Nicole and Travis were artists. Well, they had real jobs on the side, but you could tell their passion was art. They had very refined taste which is always more fun for me because they really appreciated what I did on a level that complimented my effort. Every says, ‘What pretty pictures,” but you could see they appreciated what I did for more than just that first knee jerk reaction. Most of the time, to make a picture something more amazing and a true statement about who is in the picture, it takes a little planning. And Nicole had planned to have something amazing for us when we walked into her 25th floor room at the Austin Hilton. The door opened and there was a huge plate glass window overlooking the city with the Frost Bank Tower right in the center. Now if her room had been on any other side of the hotel there is no way we would of had that view! WOW! If you are so lucky to be able to get a room at the Hilton before your wedding, please do and then contact me about your wedding.
The girls hair was done by Deborah Lira and the airbrush make-up was done by Lecia. I even got a little airbrush make-up applied when I asked her about the application. What a weird experience that was. Since becoming a wedding photographer in Austin, I’ve had many exotic things happen, but having make-up applied by airbrush was new.
After everyone was ready, the bride and groom separately traveled to an elegant old church in Downtown Austin, First Presbyterian Church, for the ceremony which was beautiful and simple. So many words of wisdom are uttered by pastors and and officiants at weddings and it is truly heartwarming to see it again and again in different ways during a wedding ceremony. It reminds me of my vows every time I am at a ceremony and makes capturing peoples weddings a meaningful business.
After the ceremony ended, Travis and Nicole walked one block over to The Austin Club, a great social club in Austin that opens its doors for weddings or receptions as was the case today.
Tammy Goral of Sparkling Engagements coordinated the event fabulously helping to keep everything running smoothly. It is beyond important to have a coordinator on your wedding day so all of the details will be handled and handled the way you desire them.
Their reception featured a wedding and groom’s cake made by the most fabulous baker in all of Austin, Simon Lee Bakery in Pflugerville. Oh the joy this baker brings to your mouth as you bite into their amazing confections!
They also had a photobooth from Lone Star Photobooths set up for the guests to shoot themselves in. That was a hoot and provided a lot of entertainment for a few kids who just couldn’t get enough of themselves!
After dinner catered by the Austin Club, dancing with music provided by Joel at Greenbelt DJ, a DJ who actually mixed music in a way that kept the crowd alive, and heartfelt words during the toast, the couple cut the cake before their last dance.
They exited swiftly to bubbles and cheering and entered a horse drawn carriage which took them to the Texas Capitol where I was able to shoot a few quick romantic wedding pictures of the happy couple before they were whisked back to the Hilton at the end of the evening.
The first wedding we booked in Austin was at the Austin Club and it certainly was a fantastic place. Great food and a great staff at a great old historical building in downtown Austin which is a social club when they are not hosting weddings or events for the general public. The ballroom is on the second floor and features mirrors everywhere which make the ballroom feel even bigger than it is. You can get in contact with them about your wedding at (512) 477-9496.