Shelly + Daniel swiped right on each other not long after both moving to Austin, Texas from Atlanta and Philly, respectively. And we are so glad they did. A love story that started on the apps led to this enchanting, eclectic, and unforgettable wedding.
“When it came to planning our wedding, we had a simple mantra: ‘Weddings are parties, and parties are for guests,’” say Shelly + Daniel. “With that in mind, we set out to create a day that was not just about us, but about everyone who has played a part in our lives. Our goal was to make it an amazing weekend, especially for those traveling to Austin for the first time.”
Together with planners + event designers from Plan On It, Shelly + Daniel structured their whimsical + elevated day around an ethereal garden ceremony and a Studio 54-inspired disco reception that turned historic Austin mansion venue The Grand Lady into an exciting, immersive experience for Shelly + Daniel’s friends + fam. And Light As Gold—along with Lauren Nicole, Julia Bonugli, and Fyrelight Photography—was there catching the magic from every angle.
“Ultimately,” the couple says, “we wanted our wedding to be not just a celebration of our love but also of friendship, family, and the incredible journey we’ve been on independently and now together. Thanks to our amazing guests and incredible vendor team, it was a party we’ll never forget.”
We LOVE the meaningful way that bride Shelly approached the beginning of her big day: “Shelly didn’t get a chance to have a bridal shower because her friends & family are spread out all across the world, so we took advantage of the Grand Lady’s beautifully historic dining room and kitchen to create a slightly chaotic upscale tea party themed brunch,” remembers Shelby of Plan On It. “The ladies sipped on custom cocktails and specialty coffee as they enjoyed a relaxed and luxurious start to the wedding day.”
A First Look
So romantic that Shelly + Daniel stole a moment alone for a first look before the excitement started.
The Ceremony
Those massive, funky flower sculptures? That cute wavy mirror? Yeah, Shelly made those herself! Talk about DIY dreams!
“We wanted our lighthearted attitude and love for fun to shine through,” say Shelly + Daniel of their day, “creating an atmosphere that was joyful and relaxed.”
The acrylic chuppah made it look like these climbing floral installations were floating in midair!
Our Favorite Memory From The Wedding The most unforgettable moment of our wedding day was undoubtedly the ceremony. Despite the rainy forecast casting a shadow of uncertainty, we were determined to make our outdoor ceremony happen. Armed with over 100 clear umbrellas (thank you, Amazon Prime), we were prepared for whatever Mother Nature had planned.
Our incredible floral team from Ida Mayes Florals worked tirelessly amidst the morning drizzle, transforming the ceremony space at The Grand Lady into an enchanting garden wonderland that would make even Alice herself jealous. They truly went above and beyond. Collaborating with Shelby and Tiffney at Ida Mayes, we crafted an experience for our guests that was part Alice in Wonderland, part Texas Hill Country charm.
As our guests arrived, there was a collective sigh of relief as the rain decided to take a breather, allowing us to quickly dry off the chairs and proceed with our plans. Walking down the aisle to a custom instrumental rendition of "Beyond" by Leon Bridges, performed live by our live band Allison and the Wy’s Guys, was nothing short of magical.
What made the ceremony truly special was the incorporation of our Jewish faith and traditions. We honored generations past by incorporating elements like the kiddish cup from Daniel’s parents' wedding and inviting family members to participate in the seven blessings. Having the rabbi who guided me through my Jewish conversion years before officiating our marriage added an extra layer of significance as Daniel and I created our own Jewish family that day.
Despite the weather-related anxiety leading up to the ceremony, seeing everything come together against the odds was incredibly memorable. Our planner, florist, and entire vendor team truly outdid themselves. The brief reprieve from the rain allowed us to celebrate our love surrounded by our family, friends, and faith exactly as we had envisioned. It was a moment we'll cherish forever.
Our Musical Choices Processional: "Beyond" by Leon Bridges
Recessional: "Love to Love You Baby" - Donna Summer
First Dance: didn't have a dedicated one :)
Cocktail Hour
Peak Beverage was on hand pouring delicious drinks and mixing signature cocktails.
While guests were sipping and chatting, Shelly + Daniel snuck away for some private portraits.
We’re very into Daniel’s white double breasted wedding suit from Studio Suits and the way he paired it with chic tan accessories.
“Like any modern bride, I had ventured into endless Pinterest scrolls long before my now husband proposed. And there, amidst the endless scrolls, it appeared – the dress I hadn’t even realized I was searching for,” says Shelly of this stunningly classic white satin simple wedding gown. “However, as one is warned, the gown was firmly nestled beyond my budget. But when has that ever deterred a girl? I scoured every corner of the internet, hoping to stumble upon a suitable alternative, but none quite captured the ‘je ne sais quoi’ of that Pinterest dress. So, I took matters into my own hands and set up Google alerts, crossing my fingers for a find on the secondhand market.”
“Meanwhile, I went dress shopping in person in Austin. I tried on countless dresses, but none felt like ‘me.’ It was as if I was playing dress-up, not actually a bride. This only solidified my intuition – that first dress was mine. About eight months before my wedding, the dress was put up for sale on Stillwhite, complete with it’s stunning cape—it was a fraction of the retail price. Added to cart. Shipped from Canada.”
“Soon, a humongous box showed up at my door. The moment I slipped into the Robin dress from Ines di Santo for the first time, I knew my intuition had been spot on all along.”
Sometimes you just have to kick off your Yves Saint Laurent wedding shoes!
Also, how stunning are Shelly’s effortlessly piecey low bun and natural glam by Think Brink?
Meanwhile, back at cocktail hour, the espresso martinis were flowing. Those ribbed coupe glasses 😍
The Reception
Shelly + Daniel started the party off with the hora!
Our Advice To Those Planning Now From the bride: "My first piece of advice is to buckle up. I learned so much along the way and here are just three of my most critical tips.
First things first, get a planner right out of the gate. Trust me, it's a game-changer. I’ll admit it, I toyed with the idea of DIYing the whole shindig, being someone who loves planning smaller events. But thank the wedding gods, I came to my senses and brought Shelby from Plan on It Events into the picture. Let me tell you, she was my ride-or-die for the eighteen months leading up to our big day. If you're juggling full-time gigs, a hefty guest list, and, let's be real, some strong opinions, your planner is your savior. And let me tell you, when you-know-what starts hitting the fan (for us by the unexpected rain on our wedding day), having a pro like Shelby at the reigns is priceless. Our wedding day would've been a hot mess without her and her team – no doubt about it.
Next up, I would advise gathering 'round the table – you, your partner, and anyone else footing the bill – for a heart-to-heart chat. Get real about why you're throwing this wedding and what you hope to achieve. We skipped this step, and boy, do I wish we hadn't. It would've saved us a ton of headaches down the road. Having a shared vision from the get-go with everyone who has or will be heavily emotionally or financially invested in the wedding can steer you clear of a lot of unnecessary drama.
And here's my last tip: have everyone jot down their top three must-haves for the big day. For me, it was all about the fun, food, and nailing the ceremony vibe. My husband? He was laser-focused on music. We kept things running smoothly by divvying up the responsibilities based on our priorities. Plus, it helped us pinpoint where to splurge and where to save. Case in point: invites. I couldn't care less about them – we saved thousands by going digital and sending out evites with a link to our website for RSVPs and info. Also, having these priorities from the parents helped too. Knowing that they deeply prioritized certain aspects helped me delegate accordingly. For example, Daniel's mom really cared about making sure she got all the photo combinations of people she wanted during family photo hour. I had her make the shot list for the photographer. By doing this, we tried to ensure everyone felt heard and valued in the planning process. Having those priorities in mind throughout the process helped us spend our time, effort, and cash where we had already agreed it mattered most."
Countless metallic balloons from Pop & Drop and The Balloon Collective were cued up to be released at just the right moment when The Dart Collective played “Night Fever” by the Bee Gees—one of Shelly + Daniel’s fave party songs.
One of the night’s main attractions was this mechanical bull from Amanzi Party Rentals. LOVE the way this shot captured the spirit of Shelly + Daniel’s celebration and all of the vibey lighting from Altared Weddings & Events.
Beyond the mechanical bull, there were so many exciting reception elements for guests to enjoy: dinner from La Pera Austin, an ice cream truck from Amy’s Ice Creams, late night burgers from Cow Bell’s, a coffee truck Creature Coffee Co, and live artists Vogue Vignette!
We’ve gotta share the story of Shelly’s sparkly, fringy reception dress: “While the Ines di Santo gown exuded timeless elegance, it wasn’t entirely on theme for the disco extravaganza we planned for later in the night. And as someone who typically leans towards short dresses, I wanted something more playful to complement the energy we were trying to bring to our dance floor. I lucked out with the Candy dress from the Spanish brand WOMANCE. I spotted it on Instagram one night, and boom – love at first sight, exactly what I was looking for. It was the perfect funky, fun choice that was the perfect complement to our party.”
“Between the classic, whimsical charm of my ceremony dress and the party-ready vibe of my fringe disco ensemble, I feel like I nailed the perfect balance for our wedding day. Each dress embodied a different facet of my personality and the energy we wanted to infuse into our celebration.”
While guests partied the night away at the Studio 54-inspired disco reception, Shelly + Daniel ducked out for a private cake cutting, slicing into this adorable vintage-iced heart-shaped wedding cake from Gemini Cake Design.
Some final bridal wisdom from Shelly: “Picture this: you’ve planned every detail of your wedding for almost two years leading up to it, hundreds of hours, from the color of the tablecloths to the placement of the flowers to the custom cups at your cat-themed coffee bar. Here’s what you have to remember – no matter what, no matter how much you plan and pray, some things won’t go as expected, and you can’t do anything about it. In our case, the rain altered many aspects of our carefully planned wedding at the last minute. And you know what? That’s okay. It’s inevitably part of the experience.
You have to embrace the chaos. Roll with the punches. Whether it’s an unexpected downpour, the DJ plays the wrong songs, or you trip walking down the aisle, remember: this day is just one chapter in the epic saga of your life together.
Sure, it’s a big day—monumental, even. But it’s important to put it into perspective. This day, as special as it may be, is just a blip on your life’s journey. What truly matters is the love you share, the laughter you create, and the memories you cherish with your loved ones. And remember, all the people who love you and your partner will likely never come together in the way they do for your wedding again.
So, when the inevitable hiccups arise, try your best to shrug it off and enjoy. At the end of the day, it’s not about the perfectly staged reception hall or the flawless ceremony – it’s about celebrating the incredible bond you share with your partner, your family, and your friends. And that, at the end of all of it, is something we all should celebrate every day.“
Shelly + Daniel, your eclectic, immersive Texas wedding was a sparkly, ethereal dream! Congratulations! GWS is so happy for you both!
photography: Light as Gold // venue name: The Grand Lady, Austin, TX, USA // event design: Plan On It Event & Design // planning: Plan On It Event & Design // florals: Ida Mayes Floral // wedding dress: Ines Di Santo // bride’s shoes: YSL // bride’s ring: Zen Moissanite // hair stylist: Think Brink Beauty // makeup artist: Think Brink Beauty // groom attire: Studio Suits // videography: Rebecca Lynn Films // paper goods: 26 Pressed // catering: La Pera Austin // cake: Gemini Cake Design // desserts: Amy’s Ice Creams // tabletop rentals: Table Manners Event Rentals // furniture rentals: Loot Rentals // linen rentals: BBJ La Tavola // music: Allison and The Wy’s Guys // lighting: Altared Weddings and Events // cocktails: Peak Beverage | Bar Catering // second shooter: Lauren Nicole Photo // second shooter: Julia Bonugli Photo // second shooter: Fyrelite Photography // dj + reception live musicians: DART Collective // decor: Pop and Drop TX // decor: The Balloon Collective // rentals: Loot Rentals // rentals: Premiere Events // rentals: Bee Lavish Event Rentals // rentals: Party at the Moontower Event Rentals // rentals: Whim Hospitality // coffee cart: Creature Coffee Co // lighting: Altared Weddings & Events // food truck: Cowbells 512 // mechanical bull: Amanzi Party Rentals // live artists: Vogue Vignette // transportation: Lux Limo // staffing: Austin’s Elite