“It was him and only him for the rest of my life,” laughed Carrie. 

 

Travis took Carrie by surprise by proposing to her on what she thought was a regular date. He took her to Fonda San Miguel, one of their favorite Austin restaurants, and also the restaurant where George W. Bush proposed to Laura. Carrie had always told Travis that Fonda San Miguel is where she fell in love with him, so naturally it was the perfect place for the couple to become engaged. On bended knee, Travis proposed, and of course Carrie said yes. The entire restaurant broke out in applause. After dinner, Travis took Carrie out for dessert at the Four Seasons, and was met by family and friends for a surprise champagne and dessert engagement celebration.

 

Travis and Carrie wanted a true Austin wedding, so they chose to get married in the beautiful rolling hills of West Austin. Carrie had a lot of help putting the wedding together, which was no small feat because of all the specific details that she felt that she just “had to have.” 

 

“My matron of honor, maid of honor, future in-laws, and my amazing fiancé and parents were absolutely integral in pulling this wedding off,” said Carrie. With the help of her family and close friends, Carrie was able to focus on every little detail that she dreamed of for her wedding. Besides all the special, individual touches, such as gift bags, survival kits for the bridesmaids, custom-printed wine bottle favors and many other special niceties, Carrie and Travis wanted to honor those who had passed away with special “memory candles.” The junior ushers lit these candles at the beginning of the ceremony, with each candle honoring someone close to them who had passed away and could not attend their wedding. 

 

The formal ceremony was held at Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church. There were eight bridesmaids plus one junior bridesmaid, and eight groomsmen. 

 

One of Carrie’s favorite memories of her wedding is walking down the aisle at the church. “I looked down the length of the church and saw Travis standing at the front of the church smiling the biggest smile I’d ever seen. 

When I finally reached the altar and took his hands, he was choking back the tears of happiness. I have never felt anything like it,” said Carrie. 

 

Sticking with the “true Austin” theme, the reception took place at Austin Country Club. Guests enjoyed a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres, full bar and a chocolate fountain while a live pianist performed and a slideshow of the couple played. 

 

After cocktail hour, the guests were invited into the ballroom for dinner. The wedding party was announced “basketball line-up style” by the bride’s cousin in his very best announcer voice. Carrie and Travis had thought up funny anecdotes and nicknames for each member, and as they were announced, the high fives and chest bumping on the way to the dance floor had the guests clapping and laughing. 

 

The dance floor featured a projection of the couple’s monogram. The wedding party kicked off the dancing in dark sunglasses with an entertaining Superman dance. 

 

“The crowd was roaring,” said Carrie. Travis and Carrie danced their first dance to “My Best Friend.” The bride and her father danced to “You Raise Me Up” and the groom invited his mother to the dance floor for the traditional mother/son dance as well. 

 

For the garter toss, Travis dressed as Indiana Jones. The Indiana Jones theme played as he came out from backstage and “went for the garter.” The first time he surfaced from beneath Carrie’s gown, he had a snake. The second time, he surfaced with the garter and threw it to all the single men at the wedding. At the end of a wonderful evening, Travis and Carrie danced their last dance to “The Way You Look Tonight.” 

 

“Even when we are old and gray, I will never forget the way he looked that night!” said Carrie. “It took my breath away.”

 

The newly married couple left the doors of the ballroom to walk downstairs at the end of the reception and was greeted by over 100 sparklers cheering them on to their new lives. 

 

“It was an amazing sight!” said Carrie. 

 

The guests were treated to mini-sliders for a late-night snack as the bride and groom took their leave. Carrie and Travis left the wedding content that they really had had a true Austin wedding. 

Dunvegan Keep

 

Lake Austin River Boats

 

Hula Hut

 

Shannon Wisner Photography

 

Wendow Fine Living

 

Party Cat

 

Renaissance Hotel

 

Westlake Hills Presbyterian Church

 

Larry Coulter/Peter Haas

 

Paul Keith

 

Gwen Parsons

 

Verbena Floral Design

 

Megan Snell

 

Belle Saison Bridal

 

Belle Saison Bridal

 

Belle Saison Bridal

 

Melba’s Boutique

 

Julian Gold

 

Bridal Arena

 

Bella Salon

 

Bella Salon

 

Makeup: 

Showstopper Makeup

 

Tuxedo Junction

 

Austin Country Club

 

Cakes by Kathy

 

Lighting: 

Illios Lighting Design

 

Band: 

Top Choice

 

Dan McMurrough

 

Marquee Rents

 

The Chocolate Cup

 

Amazing Ice Designs

Diamond Hill Vineyards