Design, Design Inspiration, Entertaining, Lifestyle, Look

Mid Autumn Night’s Dream: Our Fall Addison Grove Wedding in the Texas Hill Country

For someone who’s pretty punny, always rhyming, and a writer, I don’t often have trouble finding the right words. But, in all honestly, I’ve been sitting on this blog post in draft mode, revisiting, then stepping away on repeat over the past two months. Nope, it’s not because we were waiting on photos; it could be because of a fear that I might not be able to do the day justice, or that once the words were found and shared, I might finally have to admit that the most incredible day surrounded by a calm natural setting and people that we – our families, my Mom, and my precious husband – spent so much time carefully crafting, is behind us and this chapter is closed.

While I’m ecstatic to be married (!), and instantly relieved of emails, texts, phone calls, Pinterest pinning, mulling over this or that, and thinking about “how it’s gonna be”, I energetically and sometimes exhaustingly dated my way through my twenties, dreaming of a day where I’d walk down the aisle towards an incredible partner whose face was a mystery until Ross and I met and my groom came into focus. A wedding was always an experience I was excited to have up ahead. So, having such a magical series of moments in time behind us simply has me in awe, gratitude, and a state full of emotion. (Teary-eyed me over here.)

Oh, and when I started my blog 9 years ago about entertaining (with a longer than brief hiatus as some of life’s puzzle pieces were coming together), I hadn’t even thought that one day I might blog about my own wedding. Now that I’ve expanded my site to include new topics like design (inspired by our recent kitchen remodel) and lifestyle, I’m so excited to feature the largest event Ross and I, and our families, have ever designed and hosted while entertaining our dearest family and friends. Any writer may relate to the vulnerability you feel when expressing in words, thoughts, and feelings a personal, intimate experience. I’ve challenged myself to do so because so many were a part of our treasured wedding, so this is a tribute to those who helped us create it, and joined us in celebrating!

Here we go –  details of our Fall November outdoor ceremony and chic, yet rustic barn reception in the Texas Hill Country of Austin, Texas. I’m also so excited to share the work of so many talented people who made our vision come to life – through taste, feel, sound, and visual design! I owe all the credit to this team, as well as our families, and a special tribute to my Mom, who worked so hard that the outcome looks effortless!

The Vision

Color – It all started with this picture I saved from Instagram posted by a fantastic flower shop in Chicago, Asrai Garden, that I found before even being engaged. It inspired the rich pops of color and romantic, simple elegance vibe we aimed for. I describe my style as classic, with a touch of something unexpected, and I was set on a natural setting with pops of this vibrant color as an accent, noticeable against a neutral backdrop of green and brown trees and grass, as well as the indoor wooden barn.

I had no idea what to call the color either! After talking to florists on the phone and circulating the photo, one described it as “dark pink”, not magenta, not wine, not raspberry. Berry was pretty close, but I equated it to the color of beets – specific, I know. We weren’t certain it would be available in November when the design began, and you never fully know what florals are available in advance, but you try your best and cross your fingers tightly! Needless to say, our florist, Lee Warth Floral Design, nailed the hue and it was just so luscious, creating a warm tone for a gathering full of warmth and love.

 

Lee even incorporated pomegranates – an idea I had to make our near-Thanksgiving wedding date representative of the autumn harvest.

The orchids, peonies, and dahlias were exquisite!

The color scheme to complement the Dark Pink included Navy, White, and Gold. Major thank you to my beautiful sisters, for being by our side and celebrating every step of the way! They wore Jenny Yoo Charlie in Navy. I love their long-stem bouquets too!

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Our favorite niece and nephew!

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for simply being the best!

We all gained siblings and Ross became an uncle to the best flower girl and ring bearer around!

So honored and happy that our two families are now one!

Venue

I always pictured I’d get married in a calm setting, and having an outdoor ceremony in a Texas November would provide just that. Nestled underneath the willow trees, the setting sun seeped through at The Addison Grove, enveloping us, providing a peaceful haven where we promised to be by each other’s side though life and circled each other 7 times per the Jewish tradition. We united in marriage under the canopy of combined Tallit – Jewish ritual scarves – that belonged to our grandparents.

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The barn provided a sophisticated, open room with vaulted ceilings and chandeliers lighting the wooden structure. It also had an adjacent covered patio, the perfect place for our beverage bar, coffee bar, and s’mores bar.

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I was drawn to the bridal house – it was bright, full of natural light for photos, airy, had a kitchen, and plenty of space to get ready with my sisters, Grandma, niece, Mom, and Mother-in-Law in the hours leading up to the ceremony.

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Getting ready together with Grandma and flower girl…

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How I admire these incredible, beautiful ladies!!

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Isn’t Grandma Joyce just the best? I’m so happy we got to celebrate together, and even go up in the chairs during the horah (a traditional Jewish wedding dance).

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The natural light in the bridal house at The Addison Grove is just – yes!

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We signed the ketubah, Jewish marriage license, in the main room of the bridal house, surrounded by close family and friends. A toast before our ketubah signing.

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The gorgeous gold, black, and white ketubah was hand-designed by Edeet Bergman, an Israeli artist in New York, found on Etsy.

There was a groom’s room too! How handsome is my groom?! His suit was custom-made by Balani Custom Clothiers and even has our wedding date printed inside. (How awesome is it that he gets to wear his wedding outfit again?! Said every bride ever.)

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The venue provided just the perfect serenity for our wedding day, removed from the city hustle, yet accessible for our guests. There were longhorns on the property, presenting an authentic Texas experience for our out-of-towners and fun photo opps if you could catch them between grazing sessions.

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The covered porch where cocktail hour took place is behind us in the photo below.

The Addison Grove barn autumn wedding ross and rebecca

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The Dress

I was so fortunate to have found and worn 2017 collection Saturn by White One by Pronovias, from Melange Bridal. Romantic chantilly lace provided a delicate neckline and detailed lace appliqués extended through the waistline, providing movement and shape. The bodice, skirt, and train were made of the most comfortable crepe and the back had low tapered v-neck lace straps with three small buttons. This dress was so comfortable, I forgot I was wearing it (really – it just felt like a party with everyone we knew) – it was easy to dance in for our choreographed number too.

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Thank you to my Mom for putting on the finishing touches at the wedding, like my dress (even though it was so easy to slip on and zip up)…

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More getting ready…

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Time for the first look…

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Why walk, when you can run towards your groom? (Tip: Running is easy when you wear wedges – they’re so comfortable!)

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A sweet embrace and mad eye contact…

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Admiring each other’s getups.

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Doing a little spin…

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And now, find the photographer and say cheese…

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“We made it to our wedding day” smiles!

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Getting artistic…

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Isn’t my husband so sweet to help hold the train? He lends a hand, even when I’m not looking – I love him for that (and so many other lovable qualities).

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One of a few bridal portraits. Here’s that pop of color!

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The Dances

Ross and I took dance lessons at Windy City Wedding Dance, an intimate studio with a large window overlooking Millennium Park in Chicago. We had so much fun crafting our own number to Harry Connick Jr.’s “I Do (Like We Do)” with an upbeat tempo and swanky brass. Ross continues to impress me with his dancing abilities and his excitement about our dance lessons (future anniversary present perhaps?)

This move is called “the lean”.

Okay, maybe a bit racy for the internet…but we practiced dipping – a lot!

I don’t know where he learned his moves but my husband has rhythm!

One of my favorite of all-time moments was dancing with my Dad to Ray LaMontagne’s “You Are the Best Thing”. Dad is an awesome dancer – probably from watching my sisters and I at dance recitals every year when we were growing up! Dad likes the spotlight from time to time too.

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The Cake

Many moons ago (8 years, to be exact), I hosted a first birthday party for The Rebeccammendations (this blog)! And, five years later, I shared the amazing chocolate cake the Paloma, of Coco Paloma Desserts, made for the party! And so, when we decided to have our wedding in Austin, there was no question who would be making our chocolate – yes chocolate – wedding cake! Paloma baked a tiered cake with layers of chocolate and chai cake (in the spirit of fall flavors), with brown sugar and vanilla bean icing between the layers, frosted in chocolate ganache. It. was. phenomenal. It also made for a delicious breakfast in the morning when we woke up as husband and wife alongside some voice-rejuvenating tea.

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The Signage

In an effort to make our wedding as eco-friendly as possible, we opted not to have printed menus, programs, or table seating cards. In lieu of seating cards, our creative wedding artist, Averi at Averi With an Eye, wrote names on a mirror for guests to find their seats. She also created really fun re-usable wooden signs for our coffee and s’mores bars. The coffee bar was provided by Riser, giving guests a toasty cup of their favorite drink on a chilly Fall evening to accompany s’mores, provided by our tasty farm-to-table caterer, Royal Fig Catering.

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The Music

We were beyond lucky to have had the hot-as-can-be band in Austin, The Nightowls, sing and dance with us all night! The energy in the band is so contagious and the dance moves are so inviting, we jumped up there right with them!

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Music is essential to Ross and I, so it was important that we had the right music to set the tone for our ceremony, as well as reception. Ceremony music instrumental guitar was provided by the talented and our long time-family friend, Aaron Goldfarb of Austin Wedding Guitar.

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Photography and Video

A huge, huge thank you to Andy Sams Photography for capturing these amazing moments for hours on end! And the best video in all the land, complete with drone aerial shots of the venue capturing the season on our special day was shot by the Jake McDonald of Moonlit Weddings! These memories would not be as vivid, long-lasting, or even make a blog post if it weren’t for your talent! These moments take my breath away…

Here, Ross smashes the glass, a Jewish tradition that helps us remember our heritage and that together, we will work to repair the world and our communities. He stomped twice – he’s always making a statement!

Sealed with a kiss…

The greenery and the golden hour…

The snuggliest flower girl, my sweet niece.

Just the cutest!

This moment is just full of emotion and connection!

Our wedding would not be complete without a heartfelt thank you to Amy and her team at Platinum Weddings and Events. We’re still in awe of the most magical day that marked the start of what we hope to be an equally magical, vibrant, marriage overflowing with love and the best dance moves!

We are eternally grateful to our parents, family, and friends, who made our wedding possible – we’re already reliving it over and over again through stories, new connections, extended family, and these pictures.

What’s Next?

We’re taking the immense love packed into our wedding day with us into new experiences as a married couple! Stay tuned for honeymoon and travel posts, like this Top 10 Things to Do in Auckland, from our trip to New Zealand, since I’ll undoubtedly have an easier time finding the words 😉

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