Nature-Inspired Austin Ranch Wedding: Kelsey + Talon

Austin Ranch Wedding

When it came to designing a day that was unique, yet personal…refined, yet relaxed, Kelsey + Talon pulled it off like a couple of pros. We guess that shouldn’t come as a total surprise, since these two are actually photographers by trade, and have been around the ‘wedding block’ a couple of times! They knew their priorities and took things in stride. And by enlisting the help of a great planner, Jen Rios Weddings, they were really able to focus on taking their creativity to the next level. More on that below:

Our biggest priority when designing the wedding was making sure that it was completely us and that every detail was there because we wanted it to be there or because it meant something to us. A huge part of our relationship has been taking adventures together and being inspired by nature. Our venue was set against a backdrop of a big “Texas mountain” we call it (basically just a giant hill in Texas hill country); our color palette was chosen based on the colors you’d see driving through the Rockies (something we thought of while driving through Northern Colorado on a spur of the moment trip); the florals were inspired by wildflowers growing along mountainsides.

Thanks so much to Love Is a Big Deal for the gorgeous images below + congrats to Kelsey + Talon on a truly beautiful day!

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

first look

Heart eyes for Kelsey’s off-the-shoulder Sarah Seven dress (via Serendipity Bridal). And we’re digging Talon’s look, too. Pairing a chambray shirt with a gray tweed suit from J. Crew was a pretty genius idea.

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

loose bouquet

K carried the most gorgeous bouquet, the handiwork of Clementine Florals. Its palette + ingredients are definitely on point!

tweed bouquet

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding

Kelsey: My most memorable part of the day was the ceremony. I was so nervous before my dad and I started walking, and the sweet moments of him calming me down were followed by the incredibly magical, heart-melting moment of walking down the aisle; seeing every face you've ever loved staring at you with tears in their eyes and then seeing the face of your best friend, soulmate, partner crying happy tears because you're both so overwhelmed with joy is so surreal. My grandfather officiated the ceremony that Talon and I wrote together, and we had loved ones read poems we had chosen; every single word felt intentional and truly encapsulated my love for Talon. Then, reading our handwritten vows aloud to each other, that we had both been so nervous about, felt so momentous and life-changing. I found myself squeezing his hand tightly and nodding in agreement with a few of the words that were read, sending all of the telepathic “I will love you forever” vibes I could muster.

Talon: The most memorable moment was our first look. I was completely nervous, to the point I forgot to have any music playing while getting ready. Waiting for a hug from my future bride was all I wanted to settle down and when I turned to see her, a flood of emotions poured out. It was a burst of happiness, so much so that I couldn’t find words to describe how I felt, how she looked, or what was currently happening. I was completely taken by surprise as to the emotions I was feeling, but seeing Kelsey in front of me as the embodiment of everything I believe and love and want, I was put at ease and the rest of the day was easy for me to remember and enjoy.

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

confetti

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

guest book

Talon has a deep love of space, and stargazing together was how we spent many nights when we first started dating, so we tried to incorporate as many deep blues and star nuances as possible.

Add a little celestial flair to your day by shopping our guide below!

Austin Ranch Wedding

wildflower centerpiece

Austin Ranch Wedding

And I have a habit of collecting rocks everywhere we go, so one of the first details we decided was to collect rocks from the places we traveled to throughout our engaged year and use them in lieu of place cards; on the back of each rock we wrote the location where we collected it written, it became a fun thing for our guests to talk about and compare!

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

greenery letters

greenery wreath

vintage glasses

naked cakes

Austin Ranch Wedding

Our Musical Choices

Processional: Such Great Heights – Postal Service (rearranged by The Lonesome Doves) + The John Wayne – Little Green Cars (rearranged by The Lonesome Doves)

Recessional: Home – Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeroes (rearranged by The Lonesome Doves)

First Dance: The Moon Song – Karen O (cover by The Lonesome Doves)

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Austin Ranch Wedding

Our Advice To Those Planning Now

Talon: Make sure you connect with your vendors; take your time in finding the perfect wedding team, they will be with you for a huge portion of time leading up to the wedding and on the wedding day.

Kelsey: Some great advice I got while wedding planning was, if it stresses you out - throw it out. It's going to be a wonderfully imperfect day, but it doesn't have to be the only best day of your entire life, so have fun and don’t take the planning process too seriously! I would also say plan the wedding together, we never made one decision without the other and our day felt so much more like something we had created and could be proud of together, which to me is a great start to a marriage. Also, don't take it too seriously.

photography: Love Is a Big Deal // venue name: Montesino Ranch, Austin, Texas // event design: Kelsey & Talon // planning: Jen Rios Weddings // florals: Clementine Florals // bride's shoes: Anthropologie // hair stylist: Beauty & The Blush // makeup artist: Beauty & The Blush // groom attire: J. Crew // videography: Joel Vanz Films // paper goods: Archer & Olive // catering: Handhelds ATX // cake: Green Lily Bakery // music: The Lonesome Doves // officiant: Grandfather // flower crown: Clementine Florals // wedding dress: Sarah Seven via Serendipity Bridal // veil: BHLDN // rentals: Birch & Brass // table runners: The Southern Table rentals

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