Dreamy Floral Wedding at The Contemporary Austin - Laguna Gloria

Gorgeous bride in tulle bridal gown with butterfly and floral design

Patrick and Elizabeth wed this September at The Contemporary - Laguna Gloria in Austin, Texas. The nature-loving pair opted for the venue–the former residence of designer Clara Driscoll and the original home of the Austin Museum of art–because they were drawn to its vast gardens and were charmed by its European-inspired architecture. The bride selected a Monique L’Huillier gown adorned with flowers and butterflies and wore floral body art to reflect her love of the outdoors, blending effortlessly with the surrounding landscape on her wedding day. Elizabeth and Patrick were minimal in their approach to details, keeping the florals and lighting organic so nature could shine.

The comteporary austin - laguna gloria outdoor venue space

Patrick and Elizabeth met in Washington, D.C. during springtime. Patrick, with some exceedingly smooth pick-up lines, somehow convinced Elizabeth to go on a date with him. Patrick and Elizabeth have spent almost their entire relationship without living in the same place, with distances varying from 42 to 6081 miles. Their careers have taken them to schools and training all over the US, and deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Japan.

After spending so much time apart all over the world, the couple wanted to focus on planning an intimate celebration that would merge their friends and extended families in an elegant, epic celebration. They wanted all of the details to be minimal, elegant, and organic, allowing nature to shine and keeping the focus where it belongs, on the people they love most. Elizabeth has an enduring love of nature and chose the The Contemporary - Laguna Gloria venue for its organic feel and overgrown garden spaces. She shined in this aesthetic with her floral Monique L’huillier gown, pressed flower tattoo, and orchid-filled cascading bouquet. Patrick looked dapper in his Marine Corps dress blues with a ceremonial sword.

Details of the bride's white orchid bouquet

Elizabeth’s late father was an accomplished Spanish guitarist and pianist, so she hired guitarist David Córdoba to play bulerías and alegrías for their ceremony and cocktail hour music. The couple also elected to have luminarias light their aisle in a nod to the bride’s and her late father’s familial and cultural upbringing.

Patrick’s family, who live predominantly in France and Spain, traveled to Austin for the wedding to take part in an entire weekend of events from welcome dinner to farewell brunch. Siblings of the couple preceded the bride down the aisle, and the night focused on creating the perfect environment to merge these sweet families. They gave moving speeches about the couple’s service to their country–Elizabeth and Patrick have both served or supported the US military across the globe, including in multiple warzones–and how such dedication would reflect well in their service and loyalty to one another.

The night concluded with a dance party curated by DJ Helios featuring Selena Quintanilla, Earth Wind and Fire, and ABBA. The couple had a private last dance to “Texas Sun” before a sparkler-lined grand exit. It was ethereal, romantic, and simply stunning. We’ll be living in these Laguna Gloria dreams until the next wedding we get to plan there.

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