Weekend Wedding Recap

Last weekend we hit the road again for the Texas Hill Country!  We had another wedding to attend.  This time my cousin Meghan was getting married!

That's me and my cousin Meghan on the left at my grandfather/her great grandfather's birthday.  Seems like yesterday.

Meghan and Andy married at Holy Family Catholic Church in Copperas Cove, Texas.

 Meghan works with the youth ministry there.

It was such a wonderful day!

The service was beautiful, the bride was gorgeous, and the groom couldn't stop smiling!  They must be doing something right.

Meghan and Andy's sisters served as bridesmaids.  So pretty!

Mr. and Mrs. Andy McCatherine!!

The reception was at the Hostess House in Lampasas.

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How cute is that?

Their sign in book had their story and pictures in it with space for everyone to leave them a message.  I loved it!  Plus they had lots of bright colored pens.  I love bright colored pens!!

I wish we would have been able to stay to see all the fabulous events of the reception.  Driving back to Houston the same evening of a reception really kind of stinks, but I am so happy we got to celebrate with the happy couple!!

A little bit of celebration is better than none at all.

Cousins!

Isn't she gorgeous!?

Andy and Meghan we are so happy for you!  We love you and wish you all the best as you start your amazing journey together!!!

Happy tear!

David and Aerin's Wedding

David and Aerin got married last Saturday at Heritage House in Dripping Springs, Texas.  This had to have been one of the cutest weddings I have been to in a long time.  Their venue was so amazing, it was like rolling 5 venues into one.  There is no other way to describe how cute it was without pictures, so I will get to those.  Since there was so much cuteness going on, I will just start at the beginning and walk you through it.

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They married in this charming chapel.  I loved the wood beams against the white ceiling and the cross with the bird.

I wish I had some better pictures of the ceremony, but we were in the last row.  We were running a little late and got some of the last seats in the chapel.  Ask my friend Gaby about that.  She will be happy to tell you what happened.

Last Saturday was a beautiful day.  They could not have had better weather if they were able to make the weather themselves.  After the ceremony guests were invited over to this open air space for cocktails and appetizers.

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Isn't that so pretty?  On the way there I saw this sign.

A wedding hash tag!  I loved it.  Obviously, I began using it immediately.

The Pfaffenbergers get the award for most creative guest book ever.  They had a canvas that was mod-podged with pages from the bible.  Guests were asked to use their fingerprints to create leaves on the two trees and sign their names to their leaves.

I love that they turned the guest book in to art for their home.  I can't say that I have ever gotten out my guest book from my wedding to look at it.  This was such a great idea and you will see in a minute that it completely ties in to their reception.

Outside behind the cocktail area were various table groupings for guests to gather.  This one was a little bit of heaven.  How cute is this? 

The husband was super impressed with the home brewed beer option at the bar.  The Pfaffenbergers had Pfaffenbeer!!  It just keeps getting cuter.

During the cocktail hour everyone was invited to explore the venue.  I caught site of a gazebo with bluebonnets!  Since the newlyweds were not taking pictures there (yet), I drug the husband over.

Gorgeous.

Selfie.  That was of course posted on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook with the appropriate hash tag.

The picture above was looking back from the gazebo toward the cocktail hour.  On our way back over, we ran into this beautiful couple.

Happy Newlyweds

In our defense we were trying not to interrupt their photo session, but the groom came to say hi to us; so I figured it was okay to snap a picture (it was obviously hash tagged and posted to appropriate social media locations).

Back with everyone at the cocktail hour we took more pictures.

Kasey and me

All the guests were invited to take their seats inside the reception venue.  Another cute location, right?

I love it.  Simple, charming, and elegant!

Do you see anything that makes you think of the guest book?

How about now?  Isn't that precious?

On either side of the cakes there were pictures of the bride and groom throughout their lives.

They were hung with clothespins.  Cute.

Mr. and Mrs. Pfaffenberger were introduced and the party got underway!

The food was delicious, there was dancing...

And this...you didn't think it could get better did you?

I saw this and thought it was a great place for pictures.

A few other people agreed with me.

The husband and me, Kasey and Neil, Gaby and Tonio, Rachel and Dave

You are all welcome for the use of my fantastic mediocre photography skills.

There was more dancing.

Then it was time to send the newlyweds off on their new adventure together.

I was so happy I got this picture.  It's pretty good.  :)

All the best to you David and Aerin!!

Weekly Finds - Texas Road Trip Edition

I don't know how many of you are from Texas, or have been to Texas, or have had the pleasure of road tripping in Texas; but I am going to share two of the greatest secrets about road tripping in Texas.  If you already know these secrets, just nod along.

Number one...Buc-ee's.

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Part gas station, part deli, part grocery store, part boutique shopping experience, Buc-ee's is the place to stop.  Not only can you fill you car, your belly, and your shopping basket with great Texas made items; you will find the cleanest road trip bathrooms you have ever experienced.  I'm serious, they have won awards.

We stopped at Buc-ee's on the way to Austin and on the way back, two different locations, same great experience.  I picked up this awesome hand made corrugated metal Texas for my patio.

This is the second item I have picked up made by Lisa Coats of New Braunfels, TX.  Thank you Lisa.  This will look great on my deck.

We also picked up a souvenir for Sammy.

This dog toy is made by PrideBites Dog Toys which is located in Austin.  The only thing better than finding a toy to bring your dog while road tripping without her is knowing that the company that made it donates a portion of their profit to organizations that rescue animals.  Perfect.

Since this was my first encounter with a PrideBites toy and being the animal lover I am, of course I did some research.  The second coolest thing I discovered about this brand and their toys (first being that they assist rescue dogs) is that you can get a custom toy with your dog on it.

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Isn't that super cute?  I am pretty sure there will be a Sammy toy happening in the not too distant future.

Number two...bluebonnets.

Now, I realize my number two is kind of a limited secret since it is only valid during the spring.  However, it is currently spring and I love flowers so it is currently valid.  We found tons of gorgeous bluebonnets on our trip.

If you have not road tripped in Texas in the spring, then you probably have not experienced the amazingness that is a field of bluebonnets.  I am happy to share it with you.

When you gather thousands of these flowers together in a field you get a field that looks like this.  Some parts are completely void of any green showing through and it is just amazing.

Throw in an aging barb wire and wooden fence and you have a great photo op.  Who am I kidding?  The field full of bluebonnets is reason enough on its own to stop for pictures.  The fence does add something though.

I could stare at it all day.  If you haven't had the pleasure, come visit and we will road trip together.  You will like it.

Then I will come visit you and you can show me all the awesome things about road tripping in your state.  Sound good?  Excellent.