A HIGHER LOVE
It was the epitome of rustic beauty. The stone archway framed the serene wide open spaces of Dripping Springs, Texas. Greenery wrapped around the wooden chairs, and creamy fabric dressed the cocktail tables. Navy, cream and gold splashed the ceremony site with timeless sophistication. Vintage drinking glasses filled antique shelves. Old family photos and wedding pictures of parents and grandparents were displayed next to a wreath that said “Happily Ever After.” Tapestries with pears and phrases like “Here Comes the Bride” draped over the ends of chairs and tables. The bride was stunning, carrying a creamy bouquet that popped against her navy blue wedding dress. She was about to marry the love of her life, and it was going to be a celebration to remember.
Megan Loving and David Simank met when they started working at the same law firm. Over lunch conversations, the two got to know each other quickly. “I knew very early on that I just wanted him around for all occasions and in all situations, even before we were dating and we were just co-workers,” Megan says. Drew was instantly attracted to Megan and her caring heart. “She is very intuitive and can tell if I’m having a bad day simply by my demeanor and will do anything in her power to provide comfort and compassion,” Drew says.
Drew knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Megan and began planning the proposal to happen on a trip to Vail, Colorado in 2014. They’d visited Vail on Labor Day the year before, and he knew the exact location where he would pop the question. “Proposal day was very nerve racking, but exciting at the same time because I knew our lives were about to change forever,” Drew says. The couple had just finished a long morning hike around the mountain, and Drew took Megan to a look-out point that has 360-degree views of the surrounding Rockies. Drew had planned to document the whole thing on his GoPro camera, and was so distraught the day before when he couldn’t find his charger! Luckily, he found it and acted like he wanted to take a photo at the top of the mountain. Instead, Drew got down on bended knee and asked for Megan’s hand in marriage. “It was just perfect… felt like [we were] the only two people in the world up there on the mountain. It is the best feeling in the world to have the man of your dreams ask you to spend the rest of your life with him,” Megan says. She remembers crying, the event leaving her breathless. Since the two share a love of the mountains, it was the perfect moment and place to mark the milestone in their lives.
One of Megan’s favorite parts of the planning process was shopping for her wedding gown. She saw three Tara LaTour dresses in the window at Unbridaled in Austin that immediately caught the bride’s eye. She loved a navy dress but was afraid to be that bold. With a little encouragement from her mom, Megan tried it on and fell in love. “That dress felt so special. I tried on so many beautiful dresses of designers I had been following for years, [and] I couldn’t take my mind off of that one, even after a long brunch. I certainly didn’t set out to buy a navy dress or spend that kind of money, but it was THE one,” Megan says.
The couple wanted a wedding with a view. They chose to have a garden party inspired wedding with a Sunday brunch reception. Megan will be the first to admit she takes brunch seriously! The elegant hill country venue of Camp Lucy was the perfect spot. On Sunday, March 22, 2015, about one hundred friends and family members gathered on the rustic grounds of Camp Lucy in Dripping Springs. The ceremony site was the picture of rustic charm. The bridesmaids wore various knee-length dresses in creams and blush pink. Drew and his groomsmen looked dapper in their suits. Of course, Megan’s big entrance was an incredible moment for everyone, especially the groom. “My favorite part of the wedding was seeing her walk down the aisle in her beautiful dress. She looked so beautiful in her navy dress, and it was a moment I will never forget,” Drew says. The bride wore a stunning, strapless navy gown with buttons that adorned the bodice and full skirt by Tara LaTour. The couple exchanged vows and rings in a sweet ceremony surrounded by their loved ones. After they were pronounced husband and wife, Drew kissed his gorgeous bride, and the celebration began. “I loved the moment right after the ceremony when Drew and I walked away from everyone (one of the few quiet moments) toward the chapel to ring the bell,” Megan remembers. It created the perfect opportunity for amazing pictures of the happy couple.
The reception was as laid back as the bride and groom. Children were running across the grass and playing as the adults were mingling and sipping cocktails. Brunch was a big hit with endless waffles and crepes. For the couple, it was surreal to have so many important people in one place. “I suppose my favorite part was being able to see the people from all different phases of our lives interact together,” Megan says. Over conversations with guests, the bride and groom held hands and couldn’t help but smile. Megan says she loved stepping back to look at all the details and watch everyone having a good time. After hours of brunching and toasting the newlyweds, everyone lined up to wish them well. Megan changed into a knee-length white dress, and walked out hand in hand with her new husband. They waved goodbye as loved ones cheered and clapped, and the photographer snapped more photos. A picture of their day could finally be added to the collection of family wedding photos, and like the wreath next to that table, they’d live happily ever after.
Other Local Vendors:
Tailor James Photography, Camp Lucy, Unbridaled, Barton Strings, Whim Hospitality
