Celebrating The Next Chapter at The South Congress Hotel

February 13, 2021
Left: staged wedding stationary; Right: staged name cards with grooms' rings
Left: blue and black vow books in wooden bowl; Right: groom's shoes, mask, tie, and vow book
Grooms' suit jackets hanging on wooden armoire
Grooms' helping each other get ready
Groom looking out window
Groom getting ready while smiling into mirror
Grooms getting ready and laughing together
Left: Grooms embracing and looking at each other smiling; Right: grooms embracing and kissing
Grooms embracing and leaning in to kiss
Left: Grooms holding hands and laughing; Right: close up of grooms holding hands
Left: Grooms sitting on bench; Right: Grooms holding hands and walking
Grooms sitting on stairs and looking at each other
Grooms sitting on bench while groom on right kisses the forehead of the groom on left
Left: wooden triangular ceremony décor with feathered detailing; Right: close up of feathered detailing on  ceremony décor
Groom being walked down the aisle by his mother and father
Groom being walked down the aisle by his parents
Grooms and their families facing each other at the end of the aisles
Groom embracing his mother
Guests viewing the ceremony
Groom laughing at spouse while holding hands
Mother wiping a tear
Guests smiling during the ceremony
Parents of the groom smiling during ceremony
Parents of the groom laughing during the ceremony
Grooms holding hands and smiling at parents before saying their vows
Guests crying during ceremony
Grooms' first kiss after saying vows
Grooms' holding hands and walking away from the stage
Grooms holding hands and laughing at each other while walking
Grooms holding hands while walking on sidewalk and laughing
Left: Reception table decorations of cactus and greenery; Right: South Congress Hotel sign
Close up of grooms sitting on couch and holding hands
Grooms sitting on couch while groom on right kisses the forehead of groom on left
Left: Reception tableware and decorations; Right: Reception table decorations
Reception decorations of wooden triangular piece with feathered detailing and important persons table
Grooms standing and laughing during reception
Guest laughing during reception
Grooms looking at framed gift and wiping a tear
Grooms slow dancing during reception
Grooms slow dancing during reception
Groom dancing with mother during reception
Volkswagen kick van photo booth
Groom embracing his mother while dancing
Groom embracing to guests and smiling
Grooms dancing during reception
Guests dancing at reception
Guests taking selfie during reception
Grooms walking out while guests hold sparklers around them and cheer
Grooms kissing in Volkswagen kick van photo booth

Kirk & Warren’s South Congress Hotel Wedding: A Modern, Intimate Celebration

Some weddings redefine tradition in the best way possible. Kirk Garza and Warren McAdams’ wedding at South Congress Hotel in Austin, Texas, was a seamless blend of modern style, deep personal meaning, and intentional celebration. As an LGBTQIA+ couple, their approach to their wedding day was about authenticity—crafting a space where they and their guests could fully be themselves.

A Love Story Built on Adventure

Kirk and Warren met in Austin through online dating, quickly discovering a shared passion for travel and new experiences. After nine years together, Kirk proposed during a breathtaking hike on Path of the Gods along Italy’s Amalfi Coast. Rather than traditional rings, he gifted Warren a custom compass engraved with the coordinates of where they first met—a nod to their shared love of exploration.

Choosing the Perfect Venue

When it came to selecting a venue, South Congress Hotel was an easy choice. Kirk was already familiar with the space from previous work events, and they loved the way the hotel’s courtyard and event space could seamlessly open to create an airy, welcoming environment—a crucial element given the challenges of hosting a wedding during a pandemic.

Wedding Attire: Elevated, Personal, and Thoughtful

  • Kirk: Midnight blue tux with black accessories (bowtie, cufflinks, shoes, and vows booklet)
  • Warren: Light blue suit, peach-colored tie, brown shoes, and Siberian husky socks for a personal touch
  • Suits: Fitted and purchased from Indochino
  • Shoes: Recommended by a groomsman—Magnanni for Kirk’s tuxedo shoes and Cole Haan for Warren’s brown dress shoes
  • Boutonnieres: Succulents with feathers, designed by Articulture Designs
  • Face Masks: Custom-made to match their wedding colors

A Ceremony with Meaning

Kirk and Warren walked down the aisle together, escorted by their families, meeting in the middle for a moment of shared love before ascending the stairs hand-in-hand to their officiant. A highlight of the ceremony was a call to action, where guests verbally affirmed their support for their marriage.

Another unforgettable moment was their parent recognition, where their officiant shared heartfelt sentiments collected from conversations with both grooms. This meaningful touch left many in tears and added an emotional depth to their vows.

Breaking Tradition with Intentional Details

  • No first dance—instead, they had a last dance to I Am Yours by Andy Grammer, creating a full-circle moment from their ceremony playlist.
  • No cake cutting—they opted for the Stephen F Frostin ice cream truck, keeping the reception lighthearted and true to their personalities.
  • Non-traditional processional—both grooms were escorted by family and met in the middle for a moment of connection before walking up together.
  • Personal goodbyes—after the sparkler sendoff, Kirk and Warren returned inside to personally thank each guest.

A Thoughtful Photography Choice

Choosing Jenny DeMarco as their photographer was an easy decision after thorough research. One recommendation sealed the deal:

“She’s legit. She is very good and she is at the very top of our market. She’s like the Bentley of Austin wedding photographers.”

Their favorite photo? A stunning shot of them sitting on the stairway in the middle of South Congress Hotel, looking at each other—one they can’t wait to frame.

An Unforgettable Reception

The couple prioritized guest experience, curating a night of incredible food and music. Their cocktail hour featured Old Fashioneds and Margaritas, with a playlist personally selected by Kirk. Dinner was a standout, featuring steak and salmon entrees from South Congress Hotel’s Café No Sé, followed by late-night burgers and chicken sliders.

Dart Collective kept the energy high with a playlist that balanced personal favorites with crowd-pleasers, ensuring the dance floor stayed full all night.

Vendor Team

A wedding like Kirk and Warren’s is the result of a thoughtful collaboration between creative professionals who understand how to bring a vision to life. Their vendor team included:

Reflections & Advice for Other Couples

Looking back, Kirk and Warren cherish the intimacy of their smaller guest list:

“At 43 guests, we each knew everyone in attendance, so we were able to take the time to be in the moment with our loved ones. And, more than that, we were able to conclude the event with a sound mind knowing we did not unnecessarily risk exposing any of our loved ones to COVID-19.”

Their advice to other couples? Embrace the changes, focus on the meaningful moments, and remember that the best weddings are the ones that feel like you.