Alison and Austin

These high school sweethearts had a charming backyard wedding captured by Nikk Nguyen Photo, at Lala Park in the Texas Hill Country, that was full to overflowing with bohemian charm! The couple wanted something intimate, natural, simple, and FUN and with a lot of DIY flair, Alison and Austin created a moment for themselves that we just cannot stop looking at!

Message from the photographer, Nikk Nguyen Photo:

“I can’t think of anywhere else that has a better setup for a backyard bohemian wedding than La La Park in San Marco, Texas. This wedding venue was perfect for hosting Alison and Austin’s intimate and lively special day with their close family and friends.

Alison and Austin are one of the warmest and friendliest couples I’ve ever met. There’s rarely a moment captured where you don’t see them beaming with sheer delight! One thing I know for certain is that by simply being in close proximity of these two, I couldn’t help but find myself getting caught up in their euphoria. Alison and Austin were super laid back and their contagious light-heartedness easily lifted the atmosphere!”

How did you meet?

We are high school sweethearts! We were together for 10 years before we got married. We have grown up and changed a lot along the way, but we've been changing together. We love that we were each other's first and forever loves.

What's your proposal story?

We decided to take a trip to Denver in the winter of 2017. Because we both love nature (we both graduated with environmental undergraduate degrees!), Austin decided to propose at the Denver Botanic Gardens. We arrived just before closing, so they let us in for half price. We went back to the Japanese garden, and Austin proposed on a secluded bridge over a frozen pond. It was perfect! Afterward, we were lucky enough to be able to celebrate with family!

Tell us a little bit about your wedding (your vision, colour, style and location choices)

Neither of us had a clear vision of what we wanted for our wedding. We are not picky, we are not great decision makers, and we did not have strong opinions about the wedding. We just wanted it to be full of love and fun. The wedding was not nearly as important to us as the life we were about to start together. Luckily, we have some family members who were able to help us find our vision! We wanted something intimate, simple, and natural, and we wanted to prevent waste wherever possible. And we just wanted to dance and create a fun atmosphere. That's why we chose La La Park, it was a beautiful home in the Texas Hill Country that was on about 10 acres. It offered us a laid back outdoor venue that was a serene natural backdrop for our wedding. It allowed us to be outside, under a beautiful live oak tree, to commit our lives to each other.

Tell us about your choice of attire.

We both didn't put too much emphasis on what we decided to wear.

The groom took the opportunity to get a suit and purchased a blue suit (he had to be able to wear it again!). Along with the suit the groom wore his favourite floral tie and just had to pull the look together with a southwestern shirt (we're in Texas after all) that was dotted with cacti.

What was the most important thing to you as a couple while you were planning? Was there anything that you chose to splurge on or to skip?

Most of our ideas for our wedding were conceived around simplicity. We decided we could skip the traditional cake, party favours, and having a wedding party. The closest thing to a splurge would've been our photographer. The one thing we wanted above all else was great photos we could look back on when we're older and remember our wedding day. We certainly made the right choice with Nikk Nguyen Photography. Our photos were everything we could have hoped for and that was one of the most important elements of our wedding.

What were your favourite parts of the day? (memories and stories)

With the wedding being VERY DIY, we had a lot of last minute things to tidy up the day of the wedding. It would've been crazy stressful, but luckily we had tons of family and friends around to help get everything in order. One of the groom's fond memories was setting up the tables and linens with two of his best friends in the world (one of which officiated our ceremony). That memory is special, but seeing the bride for the first time was easily the best part of the wedding. Seeing the bride for the first time was breath-taking and is a moment the groom will never forget. We also took about 10 minutes for some personal time directly after the ceremony, that time was incredible to be able to sit and reflect and talk about how crazy the whole day had been! Getting a little alone time prior to stepping back into the craze that is a wedding was huge.

Tell us about your wedding flowers.

Our wedding flowers were selected and arranged by my sister-in-law. I just told her what colours I wanted, and she took it from there. They were more beautiful than I could have imagined. She did a great job.

Tell us about your wedding cake.

We decided that we wanted to do something slightly unorthodox and opted to forgo the traditional cake. Instead, we elected to have donuts instead of a wedding cake! We chose to order an assortment of donuts from VooDoo Donuts. We couldn't be happier with that decision! It was simple, it didn't cost one million dollars and who doesn't like donuts?!

Tell us all about any DIY, handmade or personal details that you chose to include in your day.

It was all DIY! The groom's sister-in-law was indispensable; She showed up early on the day of our wedding and made all of our centrepieces and flower arrangements, and boutonnieres. Our wedding would not have had the look we wanted without her. In addition, we recycled decorations from the bride's brother's wedding a few months prior and had the bride's mother help in putting together table decorations.

Did you include any family heirlooms or special traditions?

The bride's engagement ring belonged to the groom's great grandmother.

Do you have any advice for couples planning their weddings at the moment?

Relax! It isn't about the wedding. Be present. Feel everything that you are experiencing. Do your best to stay in the moment. Everyone says it because it's true, but it'll be over in a flash and you'll be sorry if you don't take the time to enjoy it!

MEET THE TEAM:

Photographer: Nikk Nguyen Photo

Event Venue: Lala park

Cake Designer: VooDoo Donuts

Caterer: Lupe Tortilla

Makeup Artist: SC Beauty

Hair Stylist: SC Beauty

Dress Designer: David’s Bridal

Groomsman Attire: Men’s Wearhouse

Rustic Love at Providence Cotton Mill

Inspired by historic architecture, rustic romance and a love of natural elegant colours, this styled shoot captured by Stephanie Bailey Photography at The Providence Cotton Mill, nestled on the outskirts of Maiden, NC. This stunning venue gives you an old-world charm, with an inviting outdoor feel. Surrounded by green fields and a plush forest, the 130 year old, two story building features a soaring 30 ft. tall ceiling, allowing abundant sunlight to stream in through the arched, open windows creating a feeling of romance and elegance that is simply magical!

A Message from the photographer, Stephanie Bailey Photography:

“This styled shoot was inspired by historic, rustic love as well as elegant, natural colors including greens and reds. I chose The Providence Cotton Mill as the venue since there is so much history there. Right outside of Charlotte, NC, the 130 year old mill gives you a rustic vibe allowing endless sunlight to stream in through the tall arched, open windows. With the surrounded green fields and a plush forest, there are many places to venture off to and explore. This old-world charmed styled wedding included 4 couples who are married and profoundly in love. There was no question that these models were meant for this shoot. I am so thankful for my talented vendors and chose each one based on their unique passion for their niche.”

MEET THE TEAM:

Photographer: Stephanie Bailey Photography

Event Venue: The Providence Cotton Mill

Floral Designer: Southern Blossom Florist

Equipment Rentals: Elegant and Classy Events LLC

Invitation Designer: Sarah Jo Design

Cake Designer: Nona’ s Sweets Bakery Cafe

Beauty: Alter-Image Bridal Hair & Makeup

Makeup Artist: Alter-Image Bridal Hair & Makeup

Dress Designer: Allure Bridals

Dress Store: New York Bride and Groom

Bridesmaid Dresses: Watters Bridal Inc

Bridesmaid Dresses: Refined Grace Bridal

Krysta and Jordyn

Krysta and Jordyn meet in high school in Krysta's freshman year and Jordyn's Junior Year, on the soccer field! To celebrate their love the couple chose, Lindsay Dawn Photography, to capture this fun filled colorful engagement session at the North Coast Harbor - Voinovich Bicentennial Park. We caught up with them below to hear more about their love story.

What makes your relationship special? Tell us some things that you both value in your time together. (example: pushing each other to new limits, love to travel, huge comic book fans, foodies, etc.) What makes your relationship unique? Our relationship is so special because since day one we just got each other. We know what each other is thinking or going to say. We are COMPLETELY opposite of each other and I think that’s what pulls us even closer. I mean they say opposites attract right! We both value the trust we have in one another. I know any time that Jo is around I’m safe. We are constantly pushing each other to our limits rather it be in new hobby’s we pick up or grad school or a new recipe we are trying for dinner. The support we have for each other is amazing.

How did you know your partner was the one? When did you first know this in your relationship? (these may often be the same moment, but aren’t always) It took me a long time to take down walls and completely let Jo in, but once I did and she didn’t look at me any different and was there to be my rock I knew she was who I wanted forever. When She left for college I felt like half of me was missing. We talked every day as much as we could but it was hard some times with me being a Junior in high school and being in soccer And other extra curricular activities and Jo being in college being in college and having crazy class times, but somehow we just made it work. We have always made time for one another regardless of what is going on. Once I graduated from high school I moved out to Toledo where Jo was attending school so we could start our adult life together, and here we are, 8.5 years later and she still makes me feel like I’m on top of world every day.

Give us all the details about the proposal. How and where did it happen? Was it a surprise? What was the planning process? Jo brought my engagement ring in February 2018 but did not propose till May 2018. She had it all planned out with my best friend Connie, That had moved to Wisconsin and I have not seen any while. So we made the eight hour car ride with two dogs in the car (which was a lot of fun NOT) and I had no idea where we were going. After sitting in the car for five hours, while texting Connie while she was acting like she had no clue where we were going, I saw a sign for Wisconsin, and immediately knew we were going to see Connie and I thought that was my big surprise! Well I was wrong! We went to this beautiful state park to go on a nice walk and catch up on pictures because Connie told me she got a new Lens for her camera (Which was not true) and once we got to this beautiful area where the sun was just shining so perfectly, I turned around a Jo was down on one knee holding this BEAUTIFUL ring, asking me to forever be her wife. With tears running down my face, completely shocked I SAID YES! Jo was planning this for some time. She just wanted it to be perfect and it was! Definitely a time in my life I will NEVER forget!

We’re all about the bling… Tell us all about that ring! A vintage, double halo, princess cut

Are you excited to start planning your wedding day? Do you have any ideas in mind yet? I was sooooo excited to start planning. This is a moment that I have always dreamed of since I was a little girl. So now that I had the perfect person to spend my life with I couldn’t wait to start planing my dream wedding! We are having a fall, rustic wedding while being surrounded by our friends and family.

MEET THE TEAM:

Photography: Lindsay Dawn Photography

Location: North Coast Harbor - Voinovich Bicentennial Park