Modern Spin on a Vintage Garden Wedding

Wanting to embrace the city where they fell in love, this couple’s wedding transported guests to a space that feels new while maintaining their ties to Austin. Set at the Commodore Perry Estate, their wedding was the perfect blend of modern glamour and vintage charm. Thalia Claire stuns in a chic poof sleeve off-the-shoulder gown. After their traditional Greek church ceremony, guests moved to the clear tent reception. The dinner space was nestled into the gardens, where earth-toned florals added to the vintage organic vibe. The live band transformed the Commodore’s indoor chapel into a free-spirited afterparty, colliding perfectly with Thalia Claire’s outfit transformation into a three-dimensional party-perfect mini dress.

I wanted to feel like a princess without any of the stuffiness. We fell in love with the Commodore Perry when we visited it because we felt transported out of Austin while staying in the heart of the city. With a venue like the Commodore, the details were easy to fill in; I wanted flowers that enhanced the garden, a band that could transform the Commodore’s chapel and food that everyone would enjoy.

I wore Monique Lhuillier, the Theodora gown, and I purchased it at Neiman Marcus Bridal in Dallas, TX. I always knew I wanted a ballgown dress, and I have always loved Monique. Funny story — I didn’t pick the dress out! My Sales Associate (shoutout Kennedy!!) picked it out. As I was pulling it on, she mentioned it was a drop waist. My cousin and I locked eyes in the mirror and made a face as if to say, “No way is a drop waist gown going to look good on me.” And then — like magic — it was stunning on me. I fell instantly in love.

I DIY’ed my wedding programs and our party favors/seating assignments. My family is Greek, and I wanted to pay homage to that side of me, so I hand-filled glass bottled with Greek olive oil (called Mr. Papou’s, which felt like a sweet tribute to my late Papou who I [and all of my family] loved so dearly). My mom used a hair dryer to shrink-wrap all of the black labels on! I made a custom stamp online of our wedding crest and a custom stamp of a little slogan (“Opa! Enjoy a taste of the homeland”), and I hand-stamped every single card and attached it to the bottles. I did the whole project with my mom and cousin, and it was such a fun Saturday — so memorable.

I picked my florist (Antonio Bond, an absolute artist) because of his art and his personality, and I let him have a lot of freedom with the pieces after we had walked through the shop together and pointed out colors/flowers I liked, etc. I’m so glad I let him have creative control because I was just as surprised as everyone on the final day about the flowers, and it was a truly beautiful surprise. No centerpiece was the same!! I told him I wanted the head table to look like you stumbled onto a fairy feast in the woods, and I think he nailed that.

Don’t feel pressured to do things the way that everyone else is doing it. It’s so easy to consume so many stories via social media about other people’s weddings. But all that matters is what brings you joy. No matter where you get married or what you wear, you and your partner will be the most beautiful people there. And everyone will have a good time because they are there to celebrate y’all!!