BIG Decision for the BIG Day.

Usually every little girls dreams of her wedding day, you know, what she would wear, flowers, shoes, makeup, shoes...  This is all extremely foreign to me.  I have never really been that girl.  When D proposed, I had NO IDEA where we would get married.

At first I thought Indiana.  D's ENTIRE family lives in Indiana, so it would be very convenient for them.  My family is scattered throughout the Midwest, so no matter what, someone would have to travel.  I searched on the internet, and nothing really gave me that "feeling" everyone talks about.

Soooo, D and I went on a weekend fishing trip to Port Aransas.  Sunday morning, we went to a little cafe, had some breakfast, and as we were finishing up our coffees...I had a thought...why not Texas?  Texas is essentially where we really started our lives together.  I mentioned this to D, and he liked the it, but being the great guy he is, he said "whatever you want."

The fish we caught while on our little expedition.  Sand trout and sheephead...yummmm!

In April, I traveled to Austin solo (D was living in Edmonton, Alberta) to scope out some places, and D and I returned in May together to look at the top contenders.  However, I felt bad for making everyone travel (can you say people pleaser?!?) and spend a lot of money to get there (anyone who really knows me, knows about my money issues), so I was back at square 1.  Here are a few places I looked at.

Spicewood Vineyards in Spicewood, TX

Duchmann Family Winery in Driftwood, TX

Thurman's Mansion @ Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX

Mercury Hall in Austin, TX

View of Lake Travis from my hotel room @ Lakeway Resort and Spa during my solo stay.

I threw around the idea of Omaha and Colorado, and settled back on Indiana.  While D and I were there in June for one of his friend's weddings, I dragged him along to every known place to hold a reception in Indianapolis...poor guy.  And again, none really made me swoon like a few did in Austin.


At the end of the day I was frustrated and tired.  I am pretty sure D was rethinking his decision to ask me to marry him...but thank goodness I was in that state of mind because I finally made up my mind.

I actually made a decision for me.  I picked what I wanted, what my vision was (as of February), and I am so thrilled.  We chose Pecan Grove at Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood, TX.

The ceremony outside by Onion Creek...completely shaded.
However, we will not be using that space...especially in July...our guests would DIE!

Used to be an open air pavillion, but now it is closed (and air-conditioned!).

You feel like you are outside!

Bridal quarters and bathrooms in a separate building.

 I love it.  It is so us.  Very casual and outdoorsy.  Best part...Salt Lick BBQ caters...Man vs Food anyone??  They're open pit is famous.

How delicious does that look?!? 

I am pretty sure some family and friends were thinking that this wedding was going to be a total disaster if I couldn't make decisions.  I should have followed everyone's (parent's, future in-law's, friend's, even my fiance's) advice from the beginning...

"Do whatever you want to do.  It is your day."

Future brides...listen to that advice!  No matter what, you're not going to please everyone, so you might as well please yourself!

- E

Also, check out our wedding website!