Getting married in the Austin TX area offers so much that you just wouldn’t find in many major cities. One that couples especially appreciate is the city’s proximity to beautiful nature that feels intimate and tucked away from city life. Just an hour from downtown Austin, we find ourselves at The Preserve at Canyon Lake in Canyon Lake TX, where Evan and Aubreye decided to start their new life together!

Since the time Evan was Aubreye’s first Valentine, the two had shared their most special moments together and from the start of their wedding day, they made it clear how important it was to them to share those same kind of special moments together and with their most beloved friends and family. They set aside time to spend with their bridesmaids and groomsmen, their family, and each other. Both of them set aside time to pray and talk with their wedding party, and Aubreye set up a series of first looks with her most important people.

Bride has first look with her bridesmaids to show them her wedding gown — Aubreye’s first look with her Bridesmaids

She did a first look with her bridesmaids to show them her bridal dress, which is something so special that I’ve seen brides do more and more. Next door to the Bridal suite was a wide open balcony overlooking the ceremony space, and we lined the girls up there to wait for the big reveal. They had been asked to wait in there while Aubreye got into her dress with the help of her mom and so that she and her mom could spend a few minutes alone. The girls waited with eager anticipation until Aubreye came in and gave them the go ahead to turn around and they were flabbergasted. Aubrey looked great in her dress and the girls were so excited to see her ready for her wedding. They shared laughs and emotional moments and it was perfectly carved out of the day for them to celebrate together.

Then she did a first look with her dad, which is a beautiful tradition I’ve seen at so many weddings. But then Aubreye did her own twist on the tradition by also doing a first look with her brother!

Lastly she did a “first look” of sorts with her groom, Evan, but with a twist. Though they wanted to share an intimate moment alone prior to the ceremony, they were still excited to see each other for the first time down the aisle, so they did it BLINDFOLDED. Well…Evan was blindfolded haha. It was important for both of them to get ready to make this step together and sharing a quiet moment alone was perfect for them right before they stepped into the action of their wedding day. They spoke with each other and prayed together leading up to their ceremony but still saved the moment for Evan to see his bride walking down the aisle! They tied the knot and said I do to a brand new life that they had committed to build!

One of the things that made capturing their day so sweet was I got to shoot the whole day on film! You can learn more about my analog film photography services here!

For their couple’s portraits, we enjoyed the beautiful lakeside and country views that The Preserve at Canyon Lake has to offer. I found this lamp post that almost gave a Chronicles of Narnia vibe but make it Texas Hill Country wedding. The tall grass and hillside views made for something that bridged the gap between intimate and epic. We then pivoted across the path to enjoy some views of the lake where Aubreye and Evan shared a mini first dance (Shhh don’t tell anyone else that they already danced). We played some music while they danced and let them enjoy another moment alone before they headed to enjoy the end of cocktail hour and their ceremony.

Aubreye and Evan enjoying a moment together with a beautiful view of the Texas Hill Country

The reception was so beautiful! The windows framing up the head table offered a look into the same gorgeous views that the guests got to enjoy during the ceremony. The table settings were put together with care by Anna-Marie of Union Park designs. Aubreye and Evan wanted something natural and fresh so fresh lemons and grapes were a mainstay of the design. They thought it would also be fun if people got to enjoy the grapes throughout the night so they encouraged people to eat them. I definitely got my fill of table grapes as I had some moments free.

Fresh details brought so much life to the tables! The grapes were delicious……ask me how I know ;)

The grand exit followed the reception and their guests were lined up a long flight of stairs leading out of the venue. While they did a sparkler exit, they also incorporated bubbles by way of bubble guns that blew a TON of bubbles. As an Austin wedding photographer, I am BEGGING local couples to do more bubbles! They way they looked on flash were *Chef’s kiss* scrumptious. It added so much depth between Aubreye and Evan and the dark night sky that made for some insanely good shots! I am very much team bubbles.

Some other vendors I’d like to shout out, Mary-Margaret Haze on the live sketches of couples and other guests for cocktail hour! This is the second wedding I’ve worked with her and she brings so much joy to the guests. Julia Fuller Weddings, a mother-daughter wedding planning duo who dotted every i and crossed every t. Their communication leading up to the day was impeccable and the wedding went so smooth. I felt fully supported as one of the vendors. Gassane Tailors did Evan’s suits. The groom looked spectacular. I wanted to link his website but in a fantastic twist, the shop has been around so long that it doesn’t even have a website haha. It’s been around for 55 years and has served up bespoke suits to customers like Lyndon B. Johnson and George W. Bush (facts I gathered from his entry on another blast from the past, Mapquest). Seeing a small business thrive for so long in Austin makes me so happy. The Bride’s dress was from Ubridaled, which serves Austin, Houston and New Orleans, and has wedding gowns from top brands and other rising stars of the industry.

The Preserve at Canyon Lake was their venue and has a beautiful indoor chapel, perfect for those Austin summers, though they also have an outdoor ceremony space! The chapel’s stage is framed up by enormous windows overlooking the lake, presenting the guests with a stunning view of the Texas Hill Country. They have a gorgeous spiral staircase that is bathed in natural light and perfect for photos. The reception space is stunning and offers a ton of space to set up however you like.

The venue is just 60-90 minutes from the Austin Bergstrom Airport depending on traffic and not quite an hour from San Antonio International Airport!

There are also a bunch of good options in close proximity to The Preserve! Within ten minutes of the venue, you have the Canyon Lakeview Resort. It offers stunning views of the blue clear waters of Canyon Lake, Texas. A 20 minute drive around the lake will take you to The Lodge at Turkey Cove which has lake access and other fun activities! For something that has fun for the family you can check out Holiday Inn Club Vacations Hill Country Resort!

And if you’re staying in town, you’re not too far from a few river tubing spots, one of which boasts a visit from Elvis, or you can hit up Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels.

You can see more galleries of mine at my Portfolio Page!

Vendors:

Venue: The Preserve at Canyon Lake

Planner: Julia Fuller Weddings

Photographer: Thom Shaffer Wedding Photography

Videographer: Reverent Wedding Films

Florals: Union Park Design

Wedding Dress: Unbridaled

Groom’s Suit: Gassane Tailors

Live Sketching: Mary-Margaret Hayes

Stays:

Canyon Lakeview Resort