These Texans Added a Touch of Glam to Their Casual, Fun Hill Country Wedding

It’s safe to say that Ryan McCormick owes his sister big time since she’s the very same person that introduced to him to his future wife, Kristyn Carroll. The pair met in May of 2012 when Ryan was in Austin visiting his sister — Kristyn’s best friend. “He came to town to visit her and his nephew, and we hit if off immediately over dinner and some margaritas,” Kristyn says. After two years of dating, Ryan knew he wanted to ask Kristyn to marry him and devised the perfect plan: He’d pop the question during their annual trip with friends to Vegas over the July Fourth holiday. Despite his well-thought plans, that’s decidedly not how he got down on one knee. Instead, he went casual with an at-home proposal on June 18, 2014, by attaching a note to their boxer Mac’s collar that asked if she would “marry his daddy.” “It was a perfect moment and I wouldn’t have had it any other way!” Kristyn says. “It was special and private, perfect for the two of us.”

Just like that proposal, the couple wanted a wedding that was casual and fun, but with a dash of Texas glamour. They chose Memory Lane, a rustic 18-acre venue in the heart of Texas Hill Country, as the spot for their October 10, 2015, nuptials and asked 160 guests to join in on the fun. Kayla Barker was there to capture every flower-filled moment of this couple’s fall celebration, a choice the bride says was the easiest and best decision she and Ryan made throughout their planning process. “She is so creative, kind, and really helped with my vision, so I can’t imagine having anyone else documenting our big day but her,” Kristyn says. Read on to see the beautiful details!

“We were drawn to our venue because of the beautiful trees and the Texas Hill Country landscape around the property,” Kristyn says of their Dripping Springs locale. “It’s one of my favorite areas in the state, so we knew this is where we wanted to have our special day.” When it came to design, the bride wanted lots of neutral hues mixed with natural greenery and pops of lavender, so this floral invitation suite from Wedding Paper Divas hit the nail on the head. With calligraphy from Megan Clegg of Cleggraphy Designs, the final result clued guests into the vibe of Kristyn and Ryan’s wedding day.

In addition to her engagement ring, the bride accessorized with a beautiful family ring that had belonged to her grandmother. The romantic, vintage feel of the bauble was perfectly in keeping with her lace wedding dress from Modern Trousseau, which was one of only four gowns that she had tried on. Her lace-trimmed veil and metallic Jimmy Choo shoes were her finishing touches.

Kristyn had a very specific vision in mind for flowers: Earthy and natural, with no two arrangements looking too uniform or exactly the same. “The ladies at Wild Bunches did a great job,” she says. Her gorgeous, organic bouquet, which was comprised on spray roses, dahlias, rosemary, eucalyptus, agonis, vines, astilbe, garden roses, and ruscus, hit the nail on the head.

The bride’s six attendants wore flowing one-shoulder gowns from Wtoo and carried mismatched bouquets made up of the same blooms in Kristyn’s arrangement. Her flower girls both donned tea-length ivory gowns and super-sweet herb and flower crowns.

Ryan and his groomsmen wore navy suits and plaid ties that fit perfectly with the couple’s rustic-meets-elegant vibe. Much like the bride and bridesmaids’ bouquets, the men’s boutonnieres featured white ranunculus, sprigs of lavender, and a variety of different greens.

The outdoor ceremony featured an aisle lined with greenery and white flowers and a wooden altar. Candles in clear hurricane vases also dressed up the outdoor space. As guests arrived, they were greeted by a sign indicating they could sit on whichever side they desired, rather than the tradition of the bride’s family on one side of the aisle and the groom’s family on the opposite.

Once the flower girls made their way down the aisle, Kristyn and her father walked out to an acoustic version of Ed Sheeran’s “Thinking Out Loud.” A family friend officiated the traditional ceremony.

After officially becoming Mr. and Mrs. McCormick, the newlyweds made their exit to Marvin Gay’s “Let’s Get It On.”

During cocktail hour, guests dropped cards and gifts at a table decorated with fresh flowers and lanterns before signing the bride and groom’s guestbook. A lounge with comfortable furniture was also set up on the patio for loved ones to have a seat while mingling.

Guests moved inside for the reception, where they found the wood-walled space and high ceilings decorated with elegant white draping, long tables, and lots of floral arrangements. Wooden tables were done up with greenery garlands that were studded with white flowers and glowing candlelight. Taller arrangements with the same floral mix kept the space looking different.

Kristyn and Ryan’s chairs stood apart from the rest with a swag of greenery and flowers and wooden signs that read “Better Together.”

The four-tier white wedding cake was decorated with a textured buttercream. Inside, layers of almond cake with fresh strawberries and carrot cake with cream cheese frosting awaited guests.

The bride changed up her look with a flower crown for the reception. Once inside the space, the newlyweds shared their first dance to Justin Moore’s “Till My Last Day.”

The duo departed for their honeymoon in Mexico in a flurry of light from glow sticks. “Remember that the day is about committing the rest of your life to your best friend,” Kristyn reminds future brides. “Enjoy and savor every single moment because you will never get it back again.”

Ceremony & Reception Venue: Memory Lane || Bride’s Wedding Dress: Modern Trousseau || Shoes: Jimmy Choo || Hair: Pearl || Makeup: Makeup By Tabitha || Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Wtoo || Groom’s & Groomsmen’s Attire: Jos. A. Bank || Flowers: Wild Bunches Floral || Invitations: Wedding Paper Divas || Calligraphy: Cleggraphy Designs || Music & Videographer: Complete Weddings and Events || Catering: Urban Cowboy || Cake: Classic Cakes by Lori || Rentals: Bee Lavish || Photographer: Kayla Barker

Did you love this beautiful celebration? Then settle in for another couple’s Texas wedding in the video below.