Todd and Kyann love to travel together so a destination wedding made perfect sense. They wanted their wedding to be small and intimate and having a destination wedding allowed the couple to keep to their guest list small.

The newlyweds knew it was a lot to ask for people to travel for their big day. They asked their family and friends how they felt about having a destination wedding before they booked anything. They didn’t want their decision to cause division or hurt anyone’s feelings. Luckily, for the bride and groom, their guests supported their decision and were up for an adventure in Austin, Texas.

The couple chose Texas because that is where Todd and Kyann took their first trip together and where they first told each other “I love you.” They knew their guests would have a memorable time visiting and would be able to find plenty to do. Cost of flights was also a factor for picking a city. The couple tried to keep travel expenses as low as possible and knew that cheap convenient flights would be available for Austin.

The newlyweds say planning their wedding was both an adventure and a challenge. They tried to maintain realistic expectations. All of the vendors were booked without meeting first. The couple realized that they would have to trust that the professionals would see things through, keep an open mind and not expect everything to look exactly like they had imagined.

“In some ways, it was easier to do it as a destination wedding, because it helped us not feel compelled to do or make as many things on our own that we would have been able to if we were married locally,” the couple says.

The groom had the idea of keeping all wedding information on a spreadsheet. The newlyweds updated it as they went through the planning process. Sharing a Google spreadsheet was “extremely useful way to keep track of things and keep each other up to date.” The pair also did research through websites and books. They read “Complete Guide to Weddings” and “Wedding Planning for Dummies,” and used the Destination I Do website, WeddingWire and Pinterest for decoration ideas and inspiration. The pair advises reading every review when considering a specific vendor. “Imagine if the worst comment there was what happened to you,” Kyann says. Once they had chosen a couple vendors, they were able to trust the vendor’s referrals of other companies. The bride says it was extremely helpful and thought her wedding day went more smoothly since it wasn’t their first time working together. 

Todd’s best man is an artist who hand-lettered all of the chalkboard signage. The bride and groom made the flag banners and the twinkling lights hung in the reception hall. They also made a photo collage with twine and clothespins, set up white balloons along the walkway and helped create most of their featured cocktail recipes for their menu.

The bride and groom’s friends and family all stayed in rented houses for the weekend. The provided their guest with location suggestions, let them do the final booking and coordinate among themselves. This help keep travel logistics simple and made for a festive friend reunion.  Todd and Kyann made an itinerary guide with group activities, suggestions on places to eat and fun things to do. 

The newlyweds warn couples that planning a destination wedding takes more time and effort to research vendors, locations and decorations. Todd and Kyann made a list of everything they needed to buy once they arrived in Austin. “That helped save a ton of time and stress once we were there,” the couple says. 

Vendors: Photographer: Eureka Photography, Ceremony/Reception Site: Mercury Hall, Florist: Bouquets of Austin, Stationery: Vistaprint, Cake: Costco, Ice Cream: Amy’s Ice Cream, Hair & Makeup: Bridal Beauty Austin, Gown Designer: JJ’s House, Groom’s Clothing Designer: Banana Republic, Bridesmaids/Groomsmen’s Clothing Designer: JJ’s House & Banana Republic, Bartending/Cocktail Artists: Drink Slingers, Catering: Micklethwait Craft Meats, DJ: Hill Country DJ