Alyson and Karsten's Austin Club wedding

It was a hot day in June when Alyson and Karsten were married at the Austin Club in downtown Austin, Texas, but to tell you the truth we hardly noticed the heat. We met the bride and groom, wedding party and family in the lobby of the Hyatt Hotel, where they all were staying, 2 hours before the ceremony. It served as a cool and attractive backdrop for the more formal of the wedding day photos. Then on to the Austin Club for ceremony and reception. It was a great night filled with wonderful music and crazy dancing. Two highlights for me were one, the Bruce Springsteen song their friend sang during the ceremony, and two, the Jayhawks song for the first dance.
Oh, and wasn't Alyson's dress just awesome?! I love the pleating at the bottom.

Here's the list of vendors that help make this event so special:
coordinator: barbara's brides
florist: verbena floral design
band: professor D
cake: sweet tempered

Allison and Ryan's Green Pastures wedding

Allison and Ryan's wedding ceremony was held at Saint Catherines of Siena Catholic Church, and the reception at the historical Green Pastures. I think from the photos below you can tell that a good time was had by all. Say Cheese photo booth created some outrageous moments, as did the Original Recipe Band. Oh and I can't forget the beautiful flowers done by Craig Fuller of Photosynthesis.

Thanks for including us Allison and Ryan, you and your friends and family were an absolute pleasure to photograph.

Congratulations!

Heather and Tim's Balcones Spring Retreat wedding

It was a very rainy day in May when Heather and Tim were married at the Retreat at Balcones Springs but that didn't stop it from being a beautiful event. We didn't let the rain stop us from taking photos by the river and the guests certainly didn't let it stop them from having fun.

Wishing you many more happy days Heather and Tim!

Jessica and Dan's UT's alumni center wedding

You may remember Jessica and Dan from their previous engagement shoot post which is one of our favorites. Their wedding was held at the UT Alumni Center. The ceremony took place beneath the enormous cypress trees that line Shoal Creek. It was a really beautiful day with dinner and dancing taking us into the night. The music was some of the best I have heard at a wedding. I hear the night continued downtown with an after hours party in Jessica and Dan's honor.

Kristin and Evan's Barr Mansion wedding

Kristin and Evan were married a few weeks ago at the Barr Mansion. If you follow our blog at all you will notice that we have had the opportunity to photograph at the Barr many times in the past. It is one of my favorite Austin locations. Yet no matter how many times we shoot there we always find another beautiful spot or angle. Maybe it's the couple that bring out these new visions of a familiar site.

Here's to wishing Kristin and Evan all the best in their new life together, congratulations!

Emily and Gregg's wedding

Emily and Gregg live in the lower east side of Manhattan, but chose to be married in Austin. I was excited when I heard about where they lived because we used to live and hang out in that same neighborhood some years ago, as did my grandfather, but I'm getting off subject.

Emily and Gregg were wed at the bride's mother's church, the classically beautiful Good Shepherd Episcopal Church located in the Tarrytown neighborhood. The reception was held at the Austin Country Club, and the bouquets, boutonnieres and table arrangements were created by the fabulous Craig Fuller of Photosynthesis.

I loved the small boxed chocolates that served as favors as well as place cards. And as you can see by the photos, the bride and groom and their guests had a great time dancing to the music of Sauce.

Congratulations Emily and Gregg!

Kate and Matt's Austin wedding

Kate and Matt were married last weekend at the Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church with a reception following at One World Theater. This event was flawless.

It started when we first received the exquisitely designed, letter pressed invitations and moved onto the bride on the day of, looking fabulous in a Monique LHuillier dress and Manolo Blahnik shoes. I loved the flowers, arranged by Floral Renaissance, especially the brides and bridesmaid bouquets, with their full range of pinks and the exotic proteas and orchids.

The ceremony included a choir of hand bells and organ music, and at the reception the music was provided by Skyrocket. The bride confided in me before the wedding that she was afraid no one would dance, but no problem there, as soon as the band started up there they were, on the dance floor, shaking it up.

The One World Theater is already a beautiful location, but in the hands of Michael Willms of Entertainment Design Events, it was absolutely over the top fabulous. And lastly the food, just beautiful, thanks to Word of Mouth catering.

Congratulations Kate and Matt!

Christy and Bryan's wedding at Mercury Hall

It was a Friday evening in late October when Christy and Bryan got married at the Mercury Hall in central Austin.
The event was magical, starting with Christy's ruby red slippers, then moving into an evening with a crazy blue sky and glowing luminaries.
The "small plates" buffet was created by Spoon & Co. and was delicious, not to mention beautiful.
Congratulations Christy and Bryan!

Amy and Richard's Driskill wedding

We spent this past Saturday at the Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin, helping celebrate Amy and Richard's wedding. The always amazing Amy and Scott of Amy's Platinum weddings were the coordinators and David Kurio, who out did himself, was the florist.

The day started at 10am with an elegant brunch held upstairs off the Mezzanine in the Maximillan room.

Then the bride and her bridal party, her daughter Katya was the maid of honor, went upstairs to get ready. While the guys went over to Belvedere's on Congress Avenue for a shave.

An intimate group gathered in the Crystal room for the ceremony, and then on to the newly renovated Victorian Room for the reception. It was beautiful. The theme was Asian, with sushi and sticky rice, a wok station and fortune cookies. The room was drapped in red and black with asian simplicity. The band Tres provided an elegant jazz backdrop to the event.

The day ended with everyone hanging outside on The Driskill's front patio enjoying the perfect weather.

Ami and Dan's wedding at the Allan House

O.K., so I know I chose too many photos of the bride for this blog entry, but I couldn't help myself. She was so lovely and I enjoyed photographing her, and I liked the results.

It was a simple June wedding held at the Allan House in downtown Austin. A gem of a place that makes you feel like you just discovered a secret garden.

Congratulation's Ami and Dan!

Courtney and Martin jumped the broom!

This was a fabulous wedding!

I might be a little bias because these two are friends, but I really thought this was a beautiful event. Held in Killeen, Texas at the welcoming home of Courtney's parents, the wedding was truly a community effort, my favorite kind. Courtney and Martin, along with help from family and friends, did all of the preparations, down to cooking the most wonderful buffet of food; gumbo, plantains, seaweed salad... not to mention the amazing cakes, one of which was a rum cake made by one of the guests.

They also made the favors, candles and buttons with the Osram Ne Nsoromma symbol, a moon and star symbol of love, faithfulness and harmony. The proverb goes, the North Star has a deep love for marriage. She is always in the sky waiting for the return of the moon, her husband.

The ceremony was performed by Courtney's grandfather, and finished with the two jumping the broom.

After the ceremony and a few family photos, the bride and groom changed out of their formal dress so they could dance the hot Texas summer night away in comfort and style.
Martin is a musician, playing in such bands as Antibalas and Ocote Soul Sounds, so it was no wonder they had a friend who was a fabulous DJ. Courtney's dad even got up and MC'd for awhile.

All and all it was a good time. Congratulations Courtney and Martin, well done!

Ian and Chris's wedding at the Barr Mansion

Have I mentioned lately how much I love it at the Barr Mansion? The location, the staff, the food, all amazing. As well the people who choose to be married there, some of my favorites.
Ian and Chris fit right in. Their wedding last weekend was simply beautiful. I especially loved the flower arrangements. The bride went all over Austin searching out the various glass jars, vases and pitchers for the tables. And Chris's bow tie, a real one, he came prepared with directions on how to tie it.
Oh and I can't forget the groomsmen and their surprise toast in Zoot suits. So fun!

Meredith's bridal at Unbridaled dress shop

Meredith's wedding is next weekend at the Lady bird Johnson Wildflower Center, that gave us just enough time to do her bridal sitting this past Wednesday. We chose to shoot it at Unbridaled, the absolutely sweetest South Austin shop where she purchased her dress. We had so much fun playing with their great assortment of contemporary and vintage accessories. Big thanks to Kim and Monica for giving us this opportunity.

Jessie and Tyler's Barr Mansion wedding

This has been a spring of awesome weddings, so Jessie and Tyler's wedding at the Barr Mansion fit right in. Besides the ever so beautiful gardens, the expanse of green grass, and the magical evening light of the Barr Mansion, the bride sparkled with each dimpled smile. Practical and stylish in her gold Manolo Blahnik flats, she seemed perfectly at home in her mothers 70's era wedding gown. I loved it.

It was fun right from the start. We did all the family and wedding party photos before the ceremony and as you can see in just the few photos below, they knew how to have a good time. Friends served as DJ's, bringing along their record collections and their good taste in music. Sparklers, cigars and a little karaoke made for a great night.

Michelle's bridal at Laguna Gloria

Michelle's wedding will take place at the Bob Bullock museum in June, so we were right on time with her bridal sitting this past week at Laguna Gloria. In the first shots we played with her dramatic mantilla styled veil. After, we shot some without the veil which showed off her tiara and up do. Verbena Floral Designs did an outstanding job with her bouquet.

Amy's bridal at Laguna Gloria

Here is just a couple of the beautiful images we captured of Amy at Laguna Gloria for her bridal sitting last week. Her red hair and amazing eyes just knocked me out every time I looked through the lens. We are looking forward to the wedding that will take place at the Driskill Hotel later this spring.

Megan and Greg's Wedding

Megan and Greg's wedding took place on a beautiful spring day in happening downtown Austin. Between the annual art fair, a fund raising walk and theater goers, the streets were bustling. Amy and Scott of Amy's Platinum Weddings and Events navigated us through it all without a hitch.
The ceremony took place in one of downtowns' most treasured buildings, the historic St. Mary's Catholic church. From there we grabbed the wedding party and visited Austin's newest pride and joy, the Long Center for the Performing Arts, for a few shots with a great view and amazing architecture.
Next it was dinner and dancing at the swanky Stephen F. Austin Hotel. First a few drinks in the bar, cocktail hour with the guests and then into the ballroom, set elegantly with long tables and flower arrangements by Stacey Hogge of Petal Pushers. We worked alongside Jeff Marrow, I would love to see his video footage of the best man singing his toast. And to top it all off the cake was so delicious and the band had the guests jumping all night.

Gena and Chad's wedding at the Barr Mansion

This past Sunday at the Barr Mansion Gena and Chad were married. The wedding party and guests were as beautiful as the day and the gardens. Chad, a metal worker, crafted a wonderful arch for them to be married under. Gena, a lover of plants, chose potted orchids for the tables.

The Barr Mansion, the only certified organic events venue in Austin, provided a delicious vegetarian feast. Gena and Chad made the wonderfully unusual choice of a reggae band, The Stingers, for the reception, and they kept the party jamming.