Vintage Wedding - Southern Living

Their Story

After a courtship in New York City, Emma Brode and Chris James began to crave a slower lifestyle and moved South to his hometown of Austin, Texas. Following a Christmas Eve proposal, the pair began to plan their fun, vintage-inspired Lone Star nuptials with the help of creative friends and family. “When I started planning the wedding, I knew we didn’t have a lot of money to spend, but I wanted as many creative details as possible,” says Emma, who made her own bridal gown and designed all of the paper goods and invitations herself. “The wedding ended up being an eclectic mix of everything we love: the old West, Mexico, succulents, vintage ephemera, moss, Liberty of London florals, Colby—our French bulldog—and, of course, humor!”

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Wedding coordinator: Lindsey Webb; 512/923-2911
Photographer: Katherine O'Brien; 512/295-6802
Ceremony and reception venue: House on the Hill; 512/327-5377
Vintage trim on wedding gown: Tinsel Trading Company; 212/730-1030

Photo: Katherine O'Brien

Wedding Programs

The programs doubled as fans, helping guests stay cool.

Photo: Katherine O'Brien

Emma's Bridesmaids

Bridesmaids wore dresses in vibrant colors. Emma made her own dress from shimmery fabric and vintage metallic trim. Her matron of honor, Tina, created her headband, necklace, and bracelets out of vintage pieces of jewelry.

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Flowers: Verbena Floral Design; 512/420-0720
Bridal jewelry: Tina Lurvey; 917/420-1719

Photo: Katherine O'Brien

Bridesmaids' Bouquets

The bridesmaids' bouquets were loose and natural arrangements including roses, succulents, and eucalyptus.

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Flowers: Verbena Floral Design; 512/420-0720

Photo: Katherine O'Brien

Chris' Groomsmen

The groomsmen sported matching suits and vibrant ties that complemented the bridesmaids' dresses.

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Groom's and groomsmen's suits: J. Crew
Groom's and groomsmen's shoes: Converse

Photo: Katherine O'Brien

Guest of Honor

The couple's beloved French Bulldog, Colby, walked them down the aisle wearing a bright pink bandana.

Photo: Katherine O'Brien

Escort Cards

Emma, who designs wedding invitations, created and printed the vintage-inspired escort cards. "I love moss, and had to incorporate it somehow, so we covered a table with it and stuck all of the escort cards in with wooden sticks," she says.

Photo: Katherine O'Brien

The Reception

Guests dined family-style at long tables outside. Emma's mother and friend gathered and potted succulents for the centerpieces, and arranged them on colorful tiles brought from Mexico by Emma's sister-in-law, Kelly.

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Reception venue: House on the Hill; 512/327-5377

Photo: Katherine O'Brien

Reception Tables

The reception featured authentic, wallet-friendly Tex Mex food from a favorite local restaurant—Matt’s El Rancho, an Austin institution.

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Catering: Matt's El Rancho; 512/462-9333
Centerpieces: Ann Brode and Ann James of Ann James Interiors; 805/969-4554