Nicole and Brian enjoyed their opulent morning wedding at The Driskill. It is sometimes the case that morning weddings are calmer and quieter than their nighttime counterparts. Umm… not this one! The mimosas were flowing freely and the celebration was turned up to eleven well before the clock struck ten.
The ceremony was interrupted by not one, not two, but FIVE cell phones (including one guest we overheard saying, “I gotta go… I’m at a wedding and the bride is coming down the aisle!”). Luckily, Nicole and Brian have a great group of family and friends, all with a sense of humor. The pastor joked about it, and the rest of the ceremony went off without a hitch – almost. Brian has jammed and broken his fingers so many times playing sports, that his ring got stuck on his knuckle! This is probably a good sign: now that the ring is on, it will definitely stay there.
I just have to mention Nicole and Brian’s cake, because, well, we eat a LOT of cake in this line of work. We’re big foodies in general, anyway… So when we say a cake is delicious, you can trust that as a fact. Sansalone’s Tiramisu Cake gets our enthusiastic approval (good to note if you’re planning a wedding at The Driskill Hotel – Tony Sansalone is their own extremely talented pastry chef).
After riding away on a horse-drawn carriage, these newlyweds are off to honeymoon in Zihuatanejo (they fell in love with the place while viewing an album from one of the weddings we’ve shot there!). Have fun, you two!!
Meredith and Josh enjoyed a beautiful Terrace Club wedding in sunny Dripping Springs. Meredith showed up with a beer in her hand, reminding us of how this extremely fun (and funny!) couple met: Josh went to a bar, where he spotted Meredith sitting alone with a pitcher of beer, watching the big game and cheering on West Virginia. He got up the nerve to introduce himself, and told her he was a WV fan, as well. Thus began their romance…
Their ceremony included various customs in celebration of their families’ heritage, including tucking lavender into the bridal bouquet to ensure a happy and long-lasting union (Irish), holding their right hands together to symbolize their reliance on each other (Scottish), attaching a horseshoe to the bouquet for good luck (English), Josh giving Meredith 13 gold coins to symbolize his supporting her and also representing Christ and the 12 Apostles (Hispanic), tying a bow above their heads to symbolize the bond between them (Italian), Josh carrying a piece of iron in his pocket to drive away jealous evil spirits (German), and sharing bread – “may you never go hungry”, wine – “enjoy the sweetness in life”, salt – “may you overcome the bitterness in life”, and a silver coin – “may you be wealthy and in good health” (Polish).
We thought these personal touches were very creative and cool, as were the peacock feather boutonnieres and Meredith’s amazing feather bouquet!
Sarah and Michael were brought together by their mutual love for music. They met in college at Texas State, where they were both music majors and in the vocal jazz group together. When Michael decided to propose, he came up with a very clever way to have Sarah design her own engagement party… He suggested that they throw a white elephant party for Christmas, and got Sarah to choose the date and location, decide on the food, decorations, music – everything! Of course, she also helped create the guest list, inviting much-loved friends and family members who would get to witness the whole thing. Michael and his brother set up the white elephant portion of the party to ensure that after all 42 people had their chance to choose and steal gifts, Michael would be the one to end up with the “white elephant” containing the surprise engagement ring. Just when it seemed like the gift giving was over, Michael pulled Sarah to the center of the room and got down on one knee!
We are looking very forward to Sarah and Michael’s April wedding at the Saint Mary Cathedral in downtown Austin.
Courtney and Tats chose the new tent at the Allan House for their wonderful winter wedding. We got a kick out of their too-cute reactions to each other during their first glance. Guests got a kick out of the all-blue candy bar. After a fun evening of laughing and dancing, the happy newlyweds escaped through a tunnel of sparklers to hop into one of our favorite getaway cars ever, and sped off to some super top-secret honeymoon location! We can’t wait to hear about it when they get back…
Stephanie and Brian chose one of our favorite locations for their Austin wedding – the Barr Mansion.
Everybody cried at this wedding (at least, everybody I saw… even Eric!). It was all pretty magical, but Brian’s vows just blew us away. He started out by telling everyone the story of how he and Stephanie met, just about a year ago, through Match.com. He revealed that when he saw her for the first time he said to himself, “WOW! You’d better not screw this up!”. After the ensuing laughter he continued sincerely, pledging to Stephanie and her three sons, in front of all of their friends and family, that he promises from this day forward to -never- screw this up! Awww…
We just know this new family will live happily ever after, and are so grateful that we got to witness this beautiful beginning to the next chapter of their story.
February 23, 2010 - 10:07 amStephanie Lendecky - Beautiful job Laura and Eric! The pictures are fabulous! We are so glad we chose you guys to be a part of our day.
Lisa and Leo enjoyed their wedding on an unbelievably nice day in January at the Shoreline Grill, in Austin. We met Lisa at the Four Seasons, where she got ready with her mom in what was the calmest pre-wedding bridal suite I have ever been in. Lisa and Leo shared their First Glance out by the water, and then prepared for the gorgeous outdoor ceremony. They had a fabulous idea for addressing the different languages spoken by their families – Leo read his vows to Lisa in English, and Lisa read the same vows back to Leo in Spanish. So sweet! We loved the live band playing traditional Latin American music at the reception. Congratulations, Lisa and Leo!
Courtney and Tats met about three years ago, at a mutual friend’s house. Courtney’s interest was piqued immediately, and she told all of her friends about the cute guy she had met. At first, they only ran into each other occasionally, but they soon found more and more reasons to hang out together. Before long, they were best friends. When Courtney’s dad met and actually liked Tats, Courtney knew he was a keeper. Their foundation of true friendship has made their love that much more enjoyable… they always have fun together, and it shows!
Tats recently told Courtney he was taking her out to breakfast, but he stopped at “their spot” at Town Lake, first. He proposed to her there, and she began to laugh hysterically! Nervous reactions aside, she said yes, of course. Afterwards, Tats brought her to the Driskill for breakfast, as promised. The newly engaged couple were met there by Courtney’s parents! Tats had called them on their anniversary to ask for their daughter’s hand in marriage, and flew them in from Mississippi to surprise Courtney. Awww!
November 20, 2009 - 9:49 amCarmina - Awwwww!!!! So cute!
November 20, 2009 - 12:46 pmCourtney - Thanks Laura and Eric I love the pictures! We had so much fun.
November 20, 2009 - 6:46 pmMarshall - Congratulations guys
November 21, 2009 - 4:58 pmBevan - Love the photos! Congratulations Tats and Courtney!!
November 23, 2009 - 9:52 amKristin - Courtney!!! I love the photos! That candy store looks amazing, and I WANT to go there! I LOVE the one of ya'll eating ice cream and of him kissing you on the cheek! They are natural and I love your laugh!!!
November 24, 2009 - 9:47 amJanee - These could be from a magazine! They're REALLY good!!! I like that Tats is holding mint chocolate chip ice cream. I guess he has good taste in just about everything! He IS a keeper, Court!
November 25, 2009 - 10:25 amWhitney - Great job as always, Laura and Eric! Congrats, Courtney and Tats! You two are adorable! Looking forward to the wedding here at The Allan House.
November 25, 2009 - 7:46 pmKatie Brupbacher - Courtney you look sooo HAPPY!!!!! that makes me so happy to see you happy, you really deserve to have that kind of happiness and love in your life! congratulations to you both
November 25, 2009 - 9:28 pmApril Solloway - Oh. My. Goodness! These are such good pics...I LOVE them. Are there more? YAY for Courtney and Tats!
November 26, 2009 - 12:48 amLaralyn & Tom - Congrats Courtney! Pictures are nearly as sweet as you! So happy for you guys. And just when we were thinking "Uhhh..What's he waiting for? She's obviously a catch!" and then...BAM! We are sharing in all of your happiness.
November 26, 2009 - 3:14 pmMatt A. - Great pics and a great story, you guys! I am so very happy for you and wish you all the best.
November 26, 2009 - 9:14 pmSarah - Love the pics! My fav is the one of you guys against the wall with the painting...very unique! CONGRATS!
November 27, 2009 - 1:35 amPam - Quite the snazzy pictures! And what a great engagement morning :)
November 27, 2009 - 6:37 pmJoanthan - Congratulations!!!! Way to go Courtney! Looks like you found a great guy. Welcome to the family Tats!
November 28, 2009 - 12:29 amAubrei - Fabulous shots, you two. And what a candy store!!
November 29, 2009 - 8:00 pmBecky, Troy, and Lance - Congratulations!!! We are happy for both of you! Tats we welcome you to the Fam!!
November 30, 2009 - 9:24 pmRadhi - WOW - what fantastic pictures! You guys are so beautiful! Congratulations! Radhi and Soham
November 30, 2009 - 9:28 pmCynthia / Mom - These pictures are too cute! Oh my dear sweet baby! I am deliciously excited for you guys. Who would had thought my little Court would be getting married. You are all grown up and have turned out to be a beautiful young lady. Dad and I are extremely proud of you. You truly deserve all the happiness your little heart can contain. Tats, we could not have asked for a better soon to be son-in-law.
November 30, 2009 - 9:36 pmAndy / Dad - These pictures are very nice (and you know how picky I am about pictures). As I was looking through them I was thinking "ahhh, how nice..." until I saw Tats' hand on your butt/hip. Then I thought "stop right there...". Anyhow, I love you very much and am very happy for you both.
December 1, 2009 - 10:28 amMissy - Congrats! What a beautiful and happy couple! I don't think I could pick a favorite pix. They are all INCREDIBLE! We are so happy for you two!!
December 1, 2009 - 11:14 amLiz - The pictures are AMAZING!!! I want one of each :-P Congrats on the engagement. I am so happy for the both of you. WooHoo!!!!
December 1, 2009 - 3:09 pmYesenia - You both look great! Congrats! Countdown begins...
December 2, 2009 - 10:28 amNate - Wow! Those pictures are amazing. What a beautiful couple! Y'all make Brangelina look like Susan Boyle!
December 2, 2009 - 10:32 amCaryn - Court the pics are awesome!! I love the ice cream shot!! I am so excited for you both and wish you all the best - you certainly deserve it!
December 6, 2009 - 11:34 pmKevin - Qtest couple in Austin. Congratulations to you both!
December 7, 2009 - 1:13 pmGinger (cousin) - These pictures are GREAT!! You are a beautiful couple! We wish you all the best. Congratulations!!
December 14, 2009 - 10:29 amTracy and Steve - Seriously, you two are in the wrong line of work. You should both be doing magazine ads. What an absolutely beautiful couple. (And, Courtney, you're right. He IS a hottie!) You make such a cute pair. Congratulations. Can't wait to see the wedding in February.
December 16, 2009 - 12:20 amFrank - These pics are awesome! Sandy and I are very happy for you and Tats and we look forward to meeting your future husband. You both look great together and you look very very happy...that makes us happy! Congrats!
Nicole and Brian met through a mutual friend when they were in college. Upon seeing him, Nicole told her friends she was “calling dibs”. They went through all the usual young-love-drama, and got to enjoy growing up together. Brian first told Nicole he loved her while they were on vacation in Canada, in a hot tub surrounded by ten foot high snow. Nicole was so excited and nervous, that she could only blurt out “thanks!” in response.
Earlier this year, Brian took Nicole’s dad out to dinner. It was his turn to be excited and nervous, because he was there to ask Nicole’s dad for permission to marry his one and only daughter! Once he had the go-ahead, he couldn’t wait to propose. After dinner, he met Nicole to watch Robbie Knievel jump three semi trucks in front of the state capitol. She was grabbing a bottle of wine when he took her arm and said he needed to tell her something. When she turned, she was shocked (and thrilled!) to find him on one knee. Just afterwards, Robbie jumped the trucks, fireworks starting going off, and celebration broke out all over the place. Nicole felt like it was all for them!
November 20, 2009 - 11:11 amNicole - Laura & Eric - I love them! I can't believe they are up so fast. You two are wonderful and we are very lucky to have ya'll as a part of our special day. I can not wait to see the rest of the photos! -Nicole
November 20, 2009 - 11:17 amEmily Adams - These are sooo cute, I can't wait to see more!! My favorite is the one sitting at the table where y'all just look perfect together and so happy in love!! Love you guys!!
November 20, 2009 - 11:19 amAriana - You guys look great!
November 20, 2009 - 11:28 amMichelle Russell - These pictures are beautiful!
November 20, 2009 - 12:40 pmCarol - Love the photos can't wait to see the rest of them.
November 20, 2009 - 1:15 pmJenny Coleman - Great photos, very "Nicole and Brian"! Can't wait till March! Congrats you two, yall are awesome!
November 20, 2009 - 5:35 pmZach - Congrats Nicole and Brian!
November 20, 2009 - 5:36 pmCathy - Wonderful photos!
November 21, 2009 - 2:48 pmDanielle Layton - I LOVE LOVE LOVE THESE! You guys are the cutest ever! :)
November 21, 2009 - 10:20 pmDana Gilbert - Great pictures! You two look so happy and that makes me happy! I can't wait until the wedding!
November 21, 2009 - 10:42 pmTerre - These are amazing and look so natural! The outdoor settings are my favorite!
November 22, 2009 - 8:46 pmJason Botello - Looking good, I can't wait for the wedding! -JBo
November 23, 2009 - 3:14 pmJim Anderson - Haha I hadn't ever heard the "I love you" story. Hilarious. Good looking pictures you two.
November 25, 2009 - 7:49 pmMichelle Gilbert - Those pictures are amazing! Im glad you are going to be a Gilbert now!
November 29, 2009 - 6:10 pmmichael "Dad" - What a lucky guy that Brian is to have swooped you up. Sure looks like real love to me! May you both be blessed with many years together.
December 1, 2009 - 4:35 pmCarley Thomas - Cousin! You look so gorgeous and I love the pictures!
December 1, 2009 - 4:37 pmFrancis Navarro - Great pictures, you two are so lucky!
December 1, 2009 - 4:39 pmChandra - LOVE THE PICTURES!! Let me see the rest Nicole!!
December 1, 2009 - 4:42 pmDione - Great pictures, great story, and great couple. Congrats!
December 1, 2009 - 4:45 pmLindsey Graham - Wonderful pictures - I love them! I can't wait until the wedding. Love, Lindsey
December 2, 2009 - 12:04 amBrian Gilbert - I really like the pictures and enjoyed having them taken. I can't wait for us to decide and order some! Thank you for taking the time to take such great photos.
February 10, 2010 - 11:05 amSarah Goldsberry - ahh i love this!!! :):) yall look so good!
by Laura
no comments
add a comment link to this post email a friend