Real Wedding: Laura & Gabe

When Gabe first mentioned the idea of getting engaged I was a little overwhelmed and gave him one request, I just wanted to be surprised. August 5, 2009 started out like any other day. We both went to work and met up for dinner afterwards, nothing out of the ordinary. After dinner we sat on what is now referred to as, “the engagement couch” to watch a little TV. Gabe was restless and kept getting up during our shows.

It was getting a little annoying because I thought he was ignoring me to check the stock market or some sports news. He finally walked out of his room holding a polished wooden ring box. I was so very confused. He sat on the couch, opened the box, my jaw dropped, and for all I know he was speaking Chinese! After a lengthy speech he finally asked me to marry him. I got my wish, I was TOTALLY surprised!!!!

Erin (my florist) was the last vendor I chose. I knew I wanted flowers in the pink and green color scheme, I wanted them to look antique. My bouquet was breath taking. I still have it and it still looks so beautiful all dried up. Erin is floral genius!

I made (edited two patterns, constructed and sewed) all four of my bridesmaid’s dresses and hand sewed my veil.

While flipping through Bride’s magazine I fell in love with an Ian Stewart dress. It screamed romantic, elegant, and antique. It was a champagne color with a partially lace bottom. Unfortunately the dress was out of my wedding budget, but I knew what I wanted.

When I went dress shopping my bridal consultant found a dress almost identical to the Ian Stewart gown. My dress was a San Patrick design with a sweet heart neckline and I just couldn’t stop thinking about it. I wanted my dress to have the same ambiance that the Cathedral has. The champagne fabric was perfect in my eyes.

I took a year off work to plan our wedding. Needless to say, I had a lot of time to focus on details! My favorite detail was the milk glass I collected and also our gifts to the guests. We bought small brown gift boxes and filled them with Mexican wedding cookies (also known as Danish wedding cookies).

My parents and I stayed up two nights in a row before the wedding baking all the cookies, rolling them in powdered sugar, and placing them in the boxes. It was definitely a chore.

I was set on using milk glass for my center pieces. For budget reasons we decided to have six centerpieces that were glass cylinders filled with water and an orchid floating inside.

We agreed the rest would be an arrangement of milk glasses filled with a combination of roses, daisies, and lots of other pretty flowers. I was so hesitant and nervous that it would look like a hodge ponged mess but the center pieces looked incredible!

My favorite design element was the venue. It was right in the middle of downtown San Antonio, foot steps away from the famous River walk, and the best part was that no one had to drive to get to the reception.

The Cathedral is the oldest continuously functioning religious community and the oldest standing church in Texas. Jim Bowie (Alamo defender) was married here in 1831. I wanted the wedding to have an old San Antonio
feel. I wanted the colors to feel classic and antique. I let the stone of the Cathedral inspire my dress color and the rest of the bridal party’s attire.

Josie stepped into my vision and topped it off with having ivory linens and chair covers at the reception. Our reception took place at the Cathedral Hall adjacent to the Cathedral. Everything was so coordinated we even rented out the plaza in front of the church. We wanted everyone to have a great time and experience the charm our home city has to offer.