Southern Weddings

Y’all might be disappointed to know that while Emily and I have had our bulletin boards hung above our desks for weeks, they’re still half empty (but we’re both proud to say they’re looking quite snazzy with the bow ties we pinned to them). It’s so hard to choose which images you love most! Among some of my favorite photos from V4 that I’m choosing between is the one of Paige + Adam’s polished wooden picnic tables. Topped with burlap, candles and colorful flowers and with string lights hanging above, it’s one that appeals to the perfect marriage of natural and refined. As for the other details, we’re just nuts for the newlywed’s oversize chalkboard menu, china seating display and cake buffet. Biggest thanks to Tanja Lippert for sharing this wedding with us!

What kind of food did you serve during the cocktail hour, dinner and dessert? Wine and beer were passed as well as three different appetizers: sweet potato fries, bruscetta, and caprese skewers. We served Texas wines from Becker and Messina Hof Vineyards, and Shiner (a Texas beer) was also served. Additionally, we had a chip and dip bar with guacamole, salsa, queso, and pico de gallo.
Tell us a bit about your first dance. Our “official” first dance was a two-step to Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” However, the first song we actually danced to at the reception was Journey’s “Don’t Stop Belivin.” It was candid and unchoreographed, but all our guests thought we had planned it out ahead of time!
Describe your wedding cake: Our main cake was a three-tier traditional white cake with a vanilla butter cream and fondant ribbons. We had three additional smaller cakes that consisted of chocolate cake with chocolate icing, red velvet cake with cream cheese icing, and strawberry-filled white cake with vanilla butter cream icing. The three smaller cakes were displayed on white cake stands and our larger cake was displayed on a large round wooded cheese box. They were 100% delicious!
What is the one thing that made your wedding different from anyone else’s wedding? I’m not sure how unique this is as far as weddings go, but I really tried to put our guests first, including our wedding party. I didn’t want any part of our wedding day to be a hassle or a burden, and I wanted people to thoroughly enjoy themselves. We bussed the guests to the venue from the hotel and even had a bus drop off guests downtown who wanted to keep the party going on 6th Street. I wanted the wedding to be a blessing and ultimately a joyful memory for all.
What’s next for you as a couple? What are you looking forward to in the future? We’re looking forward to a future in Austin! We have an amazing community of friends here and a church we love. We hope to pursue Christ first in our marriage and to live on mission for the gospel every day. As we’ve already discovered, this is no small task!
What advice would you give to someone planning his or her wedding? The reality of engagement and wedding planning is often in stark contrast to the romanticized idea of it all. At some point, you will be at odds with your family, with your fiancé’s family, and with your fiancé. You might struggle with a budget, a guest list, and many, many other details. Engagement may very well be the most stressful time of your life. Unfortunately, it is during this time that you should also be preparing for the biggest, most humbling life change you will be making to date. In my case, I was wrestling with all the things God was calling me to be as a wife and everything our marriage would symbolize: a living picture of Christ’s love for His church. I encourage all couples to participate in marriage counseling prior to their wedding and to remember what the wedding day is really all about. It’s the first day of the rest of your lives together as one flesh.

Photographer: Tanja Lippert // Videographer: Paul Raila // Coordinator: Lizze Belle Events // Band: Blind Date // String Quartet: Barton Strings // Venue: Kali Kate Equestrian Center // Florist: Petal Pushers // Wedding Cake Baker: Simon Lee Bakery // Caterer: Crave Catering // Bridesmaid Dresses: bridesmaids’ own, Bride’s Dress: Carolina Herrera // Hair Stylist: Zig Zag Salon // Makeup Artist: Mandy Morrison // Bride’s Shoes: Tory Burch // Bride’s engagement and wedding rings: Andy Feist, Premier Diamonds (972-994-9292) // Bride’s Veil: Warren Barron Bridal // Groom’s Fashion: Suit from JoS. A. Bank, bow tie from Tux & Tulle (etsy.com/shop/tuxandtulle), suspenders from Suspender Store (suspenderstore.com), boots from Lucchese (lucchese.com), Groomsmen Fashion: suits from JoS. A. Bank, ties from Tux & Tulle, suspenders from Suspender Store // Paper Goods: Save the dates from Wedding Paper Divas, invitations from Inviting Affairs, calligraphy by Bailey Amon // Rentals and Linens: Premiere // Ceremony/Reception Décor: guestbook fingerprint tree by Bleu de Toi, table numbers by Pertyfultings, burlap table runners by Straight Stitch // burlap welcome banner by Funkyshique, cake-top banner by Ready Go, hammered table number spoons by Wooden Hive, embroidered handkerchiefs by Embroidery by Melissa // Transportation: R&R Limousine and Bus and Transportation Consultants // Sound: Filo // Officiant: Andy Baxter

We think you’ll love these weddings, too!
Melissa + Eric’s garden wedding here and here
Alex + Paul’s Sperry-tented wedding here and here
Caroline + Tyler’s peachy Georgia wedding here and here.

Written with love by Nicole