Ryan Lenz and Tracy Hooten met in high school, dated for several years and became engaged after attending a Trans-Siberian Orchestra concert.

The planning process went surprisingly well. Tracy and her mom researched so many ideas and decided to make many of the unique touches for the wedding. This gave Tracy a chance to play with arts and crafts again after her college science and math courses. Tracy eventually hired a wedding planner to help with the intricate details. Dawn Early with Your Very Own Fairy Godmother gave them direction and recommendations that saved time and money.

The wedding turned out to be a complete success. Both the bride and the groom were very relaxed. The wedding was held at the Texas Union Ballroom. They had split the big ballroom in half with a drape divider and so that the ceremony was on one half and the reception on the other. “I had my doubts about whether it would work, but it turned out beautiful and was everything we wanted,” said Tracy. Ryan’s Great Grandpa performed the blessing and scripture reading during the ceremony, which added a special moment for the happy couple. He is a minister, and had performed the wedding ceremony for Ryan’s grandma, mom, sister, and now at 93 years of age, the ceremony for Ryan and Tracy. Tracy and Ryan included all the traditions in their wedding program so that their guests could follow along, and understand the reasoning behind each detail of the wedding.

After the wedding and the formal photos, the newly married couple had to wait for everyone to be seated before they made their entrance into the reception area. They walked in, performed their “first dance,” and then enjoyed the sit-down dinner with all their family and friends. “The Texas Union Catering was amazing and the food and staff was awesome,” said Tracy. A slide show of pictures and music played during dinner followed by the mother/son dance, father/daughter dances, and then the dance floor was opened to dancing. One fun detail that Tracy and Ryan loved was the Polaroid cameras that were set up on tables outside the ballroom. The guests took some great pictures and gave neat little tips and advice that were added to a scrapbook for the bride and groom to read and enjoy after their honeymoon. The guests and happy couple enjoyed the beautiful chocolate wedding cake, but Ryan’s Mario Brother’s groom’s cake was the hit of the wedding.

The newly married couple was sent off amid a shower of beautiful sparklers into a stunning white limo. They drove to San Antonio and stayed four nights at a wonderful hotel on the RiverWalk.

Austin Resources

Wedding Coordinator:
Dawn Earley with Your Very Own Fairy Godmother

Pianist:
Gary Michael Bass

Photographer:
Tyler Schmitt Photography

Hair:
A Zany Do Salon and Day Spa

Make-up:
Vannessa Rosales with MAC cosmetics

DJ:
Dexter Kyner with DJ for Hire

Rentals:
Austin Party Central, Mancino Iron Works, Marquee Rents

Cakes:
Simon Lee Bakery

Wedding Dress:
David’s Bridal

Girl’s Dresses:
The Bridesmaid Store

Flower Girl Dress:
A Bride to Be Rose Garden

Bride’s Shoes:
Serendipity Bridal

Bride’s Tiara:
Things Celtic

Men’s Tuxedos:
Men’s Warehouse

Flowers:
Cardiel Flowers

Venue:
The Texas Union Ballroom, Loggia, Presidential Lobby, and Lone Star Room

Catering/Bartender:
The Texas Union Catering and Event Services

Coffee Bar:
Kenny’s Coffee

Rehearsal Dinner:
Hill’s Café

Travel Agent:
Skip Neal with All About Honeymoons