Hey, girl. Think you need flowers in your wedding? Think again.
Lauren’s never been a flower fan, and when it came to her and Daniel’s wedding, she went all greenery. All the way, including her bouquet. And it was gorgeous, as was the rest of their day at The Addison Grove. Shares Lauren, “I’ve never been a fan of flowers, I’ve known since I was a kid that I didn’t want any. Instead, we had tons of greenery. I also decided to not pick a color, instead we just had all white where we could, with a few gold accents here and there, with neutral/pink touches on a few very minor details (like the napkins and the usher’s ties). I’ve also known since I was a child that I wanted cafe lighting. It made it feel so cozy, similar to our home and really our relationship as a couple!”
Adding to the soft, warm vibe were the favors. Lauren’s a HUGE mug fan and knew they had to play a part in their day. So, she chose a diner style mug and asked her maid of honor, who’s a designer, to help create them. “I am still obsessed. I drink my morning coffee out of it at least once a week. Our guests were in love with them, too, they went like hotcakes!”
All those special, thoughtful touches amounted to a beautiful, personal day with elements that Lauren somehow managed to keep a surprise to everyone except for Daniel!
Get the scoop on the moment Lauren knew Daniel was the one, how she chose their first dance song, their Saint Lucia honeymoon, and why she is SO happy she hired a videographer from our sweet bride below.
How did you know he was “the one”?
“We were at lunch together because we decided to ride together to a work thing and wanted to grab food after (you may even be able to consider it one of our first dates). We went to a restaurant I’ve been coming to since I was a child that has so many memories for me already. The scenery is beautiful, it’s all outdoors and in the trees overlooking a river. I was sitting all alone in their waiting area under the trees, and he had run to the bathroom real quick. When he came walking back out, there was no one else around, Landslide by The Chicks was playing, and we were both just looking at each other smiling as he walked back over to me. I felt like I was in a movie and I just knew.”
wedding gown: custom Lea-Ann Belter Patrice via Bridal Boutique Lewisville | photographer: Rachael at Paige Vaughn Photo | full vendor list at bottom
How did you guys get engaged?
“While we were on a cruise, but in private on the balcony of our room (at midnight because he had been very nervous and putting it off until the last night). I asked him to keep his proposal intimate and small since neither of us are big on attention. It was perfect.”
Tell us about your outfits!
“My dress was exactly what I had imagined. It was a custom Patrice, with long sleeves, lace, pearlescent buttons all down the back, and a big full skirt. My husband and the groomsmen all wore tuxes, and our bridesmaids all wore different shades of tan/pinks in velvet.”
Why did you decide to get married where you did?
“We went to college near Austin, Texas and while we do currently live in Dallas, Texas, we plan to move back there eventually because we love the hill country. It was also great middle ground for our families since mine lives in Dallas and his lives in a small town on the coast of Texas.”
Tell us about your day!
“I knew I wanted it to be light and airy, and in the winter because Texas can get very hot. I’ve never been a fan of flowers, I’ve known since I was a kid that I didn’t want any. Instead, we had tons of greenery. I also decided to not pick a color, instead we just had all white where we could, with a few gold accents here and there, with neutral/pink touches on a few very minor details (like the napkins and the usher’s ties). I’ve also known since I was a child that I wanted cafe lighting. It made it feel so cozy, similar to our home and really our relationship as a couple! The whole look came together so well, it was so rewarding seeing everything on the day of, because it was everything I could’ve imagined and more.“
What was your first dance song?
“Tenerife Sea by Ed Sheeran. It honestly took the entire 2 1/2 years of planning (we had to postpone our wedding due to COVID) for us to decide on a song.
I wanted to make sure it was something that actually had sentimental value to us as a couple rather than it just being a cute song. And while Ed Sheeran is a very popular option for weddings, the album that this song was on came out around the same time we started dating, I listened to it nonstop. The whole thing reminds me of him and that whole whirlwind feeling of when we first started dating. It was perfect for us. We did also dance to Ordinary People by John Legend at the end, alone. He sang me this song on the drive home from our 1st dating anniversary dinner, and since he had stopped singing years before we met, it was a big deal for him to do this and it’s still one of my favorite memories. It was so special, I knew right at that moment that it would be played at our wedding one day.”
One detail you couldn’t live without?
“I’m obsessed with collecting coffee mugs. I have been for about 10 years now. I collect one everywhere I visit, so I knew we had to have them as favors at our wedding. This is yet another thing I’ve known for years just absolutely had to be at my wedding. I chose a very cute diner style mug, they had to have character. I asked my MOH to help us design them since she’s a designer, and I am still obsessed. I drink my morning coffee out of it at least once a week. Our guests were in love with them, too, they went like hotcakes!”
What was the most important aspect for you, in terms of planning your wedding?
“I wanted everyone there to have a good time and for them to have a very memorable experience. So I planned everything on my own to keep it a surprise to basically everyone except my husband. We did get a month of coordinator for the day of and last-minute stuff (which I highly recommend), that way none of our friends or family had to worry about helping out with anything the day of. Don’t get me wrong, they always tried to offer a lending hand, but it all worked out perfectly and I can tell from the stories and the photos that everyone really did have a great time!”
What was the funniest moment of your day?
“My husband is an identical twin (you can see where this is going). At the reception someone started clinking their glass hoping we’d kiss, and soon the whole room joined in. Everyone is staring at me, and I look to my right to see my new brother in law next to me and my husband nowhere to be found. Keep in mind this was the first time about half of the room had ever met his twin, so they didn’t know the difference. I quickly started yelling “this is not Daniel!” and shaking my head/making hand gestures because no one could hear me over the clinking. I frantically started running around the room trying to find my actual husband. It turns out he was sitting at a random table in the back corner catching up with friends. It gave everyone a laugh!”
What was your something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue?
“My something old and borrowed are the same item- my nanas jewelry from her wedding day. A pearl necklace and pear earrings. Every granddaughter wears them on their wedding day and I was so excited it was finally my turn. My something blue is my Heidi Gibson ring. It is a beautiful Art Deco custom ring with aquamarine in the middle. 2 1/2 years later and I’m still obsessed with this thing. And my something new is my dress, does that count? I wasn’t too worried about having all these items so it all worked out!”
Three words that best describe your partner:
“Cheesy, handsome, and cozy.”
Where did you go on your honeymoon?
“Saint Lucia, such a beautiful island! We got to see the famous Pitons (mountains), take a natural mud bath near the active volcano, swim in a gorgeous waterfall, and go snorkeling- among many other things.”
Any tips for couples getting married?
“Everyone is right when they say it goes by fast. Also, hire that videographer! We almost didn’t, then decided to at the last second and I’m so glad we did. Between that and the photos, there were so many moments that were caught that we didn’t even know happened because we were so busy running around all night trying to be everywhere at once. Just do it, you’ll be so thankful you did because once it’s all over, you’re going to spend the next month just going through your pics and videos trying to relive it all!”
Lauren + Daniel’s Austin Wedding Vendors
wedding gown: custom Lea-Ann Belter Patrice via Bridal Boutique Lewisville | photographer: Rachael at Paige Vaughn Photo | planner: Stacy at Eclipse Event Co. | venue: The Addison Grove | bridesmaid dresses: Revelry | suiting: Men’s Wearhouse | hair and makeup: Selma & Micaela at Luna Beauty and Bridal | florals: HEB | cake: Lacey’s Little Bakery | catering: PEJ Events | drapery: Unique Design and Events | lighting: ILIOS Productions | videographer: Fervent Weddings | ring: Heidi Gibson | Officiant: I Pronounce You | DJ: Eddie at DJ Byrne Rock