Whitney & Hayley's Wedding - Tara Lauren Real Love Tara Lauren

For Whitney and Hayley, a wedding that represented them was most important … so they had food trucks!

Of her Russo gown, Whitney said “from the moment I saw it online, I knew it was the one. It was THE ONLY dress that I LOVED. “

Names: Whitney and Haley

Wedding Date: November 14, 2020

Guest Numbers: 120

Wedding Location: The Union on Eighth in Georgetown, Texas

Photographer: Nicole Thomson (Map and Compass Photography)

Tell Us Your Love Story

How did you meet?

I (Whitney) moved to Austin, Texas on January 2nd of 2015, KIND OF knowing one single person (Taylor). Haley ended up moving to Austin in May/June of 2015 and just so happens that her best friend was that one person that I kind of knew. By the time Haley got to Austin, I had become great friends with Taylor and inevitably, Haley and I ended up being around each other because Taylor was the only person either of us knew. We were around each other a couple of times and one night we just connected and the rest is history. That was over 5 years ago, and I got to marry her a few weeks ago.

How did she put a ring on it?

Letting you in on a little secret… I KNOW EVERYTHING lol. Seriously, I just know things that I shouldn’t- Haley calls it my 6th sense. Anyway, Haley proposed on March 30, 2019. This was a couple of weeks after my birthday (March 19th). She played it off like we were doing something for my birthday, this is not unusual because she is the QUEEN of birthday surprises. We ended up showing up to an airbnb that was to “say hey to some friends in town”. We walked into the backyard and all of our nearest and dearest friends and family were there for a “surprise birthday party”. Shortly after we gave hugs to everyone, she pulled me to the side where there was a projector playing a slideshow, I began to realize that it was all pictures of her and I, and started noticing the songs that were playing. I thought to myself “oh shit this is happening”. Sure enough after the most amazing slideshow of all of our memories ended, she turned to me, grabbed my hands, and started with all of the sweetest nothings I’ve ever heard (other than her vows- WOW!), she got down on one knee and asked me to be her wife, and I said “oh my gosh, I think I’m going to throw up” (LOL), then burst into tears and said yes while squeezing her neck.

Where did you draw inspiration from?

Some Pinterest but a lot of my own imagination. I had this vision and just did the best I could to pull it together.

What made the wedding personal to you?

I think we just really tried to make it the most “us” that we could. We had some moodiness and it was just very fun and laid back. We had food trucks rather than a plated/seated dinner because it just felt more natural for us. We had a musician there that we came across way before we were engaged when we were out to dinner one night. I told Haley that if we ever got married, I wanted him to sing at our wedding- So, that night, I went up to him and got his information. A few years later, after we got engaged, I reached out and he remembered us and said that he would absolutely be there. We wanted our wedding to be a place where our closest friends and family could come as they are, feeling fully comfortable, we wanted it to just be filled with love, laughter, joy, and a sense of ease and peace. It was all of that and so much more. It truly was the most perfect day ever.

What were you most nervous or excited about?

I was most nervous about reading my vows. Had zero faith that I would make it through without being a blubbering mess. BUT I DID IT lol. Most excited about EVERYTHING!

Now, the most important part – the Dress!

Tell us about your dress?

I knew I didn’t want ordinary- I am not an ordinary with my style. I was looking at all of the bridal shops in Austin and looking at the designers websites after. I came across Tara Lauren and loved it all, then I found the Russo gown and I think from the moment I saw it online, I knew it was the one. It was THE ONLY dress that I LOVED. So had to pay to have it shipped in to try on- It was the very first gown I tried on and I adored it. But I wasn’t certain because I just felt like I needed to make sure, and see what else was out there. 3 shops and 7 hours later, we went back to Serendipity right before they closed so I could try the “Stevie Nicks dress” on again. Once I put it on after all of the others, I KNEW. My face lit up and I said “hell yes!”

What stockist did you get it from?

Serendipity Bridal in Austin, Texas

What was your most memorable moment from your day?

Our first dance- It was so sweet and special. We made it a point to look around us at everyone and everything and just soak it all in. We talked about how amazing it all was, how lucky we are, how much we loved each other, and how excited we were for our future.