AN ELEGANT EVENING AT THE GROVE

February 3, 2020
Refection of the groom fixing his cuff links in his hotel room in downtown Austin.
Bride throws her head back in laughter as her puppy nuzzles into her neck in her hotel room in downtown Austin.
Bride adjusts the bow-tie around her father's neck as they smile at each other in excitement.
Bride's mother laughs as she holds the bridesmaid's gifts before the wedding. Bride walks downstairs after she has finished preparing for her big day.
The Episcopal Church of Good Shepherd in Austin, Texas.
Light falls through the stain glass windows before the ceremony in the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. The bride walks down the aisle with her father.
The bride shows off her elegant dress as she reveals herself for the first time to her groom on their wedding day.
The groom grins as his bride is revealed to him for the first time on their wedding day.
Bride and groom cannot hide their grins as they speak minutes before their ceremony.
Flower girl is escorted down the aisle during the ceremony.
The Grove restaurant in downtown Austin prepared for the reception.
The Grove restaurant in downtown Austin before the reception.
Wide shot of the ceremony in the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd.
Bride and groom kissing as husband and wife. Bride and groom smiling and walking down the aisle after their ceremony.
Bride and groom holding onto each other during their first dance, grinning with excitement.
Bride does a twirl with her father on the dance floor during the father-daughter dance.
Bride and groom kiss on the dance floor during their first dance as friends and family cheer them on. The groom dances with his laughing mother.
The bride scrunches up her face in laughter as she is twirled on the dance floor of her reception.
Mother dances with child in her hand and laugh towards the camera.
Woman in green floral dress dances and laughs at herself on the dance floor during the reception.
Bride and groom share their first slice of their five-tier cream wedding cake.
Bride and groom under the glowing sign of Hut's Hamburgers restaurant in downtown Austin.
Friends of the bride and groom laugh in their Statue of Liberty caps while eating during the reception.
Parents of the groom laugh in each other's arms on the dance floor of the reception.
Friends of the bride and groom smile to each other in excitement on the dance floor.
Friend of the bride and groom dance in their glasses on the dance floor.
Friends of the bride and groom smile towards the camera as they dance at the reception with their customizes sunglasses.
Family members laugh and embrace each other with huge grins during the reception.
Woman smiles at the camera in excitement during the reception party.
Bride hugs her guests goodbye after the reception wearing their New York caps.
Bride and groom embrace one final time as they walk out of the reception venue, surrounded by family members holding sparklers
Bride and groom drive off together and wave goodbye to remaining friends and families after the reception.

How did you choose your venues: Good Shepard and The Grove

I chose The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd because I grew up in the neighborhood had attended services there during high school and law school.

For my reception, I had some pretty specific boxes that I really wanted to check: 1) downtown/close to downtown, 2) unique, non-ballroom space, 3) a personal connection, 4) good food, 5) and a high guest capacity (300+)  My father’s restaurant, The Grove, was the only place in town that checked all of those boxes! It was SUCH a great place to have a wedding reception. It turns out, the layout is perfect for a wedding – there were so many different places for guests to mingle, and I loved the mix of indoor and outdoor spaces.

Describe your decor and how you chose it?

We were lucky that our venue, The Grove, came already decorated! We decided to enhance the existing decor with flowers, greenery and soft candlelight, instead of trying to cover anything up. Westbank Flower Market did an amazing job with the flowers. We used most of the existing restaurant furniture (chairs, banquets, bars) and rented extra furniture, tablecloths, and a dance floor from Whim Hospitality.

Tell me about your attire – who designed your dress and where did you buy it?

My dress was designed by Carolina Herrera, and I purchased it at the Saks bridal salon in NYC!


What shoes did you choose and what jewelry did you wear?

I wore white Alexandre Birman Vicky heeled sandals – I knew I needed a chunky heel to dance in all night!

For jewelry, I chose pieces that all had special meaning to me. I wore my mom’s earrings, my grandmother’s watch, a bracelet given to me by my parents for my 30th birthday, and a gold family signet pinky ring that my grandmother gave to all of her grandchildren for their 18th birthdays.

Who designed the bridesmaids dresses?

I decided not have bridesmaids and just had my sister as my maid of honor! I For her dress, we wanted something that didn’t scream “bridesmaid.” The one-shoulder light purple Badgley Mischka dress she picked was perfect and looked so great on her.

And your groom – tell me about his look – who was his suit designer? Any other significant accessories?

Randy wore the tuxedo he already had – if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it! He paired it with vintage gold Tiffany knot cufflinks and studs that I gave him as a wedding present.

Why did you choose me, Jenny, to be your wedding photographer?

I had seen your photos from friends’ weddings and loved them! You did such a good job at capturing the small, unchoreographed moments.

What was one of your favorite moments from your wedding day?

Randy and I were able to sneak away for a few minutes during the reception to sit down and eat dinner in private. It was so nice to slow down for a few minutes and catch up with one another. Otherwise I may have missed out on the Frito pie! 

The after-party at the Texas Chili Parlor (with everyone still in their black-tie attire) is a close second.

What was your favorite image from your wedding day?

So hard to choose! I really love the photo of Randy and I walking and looking at one another in the garden of Good Shepherd before the ceremony – I used it for our first Christmas card!

Did any of your other vendors go above and beyond for you?

My planner, Camille Ross of Elsie Events, was WONDERFUL! She was so communicative and easy to deal with. Tyler from Westbank Flower Market was also great – he really understood the “look” we were going for. Everyone loved our band, Memphis Soul, and raved about our carrot-cake from Quack’s Bakery!

Do you have any tips to share with other couples?

The reception moves so quickly! Take some time during it to pause and soak it all in!

A special thanks to the vendor team:

Wedding Planner: Elsie Event Co.

Ceremony: Good Shepherd Episcopal Church

Reception: The Grove Downtown

Florist: Westbank

Rentals: Whim

Ceremony Music: Gospel Stars

Reception Music:  Memphis Soul

Cake: Lady Quackenbush

Cookies: Tiny Boxwoods

Hair& Makeup: Denise Vasquez & Propaganda

Transportation: Austin Charter