Amanda and Oma were set up through mutual friends. The group went out to dinner, and at the end of the night, Oma asked for Amanda’s number, and that was all it took. The two officially became an item in November of 2013, they moved in together in 2014 and built their new home in 2015. The end of a whirlwind of events was the two getting married in October of 2016.

Amanda and Oma were engaged in July of 2015. Amanda’s birthday was on July the 7th, so Oma had told her that he had a surprise for her and that they were going out of town so she should pack a bag. Little did Amanda know that Oma had planned a hot air balloon proposal but because of inclement weather, they had to cancel. So instead, they headed to a restaurant for brunch where friends and family met the couple. Amanda, assuming this was for her birthday, was a little lost. At the end of the brunch, Oma’s mom asked to take a picture of the two by the fountain. Everyone else followed and took their cameras out as well. Then, Oma got down on one knee and proposed with friends and family gathered around them. The perfect proposal may have had a Plan B, but everyone could make the brunch for the perfect celebration!

Being new homeowners, Amanda and Oma spent a lot of time working on their new home and in the yard. When the newly engaged couple was not busy sprucing up their backyard, they got down to wedding planning. They chose a light color palette of mint green, light gray, with a mix of cream and blush striving for an elegant and romantic feel to their wedding day.

After all the planning, Amanda and Oma’s October 2016 wedding date had arrived. 180 of the couple’s friends and family arrived at Ma Maison and walked to the Trellis for a pre-ceremony drink to cool them off. The Trellis had draping along the edge to give a soft, elegant look.

As guests made their way to The Grove for the ceremony, they passed through Ma Maison’s signature antique doors and found their seats, facing the stone arch that was decorated with greenery, florals, and fabric. A crystal chandelier hung in the center of the archway. The processional began with Oma and his five groomsmen walking down the paved stone aisle. Eight of Amanda’s bridesmaids walked to the alter in aqua chiffon strapless gowns followed by the two ring bearers pulling the little flower girls in a decorated wagon. Amanda, accompanied by her father and stepfather, walked down the aisle to Oma. Before the vows were said, Amanda and Oma handed a single red rose to their mothers to honor them. Followed by the giving of the roses, the couple completed a sand ceremony where the two had different colors of sand, going back and forth filling the vase with their respective colored sand. Finishing the ceremony, Amanda and Oma exchanged vows and became Mr. and Mrs. Dawn!

At cocktail hour, guests were given their individual glasses where they could write their names on so they would never lose their drink that night. A customized photobooth backdrop was set up on the Trellis for friends to snap a photo and leave a sweet note for the newly married couple to laugh at later. As the Great Hall opened up for the reception, guests checked where they were sitting on a vintage door with each table assignment on the panes of the door and made their way inside.

As everyone found their seat, they noticed the high beams of the Great Hall and the sail-draping going down the room to the floor. A head table, made of Ma Maison’s custom farmhouse tables, went down the middle of the room with rounds zig-zagging down the hall.  Mr. and Mrs. Dawn were announced and walked down Ma Maison’s grand staircase to the dance floor for their first dance. Once dinner had finished, and the dance floor opened up, a s’mores station was set near the firepit for a little campfire treat.

The night drew to a close with guests making their way outside under the awning for the sparkler exit of the newly married couple. The following day, Amanda and Oma left to the island of Mauritius located in the Indian Ocean.

The advice Amanda has for newly engaged couples starting the wedding planning process is, “Make sure to set a budget ahead of time and plan for unexpected expenses; nothing is worse than fighting over the cost of wedding planning. It’s supposed to be a happy and exciting time!”

                               

Cake: Coco Paloma

Catering: Royal Fig

DJ: Greenbelt DJ

Draping: Unique Design & Events

Floral: Flora Fetish

Hair/Makeup: Lola Beauty

Photographer: Jen Dillender

Rentals: Bee Lavish
              Lounge Concept

Transportation: 4 Leaf Limo
                          Austin Classic Limo
                          Prestige Limo
                          Sam’s Limo

Venue: Ma Maison