How To Have an Austin Wedding

First off, gather your closest, sweetest friends and family.

Then get all dolled up somewhere with an awesome view of Lady Bird Lake. 

Use only the best Austin vendors!

Brooke's day was made possible by Rhea McCarter (makeup), Fleurish Austin (flowers), and Pearl Events (coordination). Oh yeah...and Jenni Roberts Photography.

Have your dress designed by Austin's own Linda Asaf. You can find her adorable shop on West 6th. And didn't she do a beautiful job on Brooke's gown?!

To complete your one-of-a-kind Austin bride look, mix your custom-made pieces with heirlooms, old and new, borrowed and...uh...green pieces!

But let's face it! If you're getting married outside in Austin during the summer, keep it cool and casual for your 'maids and men! They can still look amazing and will thank you for it!

Now that everyone is ready, tie your knot at an Austin landmark. Brooke and Kyle chose the Umlauf Sculpture Garden.

Thanks to us getting some rain this year, everything was beautiful and green, and the pergola over the altar adds a little somethin'.

But again - keep your guests' comfort in mind and make sure they've got a way (or two!) to stay cool.

Now, you might be surprised by this next tip because it is somewhat traditional. While Austin brides love to redefine traditions to suit their personalities, they do it very thoughtfully and each change brings some sort of significance to their day. I think this is why every single wedding I've ever shot has still included the posed family shots after the ceremony.

There's really no getting around their "posed" nature, but that doesn't have to mean they look stiff and unnatural. And you know Brooke's grandma is going to frame that top right photo and smile at it every day for the rest of her life! Even when there's no bride's cake or bouquet toss, the family photos still get taken.

Since there's really not anywhere to hold a reception at Umlauf, choose from one of what must be hundreds of cool places around town. Now, it is Austin, so you'll probably be sitting in some traffic on the way there. So maybe you might want to book a stylish ride for the trip over.

...or a freakin' awesome one. You know, it's your call.

If you know what's good for you...or what tastes good anyway...you'll hold your reception at one of Austin's local restaurants. No worrying about how many tables to rent or how to decorate that big empty box of a ballroom? That's something a chill Austin bride will truly cherish!

Plus the food...well, 'nuff said!

I know that was a ton of photos, but really it's a pretty simple formula. Especially when all you really need to do is marry the coolest person you've ever met. Your best friend.

Somebody you wanna kiss like this:

Congratulations Brooke and Kyle!  I looooved sharing your day, and I pray for a lifetime of days as awesome as this one for y'all!