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

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

“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.