Emily & Lee’s gorgeous destination wedding took place in Austin, Texas at Queen of Angel’s Chapel and Star Hill Ranch, and was photographed by Sweet Caroline Photography. Emily & Lee still consider Austin home, even though they live in Durham, North Carolina now. I love the colors of this wedding – so perfect for the setting! Emily was kind enough to answer all sorts of questions for us!
How did the two of you meet? Through the magic of the internet – match.com
Tell us about the proposal! Lee popped the question on a rock island just off the beach in Costa Rica, in front of a cottage we’d rented for the week. Even though he had plotted the proposal for months, getting advice from almost everyone we knew, I was still shocked when he flipped over a coconut shell, pulling out a ring box and knelt down in front of me. I eventually recovered my wits and said yes.
What made you choose to have a destination wedding? We’d both lived in Austin for years, so it was the only place that we could imagine having the wedding. It’s home, even though we live in Durham, NC right now.
What was the most memorable moment about your wedding day? Wow – that’s tough to say. Mostly, the peaceful, happy feeling I had all day. Seeing Lee for the first time, as the doors of the church opened. Walking out after the reception through a corridor of all our loved ones holding sparklers in the warm May night.
What was your favorite detail from your wedding day? The place we held the reception, Star Hill Ranch. It perfectly shared that spirit of relaxed, old-fashioned time to hang out with much loved family and friends that was central to what we wanted our wedding day to be.
Did you honeymoon at your wedding destination, or go somewhere special afterwards? We headed to a beach resort on the Riviera Maya.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your wedding? Lee bought truffles as a surprise for my bridesmaids, my mom, and me and had one of the groomsmen deliver them to us while we were getting ready, along with notes he’d written to each of us – such a sweet and fun surprise, and just like him!
Ceremony Venue: Queen of Angel’s Chapel
Reception Venue: Star Hill Ranch
Photography: Sweet Caroline Photo
Florist: Katie Hood – 512-983-2560
Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori
Caterer: Gourmet Guys and Gals
Bride’s Dress: Emily prefers to keep that one a secret!
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: JCrew
Groom & Groomsmen’s Attire: Men’s Wearhouse
Stationary: The Station House
DJ: Ryan Guthrie – Altered Weddings
Hairstylist: Vanity Salon
Jewelry – Necklace, Earrings, Tiara, Veil: heirlooms or borrowed
Shoes: PiperLime and DSW
Any other vendors? Etsy goodies? All the little vases on the tables came from various thrift stores around Austin, Ft. Worth, and Durham. The material we cut up for cocktail napkins came from JoAnn Fabrics. The chocolates came from Teuscher’s and Quack’s (vegan).
More of Sweet Caroline’s photographs from this wedding here.
Thank you again to Emily & Lee for sharing your wedding with us!
Dan & MacKensie of Grapevine, Texas decided to head south for their destination wedding in Cabo San Lucas. What a perfect setting for their wedding day! Thank you to Chavvon & Larissa, Dallas wedding photographers for sharing the beautiful photography with us!
MacKensie shared with us some of the details about their special wedding:
How did you meet?
Our mutual friend introduced us at a boxing party that Danny was throwing. With constant group gatherings, we became closer friends over the summer.
Tell us about the proposal!
Technically, Danny still has not asked! However, he did take me to New York City on New Year’s Eve. Together we picked out a ring in the Diamond District and then celebrated New Year’s in Times Square.
Why a destination wedding?
Both of us love to travel and we thought it would be fun to have our friends and family along with us!
How did you know your destination would be the perfect place to hold your wedding?
We traveled to Hilton Los Cabos the year before and absolutely fell in love with the resort. It became a special place to us, so when we decided to have a destination wedding, it was the obvious choice.
What was the most memorable moment about your wedding day?
Danny enjoyed deep sea fishing that morning, but claims his real catch was later that day! I enjoyed the “getting ready” ritual with my daughter and then the casual ceremony with our closest friends and family.
What was your favorite detail from your wedding day?
A blue sky, the sound of waves, a sandy beach under our feet, and saying our vows.
Did you honeymoon at your wedding destination, or go somewhere special afterwards?
Vegas, baby!
What was your favorite detail from your wedding day?
We enjoyed every minute with our friends and family in Cabo San Lucas. We were also thrilled that our friends, Chavvon and Larissa were able to capture all of our special moments. Now we can look at our beautiful photos and remember our wonderful day forever!
Thanks to all the vendors that made Dan & MacKensie’s wedding so special!
Ceremony, Reception and Wedding Cake: Hilton Los Cabos Beach Resort
Photography: Chavvon and Larissa Photography
Florist: Flowers by Rene
DJ: DJ Joaquin
Jewelry: Beautiful Barefoot Sandals
Leo Druker sent us today’s real destination wedding – Kathy & Matt’s wedding at Natural Bridge, Virginia. What a gorgeous location and a perfect setting for this couple! Now I want to visit Virginia and see this place in person!
Here are all the details from Kathy!
How did you & Matt first meet?
They always tell you not to meet people in a bar but thats exactly where Matt and I met – at the Firkin and Bulldog. I went with my siblings and friends to eat dinner and hang out for the night. Matt had just flown into town a few days prior. He and some work friends were staying in the hotel across the street and had come over for a drink. At some point during the night they started talking to my brother and eventually I jumped in and introduced myself. I thought he was cute. We ended up exchanging numbers and the rest is history. We also found out later in the relationship that we met on my parent’s anniversary, which is eerie because I compare Matt and myself to my mother and father all the time. Soulmates. 
Tell us about the proposal!
I met Matt while he was in Virginia on work travel. He actually lived in California and would get monthly “home visits.” After a particularly difficult visit home Matt finally arrived back in Virginia early one morning. I had put off going into work so I could see him for a short while. As he drove up I ended up running down the street in my robe and up to his parked car to surprise him. He looked kind of stunned and hopped out of the car and gave me an awkward hug. As he slowly pushed me away he presented me with a ring we had previously purchased as an example for the engagement ring he had recently put a down payment on. He went down to one knee. “Katherine Angel, you are my soulmate and the love of my life, I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I cant wait for the other damn ring. Will you marry me?” and I said “Of course!” When he got the real engagement ring he proposed again at a local park late at night. He set up a camera to take a photo every 10 seconds to capture my reaction and took me completely by surprise. He’s so very sweet.
What made you choose to have a destination wedding?
Matt and I are constantly taking road trips. We love adventure and exploring. We’ve actually visited most of the major caverns in Virginia and we know I-81 like the back of our hands. We knew we wanted to take people out of the norm and bring them into little our world. We wanted an outdoor wedding and we knew we wanted it somewhere amazing. We also really liked the idea of having the ceremony and the reception done together at a hotel, that way our friends could stay and experience more of the beauty in the area and the 3 hour drive to get there wouldn’t seem so bad!
How did you know your destination would be the perfect place to hold your wedding?
This is the first stop of our very first road trip together and is the place where we first felt solidified as a couple. The place where we first knew what we had was something BIG and that we’d be together forever. It could not have been more perfect for our wedding, such a great mix of nature and beauty.
What was the most memorable moment about your wedding day?
The cake cutting. When we gathered at the table it was just really amazing to stand there on one side and look across to see every one of your friends and family crowded around. The lighting was just right and it backlit them perfectly. I realized in that moment that they had all driven this long distance and dedicated an entire weekend to celebrating with Matt and I. That we mattered that much to all these people. We were both so very thankful. It was just very humbling moment of the wedding and it stands out to me.
What was your favorite detail from your wedding day?
That all the groomsmen had beards. I am a total beard chaser so Matt had the groomsmen, my father and several friends all grow beards for my wedding. I was happy! The Converse shoes were also a favorite detail of ours. They really tied the bridal party together.
What was the best part of having a destination wedding?
It’s like a big retreat for all your family and friends. We were running into people all day the day of the wedding as we set up and they were checking in. It allowed everyone to relax and really focus on having a good time because everyone stayed at the hotel and no one had to drive home. It also allowed for us to have a lunch the next day to sit and talk to any guests who stayed behind and wanted to eat with us. I just liked everyone not being in a rush to come or go, we all just relaxed and hung out.
Did you honeymoon at your wedding destination, or go somewhere special afterwards?
We stopped in at Harrisonburg the night after the wedding for a romantic get-a-way but went home that weekend. We actually celebrated our honeymoon the weekend after the wedding by flying out to California and spending some time in the sun at the beach!
Anything else you would like to share about your wedding?
My mother and sister made everything happen. I would have been a mess without them. My family really pulled together and about 70% of what was made/seen at the wedding we did ourselves. I wanted a natural, laid back, breathtaking, daisy covered, DIY (do it yourself) wedding and that is exactly what I got. I could not be happier.
Vendors:
Ceremony Venue: Natural Bridge, VA
Reception Venue & Catering: The Jefferson Room – Natural Bridge, Virginia
Photography: Leo Druker
Florist: Anita’s Pettie Fleur (Stafford, VA) did the bouquets and boutonnieres. Kathy’s family put together the centerpieces and reception decor from fresh flowers.
Cake: Made by my Aunt Linda Percival. It was amazing. We also had a cheesecake bar and the cheesecakes were all purchased from Costco.
Stationary: Michaels, DIY
Bride’s Dress: Maggie Sottero
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Alfred Angelo
Groom’s Attire: I Thee Wed
Groomsmen’s Attire: I Thee Wed
DJ: Andy Wilfong
Lighting: Provided by DJ
Hairstylist & Makeup Artist: Lindsey and Summer at The Salon of Lexington.
Jewelry – Matt and I wore matching dog tag necklaces, I also wore my mother’s diamond earrings and wore a birdcage veil made by my sister.
Shoes: Payless for the Bride. Girls got to choose their own white shoes. Groomsmen were all Converse.
Wedding Tree (Guestbook): Etsy from the seller lovliday
Garter: Etsy from the seller hellodesigncrew
Fabric for Birdcage Veil: Etsy from the seller irinaboutique
Thank you again to Kathy & Matt for allowing us to feature your wedding here, and to Leo Druker for the wonderful destination wedding photographs he gave us permission to share!
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