Some weddings last a day. Others are designed as an experience—where friends and family gather, not just to witness, but to immerse themselves in a full weekend of celebration. For Emily Moss and Kevin Brooke, their wedding at Omni Barton Creek in Austin, Texas, was exactly that—a destination wedding weekend that set the tone for a lifetime of adventure.
From a pickleball tournament on the lake to a welcome party at Driftwood Downtown, this wasn’t just a wedding. It was a gathering of their favorite people, the way they wanted it—laid-back, high-energy, and completely unforgettable.
A Destination Wedding That Felt Like Home
Emily and Kevin’s story started nearly a decade ago in Barcelona, Spain, where they met while studying abroad. She was a California-born athlete with an effortless sense of style; he was a Midwestern guy from Duke with a sharp sense of humor. They clicked immediately, spending those first months traveling across Europe, setting the foundation for something real.
Fast forward to their life together in Austin, and it was clear: their wedding had to be more than a ceremony. It had to be a weekend where people could arrive, settle in, and celebrate in a way that felt easy and immersive.
This is why destination weddings—whether in Texas, the East Coast, or the Southeast—are redefining the way couples celebrate. From Charleston’s waterfront estates to the Hamptons’ iconic summer retreats, multi-day wedding weekends are creating the space for couples to truly connect with their guests.
A Weekend Designed Around Connection
Instead of a formal, one-day event, Emily and Kevin planned a full weekend of gatherings that made their wedding feel like an extended celebration with their closest friends and family.
- Thursday: A pickleball tournament at Ski Shores, blending casual competition with lakeside drinks and plenty of laughter. Pickleball has quickly become a favorite pre-wedding event for couples who want something interactive and fun—especially at destination weddings where guests are arriving from different cities.
- Friday: A rehearsal dinner at Mattie’s, a historic Austin estate with century-old oak trees and Southern hospitality, followed by a welcome party at Driftwood Downtown, an intimate space in the heart of the city, where cocktails flowed late into the night.
- Saturday: The wedding itself—set against the Texas Hill Country at Omni Barton Creek, chosen for its clean architecture, sweeping views, and seamless indoor-outdoor design.
An Unscripted Wedding That Was Entirely Their Own
On the wedding day, Emily and Kevin set the tone from the start. This wasn’t about rigid schedules or rehearsed moments—it was about letting the day unfold naturally.
Her floral vision, brought to life by David Kurio Designs, was modern yet organic: white roses, orchids, hydrangeas, and peonies in sculptural arrangements, with tall delphiniums adding a sense of movement. The reception tables were designed for connection—low, candlelit centerpieces, warm neutral palettes, and subtle black accents to ground the space.
And the energy? Unmatched.
Emily and Kevin knew music would be the heartbeat of the night, so they flew in The Main Attraction Band from Atlanta—a move that paid off as guests packed the dance floor from the first song. Late into the night, DJ Shane Horton kept the celebration going well past the expected last song.
Why Full Wedding Weekends Are the Future of Destination Weddings
For couples like Emily and Kevin, a wedding isn’t just about one day—it’s about the entire experience. This is why destination weddings across Texas, the East Coast, and the Southeast are evolving into multi-day celebrations. Whether in Austin, Charleston, Palm Beach, or the Hamptons, more couples are choosing to extend the celebration, giving their guests time to truly connect.
And for Emily and Kevin? That’s exactly what made their wedding so unforgettable.
A Special Thanks to the Vendor Team
- Venue: Omni Barton Creek
- Planner: Becky Navarro, Pearl Events
- Florals: David Kurio Designs
- Hair: Ariel Beauty Co.
- Makeup: Grace Balsamo
- Band: The Main Attraction
- DJ: Shane Horton
- Ceremony Music: Terra Vista Strings
- Stationery: Bryker Design Co.
- Rentals: Premiere Events, Townsley, Perch Decor
- Lighting: Austin Event Lighting
- Videographer: 718 Creative
- Rehearsal Dinner: Mattie’s Austin
- Pickleball Tournament: Ski Shores Cafe
- Welcome Party: Driftwood Downtown