Gabby and Kyle’s wedding day was absolutely a dream day! We wanted to share some of their story and details-
How did your spouse propose?
Kyle proposed to me at Enchanted Rock Park in Fredericksburg, TX while celebrating our two year dating anniversary. Kyle and I love the outdoors and regularly try to find cool hiking spots to check out. Kyle also understood that it was important for me that when the day for engagement came, I wanted an intimate private moment for the two of us. So, he found a more secluded area of the park, set up a little tripod to “take pictures” while actually secretly videotaping the whole thing and got down on one knee! My very shocked reaction caught on video is quite priceless. We then proceeded to hike to the top of Enchanted Rock, found a spot to enjoy the view, and drank some champagne Kyle had packed in his hiking backpack. We spent the remainder of the weekend enjoying the wineries of Fredericksburg and living in engagement bliss for a few days before sharing our news with all of our friends and loved ones.
What was your first date?
Our first date took place at Rusty Taco shop. Kyle and I debated where the best place for queso was in DFW and while we both agree Torchys is the ultimate spot for queso, I argued that only Rustys is specific to DFW so that is where we picked. We covered everything from family to politics to careers over some queso and margaritas and this was the inspiration for the food we served at our wedding, fajitas.
What factors led you to choose Avalon Legacy Ranch as your venue?
Kyle and I both agreed from the beginning that we wanted an outdoor wedding (Texas weather willing of corse). Avalon Legacy Ranch’s gardens, outdoor chapel, patio reception area, and the overall vintage/rustic feel has such a natural beauty that made it pretty easy for us to decide this was where we wanted to get married. We knew that the beauty would speak for itself and did not require a significant amount of decor. It was also important that we found a venue with staff who genuinely cared about us and making our day unique and special. From the moment we walked in the door, we felt that care from everyone who works for Avalon.
What were your favorite memories from your wedding?
Getting to start the day with our bridal parties was a great way to kick off our wedding day., This was such a special time to honor the most influential people in our life both as individuals and as a couple.
We loved dancing the night away and socializing with all of our many friends but our favorite was the time just before we did our grand exit where we did a private dance. It was an intimate moment that allowed us to come back together after partying with all of our friends and really tied a bow on the day. This was probably the most emotional part of the day, maybe a little fatigue and stimulation of being front and center, but mostly the realization that we were officially married. Admittedly, Kyle and I both cried pretty much the entire dance, just overwhelmed by the emotion and love of the day.
What special details did you include on wedding day with decor or your ceremony?
For the most part, our venue really spoke for itself in our overall vision for our wedding day. Only a couple things come to my mind that were maybe particularly special or important for us. For example, our ceremony, while contained all the necessary and typical components, also included a particular verse that was near to my heart. We also wanted a memorial table to honor certain very special people who would not be able to be with us and Avalon had a perfect spot for this.
What advice would you give to couples planning their wedding?
It is really easy to get caught up in other people’s opinions and vision for what a wedding should look like. On top of that, so much of the wedding plan is designed around ensuring guests are pleased. All of this can easily distract from the ultimate purpose of the wedding, uniting you and our future spouse and sharing your joy and love with your closest family and friends. My biggest advice is to stay mindful of this, set boundaries with your more outspoken, opinionated advisors, and prioritize the things you and your future spouse want, regardless of what others say. This day is about YOU! The other thing that I really enjoyed about the wedding planning was planning a date each month on the day of our wedding. We got married on May 17th so from the moment we got engaged to our big day, we planned a date on the 17th of every month. I think this really helped us to focus on staying connected and reminding us of the true importance of our wedding day.
Any other details, pointers and special moments you would like to share?
There is SO much to do, think of, and track in the process of planning for a wedding. Hiring Alee Ladd as our part-time wedding coordinator was without a doubt the best money we ever spent. She and her team made our day run smoothly and ensured we were cared for. I would HIGHLY recommend hiring a planner who can help you with the finer details so that you can continue to focus your energy on the significance of the day.
Thank you to Kendra Martin Photography for the gorgeous photos!