Kaylie and Sam

Kaylie says that she and Sam are “not really bike people”. Yet in 2004, they each decided to bike across the country. Kaylie was traveling with a small group from Maine to Vancouver, and Sam and a friend were heading to New York from San Diego. The pair literally met on the side of the road when their paths crossed in North Dakota. After one fateful night of talking and laughter, Sam adjusted his route so he could get to know Kaylie better. Over the next ten days, they fell in love along the way to Whitefish, Montana, where they were forced to say good-bye, and continue towards their separate destinations. They stayed in touch over the next ten months, until finally Kaylie moved to be near Sam. Four years passed before they planned another bicycling trip…

This time, ten miles into the ride, Sam gets a flat tire. Conveniently, they are just outside the beautiful Oasis on Lake Travis, so they decide to step inside for a margarita. They are on the balcony when Sam suddenly calls out to the entire restaurant, “May I have your attention, please?”. He got down on one knee, she said yes, and they left to (presumably) get back on their bicycles to ride home. But when they stepped outside, a helicopter (yes – a helicopter) landed next to the Oasis. The confused (but obviously excited) Kaylie joined her brand-new fiancé inside for strawberries and champagne while they were whisked away to the airport. They were met there with packed bags and plane tickets to – Whitefish, Montana! Sam had arranged for them to spend the weekend in the very same Mountain Lodge that they had stayed in their last night together on the first biking trip. Awwwww!

It was an utter delight to join Kaylie and Sam for both their pre-wedding party on a Lake Austin Riverboat Friday night, as well as their laughter-filled wedding on Saturday. We started out at the Stephen F. Austin Hotel, and then took a stagecoach through the city to The Allan House. While the whole ceremony was lighthearted and fun, the best part had to be when the Judge had to stop Sam from putting the ring on Kaylie’s finger before it was time. He said he was too excited to wait, and she assured him that Kaylie was not likely to run away now…

A special touch for the reception was a basket of flip flops set near the dance floor, with signs reading “When you get the chance to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance.” Guests were happy to comply – music was provided by the band Alter Ego. Later in the night, the incredibly amazing DJ Silver kept everybody working it until the wee hours of the morning.

Cortney Zieky of Something to Celebrate was “the boss of the wedding”, and a fabulous one at that!