chairs, I smiled so big inside and knew that we influenced all of this. The beer garden decor thanks to our amazing florist and stylist was over the top Austin quirky with the moss balls, succulent terrariums and beer bottle lights. We could not have been happier to have our guests hanging in this laid back area! When we walked in our reception and saw the gorgeous details that we worked on so hard over the previous year it just took our breath away! The vintage wood cheese box that the groom’s cake sat on, the lucky horseshoes we gave away as favors. Each element of the wedding we created had its own set of memories that came with it as we made those items as a couple and worked together to do so.
Our favorite moments of the wedding were the times we had alone with each other during our first dance, our first look photos and portrait time and lastly around the campfire at the end of the night reflecting on the most beautiful day we had together.

Our advice to any couple is to simply have fun planning your wedding. Make the day a true reflection of your personalities and beliefs. If sustainability is important to you why not have planted succulents and repurposed decor! How fun will it be a year later to have a garden of plants and succulents that were from your wedding?! Have fun in the planning process and cherish the memories that are made from planning your special day! Make sure to have your day captured on video. We decided to use a videographer that shoots with 8mm film. How cool is that? Don’t worry if something does not go correctly, because every wedding has “thing” that happens at it. Nobody will notice it at all. Work with vendors who are in sync with your vision and will work with you as a part of your team to make your day perfect.

Wedding Photography: Heather Curiel / Wedding Venue: Vista West Ranch in Dripping Springs, Texas / Floral Design: EcoChic Floral / Wedding Cinematography: Nostalgia Film / Wedding Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori / DJ: Complete Music / Rentals: Petal Pushers Rentals / Banners: Amy & Amy from A Butterfly Above / Wedding Guest Book: Shabby Scrap / Wrist Corsages: Frayed & fancy / Wedding Invitations: Days Gone Design / Wedding Dress: Jasmine Bridal Couture / Groom’s Attire: Calvin Klein / Makeup + Hair: Danielle Elaine

 

Without a doubt in my mind, the most beautiful weddings are those crafted with handmade details, DIY-inspired touches and lots of help from family + friends. This backyard Waxahachie wedding from Jamie Harper Photography hits all of those notes, and then some. From the venue (a home of a close friend) to the sweet-as-can-be flower girl attire, it was all created with love by those close to the bride + groom…and the result? Pure perfection. See it all right here! 

From the Bride… My dear friend Julie & her husband Corey built a beautiful rustic home on several hundred acres of land right outside Waxahachie, TX. She was there the night Jeff & I got engaged. As she and I immediately started planning the wedding in the freezing cold by an outdoor fire place, I told her of my worries about the cost of my dream wedding. It was as if she’d already been planning this for months, she instantly offered their home for our wedding location and began helping me get it all in order the very next week. 

My handmade, vintage lace tiered dress was my very first wedding purchase and it was purchased by my bridesmaid/ boss/ wonderful friend of mine, Jenny. It was a little out of my price range, but she couldn’t stand to see me not have it, so she insisted on paying for it and that I order it right away. (In case you haven’t noticed yet, I have AMAZING friends!) I had found the dress on Etsy at a shop called KT Jean months before we got engaged and I fell in love. It was my favorite part of our wedding and the inspiration for the theme and décor of the entire thing. I was however taking a huge risk by purchasing it over the internet having never seen it in person or trying it on. The same went for the bridesmaid dresses from Armour sans Anguish. All my girls were built so differently and yet the dresses fit them all so perfectly! 

Next came the brooch shower for my vintage brooch bouquet. I knew I wanted a brooch bouquet, but I didn’t want the same thing that everyone else had. I wanted mine to be different and I found just what I was looking for on Autumn Bridal & Grace’s Etsy shop. Beautiful fabric & lace rosettes with many of the gorgeous brooches given to me. It was simple, gorgeous, and the best part was that I would get to have a piece of my friends and family with me as I walked down the aisle. When I opened that package and saw it, I cried. It was gorgeous and the first brooch I saw was my grandmother’s. It meant the world to me to have it displayed so beautifully .

All of my friends are incredibly crafty and were willing to pitch in however they could. The only décor that was not handmade by bridesmaids or closest girlfriends, were the signs from Sophia’s Sign Boutique. Everything from the flowers, to the table runners, to picture frames, to the flower girl dresses were all made with love by friends. As the planning went on, I realized I was a very lucky girl to not only be marrying the man of my dreams, but also to be surrounded by wonderful people.

The best thing about a group effort DIY wedding, is that you can look at each little piece of decoration and remember who made it & the story behind it. All those handmade mason jars and picture frames now decorate our home. My brooch bouquet will be on display forever and will never wilt, just like our love.

Wedding Photography: Jamie Harper Photography / Wedding Venue: A Private Residence in Waxahachie, Texas / Cake: Cretia’s / Buffet Setup + Desserts: Sweet & Savory by Tabby Ashmore (tbyashmore@gmail.com) / Decor: DIY by the Bride and Friends / Bride + Bridesmaids’ Bouquets + Corsages + Boutonnieres: Autumn and Grace Bridal / Cake Topper: Crafty Frills / Cake Stands: Hunnicut Road Designs / DJ: Gus Garza from Your DJ / Wood Signs: Sophia’s Sign Boutique / Wedding Dress: Katie Jean / Shoes: Badgley Mischka / Bridesmaids’ Attire: Armour sans Anguish / Flower Girl Dresses +  Head Pieces + Flip Flops + Shirts:  Kutie Patootie Couture / Ringer Bearer Pillow: Wendy Herrin & Kutie Patootie Couture

If you don’t already know how much we adore The Bird & The Bear, let me tell you.  It’s a lot.  A lot, a lot.  So much so, in fact, that after yesterday’s beyond adorable engagement session, we just could not wait to share another gorgeous gem from their arsenal.  This time, in the form of an uber-stunning rustic meets vintage affair at The Winfield Inn, which we’re referring to as a serious lesson in DIY perfection.  Or just plain awesome.  Either one.  Join us in the gallery for all of the pretty (there’s lots of it) and then stay tuned for a fabulous film from The Bird & The Bear (see why we love them?) below.

From The Bird & The Bear… Carisha & Jordan are just so awesome. They’re both ridiculously artistic and creative and almost every bit of their decor was DIY. They designed and hand letter pressed the invitations themselves. They also painted all the signs pointing to each location to match the fonts from the invitations. Carisha also made the table numbers! Jordan’s mother designed and made all the bunting, pillows and table runners. The most amazing piece was the amazing canvas with the painting of themselves they designed! All so beautiful and made with love. Their Austin wedding was a destination event years in the making, with everyone traveling in from California.

Wedding Photography + Cinematography: The Bird & The Bear / Wedding Venue: The Winfield Inn in Kyle, Texas / Event Planning: Jacki Payne from The Winfield Inn / Floral Design: Pollen Floral Art / Wedding Cake: Sweet Treets Bakery / Vintage Rentals: Loot Vintage Rentals

When you live in Houston and are a huge fan of the beach and surfing, it’s a no brainer to head to Galveston. So this super cool couple hit the beach they are so fond of with The Bird & The Bear, the bride-to-be mother’s handmade wedding dress from the 60’s and a super fab little lace tent to really add some style – and the result is one amazing e-session, complete with their puppy popping in for a few pics. Click here for the full gallery. 

Don’t miss their adorable film, also by The Bird & The Bear:

From The Bird & The Bear… Daley and Gerrit are a really cool couple. They live in Houston and love the beach and surfing, so we centered their engagement session around their love story and the things they love the most! As part of the session, Daley also wore her mother’s wedding dress that she made herself in the 60’s, which meant a lot to both of them. To go with the surfer/60’s vibe, we also hand made a lace teepee out of pvc pipe and twine!

Photography + Cinematography:  The Bird & The Bear

Ever wonder what you get when you combine sweet vintage details, a gorgeous rustic vibe and a stunning Texas duo?  Well, lovelies, the answer to your question is right here in this beyond beautiful Frisco Heritage Center wedding, which is the proud owner of all three.  It’s beautiful blooms from Dirt meets a lacy Maggie Sottero masterpiece meets a ceremony at the oldest church in the city and it was all captured amazingly by Jeremy & Kristin Photography.  Ready for a day of pure lovely? Join me in the gallery for more.

From the Bride… Our ceremony took place at the original Lebanon Baptist Church in Frisco, Texas which happens to be the oldest church in the city. Because of the location the wedding theme came pretty easy. We called it rustic chic with a vintage touch. I designed our invitations from scratch and had them printed with a local printer for an extra personal touch. My dress was perfect and nothing like what Alex thought I’d walk down the aisle in. It screamed vintage elegance from head to toe with all of the lace and delicate details. Alex and his groomsmen wore chocolate brown suits made by Haggar Clothing Co.

The ceremony was very intimate with a string duet playing and the sun glowing in from the stained glass windows. We had these amazing birch branch arrangements at the alter with flowers billowing over the burlap wrapped plant pots. We incorporated wooden elements throughout the wedding actually, everywhere from the fabric cover of our guest book with branch pens to our oversized polished tree stump as our cake stand. Our reception continued the theme with moss table runners that were draped over muslin tablecloths with cut tree slices and a ton of mercury glass candles. We even made tabletop confetti using vintage sheet music punched into lovebirds. Our cakes were designed by Alex and I because we wanted cakes that weren’t typical. My cake was layered with an ombré tiered Madegascar vanilla with a hint of orange zest and had the most amazing flowers with brooch centers. The groom’s cake was very masculine and square and was eight layers tall with Andes Mint and chocolate ganache icing. Our favors were little handmade honey jars filled with local honey with lids covered in several vintage fabrics.

As I look back at that day that seemed like a million years in the making, I simply grin as it fills me with so many happy thoughts and memories. From our first dance to our family cutting loose on the dance floor. It was a day filled with so many tiny details and lots of love that I’m sure we will enjoy for a lifetime. Our biggest challenge that day was trying to actually setup all the little details in one day’s time while still being a bride and primping. Of course, more important than the decorations was having all of the people Alex and I love the most there to celebrate with us. We are forever grateful to our friends, family and wedding party for keeping us sane and for helping.

Wedding Photography: Jeremy & Kristin Photography / Venue: Frisco Heritage Center in Frisco, Texas / Floral Design: Dirt / Caterer: All in Good Taste / Wedding Cake: Red Raspberry Cakes / DJ: Krucial Entertainment / Design: DIY by the Bride + Groom / Favors: Round Rock Honey /  Classic Car: Romantic Remembrances / Ceremony Music: Serenata Strings / Cake Topper: Baumbirdy / Wedding Dress: Maggie Sottero “Karena Royale” via Lulu’s Bridal / Bride’s Accessories: Aparicio + MillielCARO + Krumpets Designs + Toni Federici “Lili Claire” / Cufflinks: Jon Turner  / Hair: Erin Board

I’m a die hard Nichols fan. This wedding captured my heart and since then it’s been one pretty gem right after the other from their lens; culminating in a wedding with so much goodness, I kind of don’t know where to look first. Maybe the cute dog? Oh that cute dog. But then there’s all those pretty blooms by The Nouveau Romantics that are pure white perfection and a dessert table so scrumptious, I’m ready to dive in head first. All in all, this has a little something for every one of your loves whether that be fury friends, yummy treats or gorgeous, garden details. See it all right here.

From Liz of The Nouveau Romantics... Sean and Stephanie set out to create a classic yet rustic evening that showcased their new home turf of Texas to their East Coast friends and family. From a mariachi band and cacti during the cocktail hour, to their venue– Barr Mansion’s– certified organic rating, the couple was adamant about incorporating as many local touches to their guest’s experience.

Using the venue’s verdant gardens and rustic ballroom we mixed the bride’s love of classic style in black and white, with groom’s more rustic and colorful sensibilities into all the design elements, from the elegant dahlia and snowberry-filled chuppah that used the bride’s family’s tallit, to the oak leaf “canopies” in the reception, to the hanging garden of escort cards, to a menu that was entirely locally-sourced. The dessert bar was a mix of the couple’s favorite candy and East Coast desserts including “Black & White Yodels” and sea salt caramels from Liddabit Sweets in Brooklyn, New York.

Wedding Photography: The Nichols / Wedding Venue + Day of Coordination + Cake: Barr Mansion in Austin, Texas / Wedding Planning and Design + Floral Design  + Stationery: The Nouveau Romantics / Dessert Table: Walton’s Fancy and Staple, Sugarfina, Miette (Meringues), Liddabit (Caramels)  / Music: Matchmaker Band , Anthony “Tony” Johnson, Mariachi Jalisco + Barton Strings / Lighting: Intelligent Lighting Design / Jelly Shots: LM Cocktail Catering / Photobooth: Magnolia Photo Booth Co. / Wedding Dress: Vera Wang / Bride’s Shoes: Jimmy Choo / Hair: Shannon Briggs-Hack of Janet St. Paul Studio for Hair + Kimberley Eddleton / Makeup: Nisa Nicole

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.

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

A breathtaking Houston affair, a drop-dead gorgeous BHLDN gown and a whole host of beautiful blooms from Floral Events (here’s looking at you, sweet, sweet bouquet)… is your heart pounding yet?  If not, then one look at the stunning images captured by Stefano Choi Photography and you won’t be able to escape it.  Because this is the kind of wedding that makes you sit back (in complete and total awe, mind you) and spend hours soaking it all in.  It’s just that good.  Oh, and the 100-year-old Crystal Ballroom? Awesome. Click here for so much more and stay tuned for a beautiful film from Sculpting With Time Productions below.

From Stefano Choi Photography… A classic elegant wedding and the bride DIY’ed the invitations, programs, guest seats all based off of a travel theme because they love to travel. She also wore a beautiful dress, veil and shoes by BHLDN. She chose the Holy Rosary Catholic Church and the Crystal Ballroom for the ceremony because they are both nearing their 100 year anniversaries and she thought it would be a great fit for her theme. The old school charm in these locations were a perfect fit for this. the images were captured on digital, 35mm & Medium Format film.

Photography: Stefano Choi Photography / Floral Design: Floral Events / Ceremony Venue: Church Holy Rosary / Reception Venue: The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice Lofts / Cinematography: Sculpting With Time Productions / Music: “Remember When” by Us & Our Daughters via The Music Bed / Cake: Who Made The Cake! / Wedding Dress, Veil & Shoes: BHLDN / Reception Band: Doppelgänger / Cocktail Hour Musicians: Houston String Quartet / Ceremony Musicians: Chamber Music Unlimited / Late Night Snack: Tacos-A-Go-Go / Hair & Makeup: Your Beautiful Face / Linen & Tableware Rental: Party Cloths / Printer: Workhorse Printmakers / Wedding Invitations & Programs: DIY by The Bride

Any wedding that includes cozy warm blankets and the roasting of s’mores is most definitely a wedding I’m going to love.  That’s just the way it goes.  And when that wedding is held at the amazing Red Corral Ranch and features an entire gallery of lovely, lovely images captured by Bloom Photography?  That’s an instant obsession.  Right from the get-go.  Because when my favorite season (Fall) joins forces with sweet rustic details, it’s a feeling that can barely be put into words.  Join me in the gallery for sooooo much more.

From Bloom Photography… Though early November in Texas doesn’t always scream ‘Fall’ in its temperatures, we were in for a special treat at the old glory ranch this gorgeous day. Leigh and Casey had the most picturesque weather possible and they simply thought of everything! Their fun twist on ball jars and fireflies for the ‘Save the Date’ and the touches of plum color made the whole event feel positively cozy. Leigh’s mom made homemade Chex mix in jars with sweet ‘Thank You’ tags for every guest and it really added a personal feel to the burlap and floral tables. The father of the Bride took his woodworking hobby to a new level with the very sophisticated gorgeous box he created to hold notes from each guest written to the newlyweds. They even had cozy white blankets to keep guests warm while roasting s’mores!

The best part of this day wasn’t even these amazing personal touches. It was seeing the stolen glances and sweet gestures from a head-over-heels groom to his bride.  You know those couples that you meet and immediately know they are meant to be?  Yep.  That is Leigh and Casey. Congratulations, you two!

Photography: Bloom Photography / Wedding Coordination: Wedding Warriors / Floral Design: Petal Pushers / Wedding Venue: Red Corral Ranch / Catering: Royal Fig / DJ: Altared Weddings / Hair + Makeup: Belle Mariee

I’ve never been to Dallas, but by the looks of this pretty little number from Gibson Events, it would be my new favorite spot. And this sweet-as-can-be couple? My new best friends. It’s pure perfection from the Crescent Club locale to the lovely florals from Poppy Lane Design right on down to the bride’s (amazing!) nude Louboutins. Click here to see even more from Aaron Snow Photography.

And be sure to check out the beautiful film from PenWeddings:

[iframe http://player.vimeo.com/video/43474364 600 337]

From the Bride… The location of the venue was one of our favorite details in choosing the Rosewood Crescent.  The ambiance that the Crescent Hotel created coupled with the bright lights of Dallas made for an experience we could never forget.  There is a sentimental factor with the venue and location in the fact that I spent my younger years in Dallas and visited the hotel for brunch and other events.  Arriving at the hotel to do our first visit took our breath away and confirmed this was the right venue for us.  The classic hues of dark woods and merlot colors created a modern, sophisticated elegance set against the old world tradition of Dallas.

Wedding Photography: Aaron Snow Photography / Wedding Venue:  The Crescent Club in Dallas, Texas / Wedding Planning + Design: Gibson Events / Floral Design: Poppy Lane Design / Wedding Cinematography: PenWeddings / Wedding Invitations: Chirps and Cheers / Wedding Dress: JJ Kelly Bridal Salon / Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Tinkerbell, a lawn gnome and Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the U.S.A.”  When a first meeting includes all three of those stellar components, you know something special is about to happen.  Case in point?  These two Houston sweeties, who met one fateful Halloween evening and fell for each other over their mutual love of cute costumes, catchy tunes and “goofy” attitudes.  Needless to say, when it came time to say I Do, they incorporated their fun-filled personalities into every aspect of their wedding captured by Sharon Nicole Photography with uber-cute details styled by Pebble and Peony and bright pops of orange and blue hues.  See it all right here.

From the Bride… Jared and I met at a Halloween party three years ago. He was dressed up as a lawn gnome (he is 6’5″) and I was Tinkerbell. We immediately hit it off, and we discovered a mutual love of Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA,” which for some reason was played repeatedly that night. We’re both goofy, love to have fun, and don’t take ourselves too seriously. I knew I wanted a super-fun, almost cheeky wedding with great music and a party atmosphere. I got all that and more with the HMNS paleontology hall, which as luck would have it had just been totally remodeled months before the wedding. My friend Alexis of Pebble and Peony helped me bring a ton of playful ideas to life with our cocktail napkins, drink stirrers, coasters and die-cut dinosaur escort cards.

Levity aside, it was also important to us to have a traditional ceremony. I’m Episcopalian and grew up sitting in the pews of the church we were married in. I had always imagined my wedding ceremony in that beautiful space, and it was even more special and wonderful in real life than in daydreams. A good friend of my family officiated our ceremony, and we had a brass quartet with a tympani player for ceremony music. I couldn’t have asked for more! 

Wedding Photography: Sharon Nicole Photography / Ceremony: Christ Church Cathedral in Houston, Texas / Reception: Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston, Texas / Event Design: Pebble and Peony / Floral Design: Urban Petals / Dessert Table: Rebecca Masson of Fluff Bake Bar / Wedding Invitations: Dauphine Press / Band: The Pictures Band / Wedding Dress: Designed by the Bride + Created by Beautiful U Bridal in Houston (713-963-8213) / Bride’s Shoes: TOMS / Bridesmaids’ Dresses: LulaKate via Bella Bridesmaid / Groom’s Bow Tie: NOLA Couture / Groomsmen’s + Usher’s Bow Ties: Wm. Lamb & Son Collection for Southern Proper + Brooks Brothers