It was late October and we were chatting on the phone when Chesni said, “we’re moving the wedding up to January.” Her and Travis had been engaged a few months and were originally planning for an October 2018 wedding, but when they had a heart to heart, they realized neither one of them wanted to be engaged that long. They decided what they really wanted was three things 1) to be married as soon as possible 2) to have a destination wedding that their parents could attend 3) to not go into debt so they could start their marriage financially stable. It’s just three more reasons I love the crap out of these two!

The thing that would surprise most people is that they were able to make all three of those things happen! They had discovered McKinney Falls State Park in Austin, Texas a few weeks before and fell in love. It was an easy decision to make that the location for their nuptials. It was far enough away from Houston to feel like a destination, but easy enough for much of their Houston based family to get to and those people attending from out of state would have traveled to Texas regardless. And since Austin is one of their favorite vacation destinations, they would stay in town for their honeymoon. Because they had decided on a January date, it was easy for them to reserve the recreation hall.

For the weeks leading up to the wedding, Chesni and Travis got to work on decorations. Since they were doing what they could to save money, they made most of the decorations that were used. They had been drawn to a 1920’s theme because, well, it’s fun, and Chesni thought the decorations would be easier to make, but the state park was a rustic venue, so they pivoted and added in some prohibition wedding flair! Quintessential roaring twenties details like gold bottles, strands of pearls and large white feathers, were mixed with greenery, cotton and mini bottles of Jack Daniels and Jim Beam to pay homage to adventurous backwoods bootleggers.

Family helped bring it all together with the groom’s family grilling dinner and one of the bride’s family members making their naked cake. Some family members splurged for table linens and chair covers. When someone wanted to help, the couple let them, so long as it was being offered as a gift and would add to the joy of their day.

The ceremony was planned to take place outside at the Upper Falls at the park…out in nature with the sound of the falls in the background. Unfortunately on the day of the wedding, the temperature in Austin was only 27 degrees! While the bride and groom were still happy to have their ceremony outside, they ended up holding it inside the recreation hall for the comfort of their guests. After the ceremony we went over to the falls to capture some romantic portraits and according to Chesni, “The most special moment was when Dawn took us out to the Upper Falls (where we originally wanted our ceremony to be held) immediately after our ceremony for photos. It was the moment I had wanted all day…to just be us together without an audience. It was when all the perfect feelings hit me, the ones I had dreamt about feeling as a young girl. I felt unstoppable out there with my now HUSBAND! It didn’t matter how cold it was, we had so much fun together out there!”

That statement gets me right in the heart! Especially since they felt that way despite each of us blowing our nose at least a handful of times. LOL. The below freezing temperature combined with a 25 mph wind from the north was only enough to stop us long enough for a tissue!
At the reception guests dined on bbq chicken, potatoes, fruit salad and more prohibition, backwoods fair. Cheese boards, chocolate dipped and glittered strawberries, candies and cupcakes made great snacks as guests danced, conversed and took photos with the newlyweds. Right before the cake cutting, Chesni slipped into the ladies room for a wardrobe change out of her wedding gown and into a flapper era themed party dress complete with gold sequins! The rest of the night was spent dancing to a mix of old school jazz and some Justin Timberlake…of course!

EVENT VENDORS

Wedding Venue / McKinney Falls State Park
Wedding Dress / Jill’s Fashions & Bridals
Gold Party Dress / Amazon.com
Jewelry / Sam Moon & Antique Stores
1920’s Headpiece / Sam Moon
White Fur Shrug / Amazon.com
Groom’s Suit / Thrift Stores and Goodwill
Flowers for bouquet/bout / Hobby Lobby
Feathers, greenery and other pieces that went in the centerpieces / Hobby Lobby and Michael’s
Chair covers and sashes / Ordered online
Tablecloths/ Ordered Online
Napkins / Ordered Online
Dishes / Hobby Lobby
Wedding Cake / Step Grandparent