Natalie Pipkin's Made to Marry post should really be about her whole family and their friends that we have dressed either because of their recommendations or because her family's world is just that cool that their friends are our clients and vice versa! It's been a blast getting to know Natalie and her mom Laura over this past year.  We've also dressed Laura for Natalie's brother's wedding since dressing her for Natalie's wedding!

Being able to work with a client in order to fulfill their vision for such a special event is one of my favorite parts of my job. Natalie was very clear about what she wanted and that she was not up for a big Cinderella dress. She wanted something simple, clean, and dramatic, and I was totally up for it. Her dress was actually a bodysuit with two different skirts and a removable cape. I love this look because it was Natalie truly being herself and the result was stunning. 

Q:How did you incorporate a family tradition or family heirloom to your special day?

A: If nerves are a tradition then nerves! Besides that, I wore my grandmother's bracelet & my other grandmother's hairpin in my hair. Brandon’s mom's hand-made the ring pillow out of her own wedding dress. 

I gave my parents and his mom each a linen handkerchief with a special monogrammed message on the corner. The handkerchiefs were a set from my grandmother's linen napkins. I loved that they had a special patina to them and a pretty embellished lace on the opposite corner of the message. Also, my last remaining grandmother prayed at the wedding and it was beyond special. She is a true prayer warrior and it was so meaningful. 

Q: Did you have a wedding hashtag if so, what was it?

A: #PipsRaisingTheBarr

Q: How did you and Brandon meet? How did he propose?

A: We met at a two-stepping bar called Rebels in Houston. He came up to me while I was there with a group of girlfriends and he said he thought I was really pretty and if I would like to dance! So sweet! He was a terrible two-stepper but that's beside the point. He won my heart. 

Brandon proposed at Toulouse Cafe, which was a very dramatic public scene and apparently entertaining to everyone else at the restaurant. We had a huge surprise party afterward at my parents' house and it was so memorable! I was highly & uncharacteristically emotional the whole night!

Q: Did anything funny or chaotic happen on your wedding day?

A:  It actually was pretty smooth of a day. Thanks to my wedding planner, Lindsay Meir of Bespoke Events, who was super detailed, we amazingly avoided any chaotic moments.

One funny thing was when Brandon walked his mother down to be seated at the ceremony. After he walked her to the front of the church and she was seated Brandon just stayed up at the front with the pastor. Instead of walking around to enter with his groomsmen. I guess he was ready for me! :) 

Oh, and right before my “first look” with my dad, one of my mom's close friends was there and accidentally got a makeup blotch right on the top of my dress. (David, don’t worry, it easily came out and was no problemo!) However, It was hilarious to hear my dad's version of it as he saw me at that moment with a big old splotch! Lol, I think God knew we all needed a bit of a laugh at that point! 

Q: What song was your first dance to?

A: Adele's "One & Only" - his choice too. Really sweet and so accurate to our story. My dad and I danced to “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston .... and killed it! It was such the highlight of celebration once the stress had ended and it was time to party & enjoy the band! 

Q: Where was your bachelorette party?

A: The beautiful and charming town of San Miguel De Allende - Such an amazing place with all of my best friends. A close family friend has an incredible house down there and generously offered for us to stay there, and wow, what a treat!

 

Q: What unique feature did you include on the special day?

A: I wanted to have a FUN party, not a typical reception, so I talked my wedding planning team into doing a huge teardrop pattern on the dance floor in a rose pink color. It gave off a mid-century fun vibe. Which paired wonderfully with all the huge balloon clusters to accent the stage & exit. 

THE CAPE, the cape was pretty amazing. In lieu of a traditional veil (which terrified me), David and I came up with a cape to represent a veil train but in a much cooler, unique way. Made me feel like a superhero! 

 

Evening Details

Wedding Site | Austin Country Club Reception & Riverbend's Smith Chapel for the Ceremony

Wedding Planner | Lindsay Meir, Bespoke Events

Flowers | Botanical No. 9 (she did balloons too!)

Food and Drink | Austin Country Club

Photographer | Jenna McElroy

Cinematographer | Henry Brothers

Stationary | Boarding School Collective

Entertainment | Elan Artist 'Rythym Collective' - So flipping talented!

Beauty | Makenzi Laine

Wedding Dress/Fashion | The best, Duh! David Peck, 2 Dresses for the night, detachable cape & stunning exit faux fur jacket

Brides Shoes | YSL Shoes

Rings | Tenenbaum Jewelers vintage engagement ring & vintage wedding band (which Brandon and I both picked out together - such a special memory and beautiful patina to enjoy!). 

Accommodations | Grand Duca Hotel, Domain Hotels in Austin 

Travel and Transportation | We left in the getaway car in an old black Jaguar and busses transported the guests (would need to ask Lindsay for specifics)