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Featured Wedding: Austin was their Paris

This precious couple started dating in high school and saw their romance bloom through the Eyes of Texas and for those outside of Texas, that would be The University of Texas in Austin, Texas.

Although, both Dallasites, they chose the Austin area for their wedding, Austin was their city of love. The one who explains it best though, is the bride…

“Will and I met and started liking each other in high school. We met riding the bus together to Friday night football games! I was instantly smitten by his charm and personality. Will went away to UT Austin and I attended the year later. Last June 18th, after close to 8 years of our relationship going from young high school sweethearts to growing into a serious relationship, Will proposed outside on the patio at The Mansion on Turtle Creek!

“I’ve always wanted to get married somewhere other than Dallas so that guests could have a full weekend getaway experience. After looking at weddings from the Caribbean to California to Miami, it seemed to make perfect sense for us to do it in Austin — a city we both loved to get away to and where we really fell in love. We spent a lot of time at the Four Seasons in Austin with our families when they would visit in college and loved the views and amazing hospitality. We really wanted a place that could accommodate a beautiful ceremony site AND the reception so guests wouldn’t have to navigate a new city.

“The overall theme for out wedding was chic, soft and romantic but with a fresh look. I wanted the wedding to be timeless. I was drawn to neutral palettes – cream, ivory, white, champagne, yet I still have a side of me that loves, loves, loves bright colors so we incorporated little intense splashes of color throughout the wedding. The fuchsia floral on top of the greige velvet tete-e-tetes and the pink peonies in some of the table arrangements.

“The Four Seasons was amazing at accommodating all my requests: passed champagne and berry infused water as guests arrived at the outdoor ceremony (to cool everyone off and champagne to let them know we were excited to have a good time!); personalized hand fans as our programs to cool guests off (our photo on one side and ceremony info on the other); passed cold towels for the guests as they enter the cocktail hour after the ceremony; personalized neon sunglasses handed out towards the end of the night with “Billy and BB Smalls May 14, 2011” (Smalls is Will’s nickname) on the side for everyone to use as dancing props, and a flip book station!

Bridal Gown – Monique Lhuillier – Neiman Marcus Bridal Salon
Wedding Shoes – Manolo Blahnik
Bridesmaid Dresses – Amsale, Stanley Korshak Bridal Salon
Ceremony & Reception Venue - Four Seasons, Austin, Texas
Rehearsal Dinner – Duchman Family Winery in the Texas Hill Country
Cake – The Cake Plate in Austin
Wedding Planner – Todd Events
Wedding Flowers and Design – Todd Events
Photographer – Scott Hagar

Wedding Themes – Royal Wedding Inspiration

In less than two weeks all eyes will be glued to any and all coverage on the Royal Wedding. You can’t read (or watch) any media outlet without some tidbit on Prince William and Catherine Middleton (we even read one story saying that one will no longer be able to refer to the bride-to-be as “Kate” but rather “Catherine” due to her new Royal title!).

At StrictlyWeddings.com, we just wish the happy couple much joy and longevity.

So, what do we think a Royal bride should look like? Recently, we put together this photo shoot with just that in mind.

Photography – Thisbe Grace Photography
Flowers & Planning – Jordan Payne
Location – Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek
Jewelry – deBoulle
Bridal Gowns – Warren Barron Bridal
Hair – Sonia Trevino
Make up – Myra Rams-Sanabria/My Fabulous Faces
Model – Megahn Moll

Featured Wedding: Alexandra & Craig – Elegant, yet Modern

It started as a typical college romance. Two people meet at a fraternity/sorority party, fall in love and marry. Yet this romance of Alexandra Dillard and Craig Lucie went beyond the four years of college and stayed strong for eight years before vows were spoken. Four of those years were in cities on opposite coasts (and at certain times countries)!

“As I walked down the aisle,” said the bride, “the sun was setting at the perfect time through the church’s stained glass windows, and there was a gorgeous glow lighting up Craig and our minister as I approached the altar. It was stunning, and I will never forget that sight!” (Nor the symbolic message).

Our bride wrote a very long, but very sweet story. So enjoy the stunning photos below from Stephen Karlisch Photography, and then click to continue at the end to read the complete details from the bride!

Bride’s full maiden name: Denise Alexandra Dillard
Groom’s full name: Craig Andrew Lucie
Current city of residence: Florida
Hometown –  Bride: Little Rock, Arkansas and Groom: Jacksonville, Florida
Wedding date: 8/15/09
Ceremony location: Trinity Episcopal Church in Little Rock
Reception location: Country Club of Little Rock
Wedding Gown: Monique Lhuillier
Shoes: Custom-designed by Vince Camuto

Please continue for more on this featured wedding.

Featured Wedding – Marriage at Midnight – StrictlyWeddings.com

Couple: Jacqueline Morginstin & Joshua Wachtel
Date of Wedding: 12.31.09
Venue: Hilton Towers, Grand Ballroom
Décor: Kehoe Designs
Photographer: Ryan Sjostrom (décor shots) and R&R creative images (people shots)

This fairytale romance began when Jacqueline Morginstin was introduced to Joshua Wachtel at her roommates’ engagement party! Joshua swept her off her feet and a year and a half later he proposed to her by decorating The Morginstin families’ front yard with an enormous sign that read, “Jackie I love you, will you marry me?” When Jacqueline arrived to the home she jumped out of the car screaming with excitement… All the neighbors came out of their homes to see what was going on and it turned into a block party!

Then the celebration really began at their 2010 New Years Eve wedding! (Enjoy the photos, then read the rest of the story about this dazzling wedding)

Love and glamour surrounded the couple at their dazzling wedding in the Grand Ballroom of the Chicago Hilton Towers. An enchanted Cinderella style three-tiered chuppah covered in white roses welcomed the blushing bride! Jacqueline and Joshua were wed to one another in front of 425 of their closest friends and family. “I could not have been happier with the overall outcome of the wedding and reception, it was honestly perfection. Walking into the ceremony, without even a glimpse of it in advance. It was like stepping into heaven,” glowed Caryn Morginstin, mother of the bride.

The couple and guests celebrated the beginning of a new year and a new life together! The romantic ballroom was complimented with gold and bronze décor, rich chocolate and cream fabric treatments and white floral provided by Kehoe Designs. Each table was accented with one of five unique grandiose centerpieces, adding drama and height variation to the room; consisting of draping crystals, water fountains, cascading white phaleonopsis orchids, hydrangea and lilies. “Working with Tom Kehoe and his team was such an honor, I hope everyone is so lucky. The way Tom matched the linens, from BBJ, to the centerpieces and the plates was just beautiful,” said Caryn. Their enormous white wedding cake was covered in hundreds of flowing white roses, standing out against the dark passionate room. And when the clock struck midnight, loads of balloons were released from above with excitement!

“The wedding was the talk of the city, USA, and most of Europe. The Spielberg’s were there, the head of Luxe hotels around the country. They’ve seen it all, but they said never anything quite like this. We will never forget it. Tom knocked the socks off of everyone, and left them speechless. Saturday night was just the icing on the cake. Totally unexpected and wonderful (as always),” said Caryn. “We chose Kehoe Designs because there is no one better in the industry. Kehoe Designs is simply the best! No one executes a party like Tom Kehoe. Just walking into his showroom you are already wrapped in the feeling of excitement, everything is just beyond exquisite. When we had our showing it just took my breath away.”