Colorful Summer Wedding at The Grand Lady

Elisa and Sean live in San Francisco but met in Austin in their early 20s. After Sean popped the question, they decided to have their wedding at The Grand Lady in Austin to bring together their people from both sides of the country! Elisa is originally from New Jersey, and the couple also has many friends on the West Coast. So, Austin was the perfect middle space, in addition to paying homage to how their relationship began! 

They booked all-day coverage with me a year before their wedding, after deciding that photography was a top priority for their special day. Elisa wanted their wedding imagery to feel candid, organic, and playful, just like their colorful wedding design with pops of vibrant summer shades like tangerine and yellow. She also wanted film photography, and it soon became clear we were a match made in vendor heaven. 

Photographing Weddings at The Grand Lady 

Shooting at The Grand Lady was an incredible experience, and I can’t wait to return! The old and new come together at this venue, with a beautifully restored, 19th-century mansion and an airy modern building for receptions. I love how the architectural elements complement the lawns and gardens to create that indoor-outdoor feel.

As a photographer, I also appreciate The Grand Lady’s versatility! Elisa and Sean’s wedding day was very hot, and Elisa wasn’t feeling well while taking photos outside in the heat. So, we opted to shoot their first look and most of their portraits inside the gorgeous mansion. The historic space is one of my favorite aspects of The Grand Lady because it’s a bright and beautiful setting for portraits despite its age. We can simply shoot indoors if the weather is bad! I’ve even had couples choose to shoot all their portraits inside the main house’s living room—it’s just that great.

A Private Vow Exchange

Elisa and Sean are private people, so they wanted to exchange their handwritten vows without an audience. After their first look, they went downstairs just the two of them, sat on the couch, and read their vows to each other. I love this because it’s a great example of celebrating your wedding your way! Don’t be afraid to tell your vendors what you want, especially your photographer and videographer. If you desire a private moment without any cameras, speak up and we’ll make it happen for you!

Eclectic Wedding Reception at The Grand Lady

I was obsessed with every detail of Elisa and Sean’s wedding reception! The disco balls hanging from the ceiling and the heart-shaped cake from Gemini Cakes brought a retro vibe complemented by Elisa’s beaded, celestial-patterned mini dress. Meanwhile, the seating integrated elements of Elisa’s Chinese heritage with red accents and wooden fans. It felt like a lovely nod to her culture while adding to the eclectic style! Of course, the food by Royal Fig Catering also didn’t disappoint and was the perfect choice for this foodie couple.

Photographing Elisa and Sean’s wedding at The Grand Lady was such an incredible experience. I loved that they allowed me to play with multiple photography mediums, from digital to film and Polaroid. I now offer film photography with all of my wedding collections! If you resonate with this style, let’s connect. It would be my honor to document your wedding day memories!

Vendors:

Photography: Amber Vickery Photography

Venue: The Grand Lady

Planning and Design: Events by Leslie

Hair and Makeup: Lux Beauty & Bridal

Floral Design: Grand Lady Floral

Music: Toast Entertainment

Catering: Royal Fig Catering

Cake: Gemini Cake Design

Videography: Peter Zuniga Productions