Composed by Jessica Posey from Heaven Sent Events
Justin and Michelle Hall
Tell us about your love story!
How did you meet?
We actually met on Hinge and eventually learned that we lived five hours away from each other, so he drove from Odessa to Austin to officially meet me on New Year’s Eve. We had our first date at Jason’s Deli.
How did you know he was “The One”?
I knew he was the one when he traveled five hours to meet a person he had never met before. After we started “dating” I noticed him in the kitchen just doing chores and cleaning up. I could picture our life together at that moment. He says he didn’t have a specific time when he thought I was “the one,” but he knew and felt it right away.
How did he propose?
After getting pinned at his nursing graduation ceremony, he proposed while both of our families were present.
Describe your wedding planning process.
Who helped with the planning?
My Mom was a huge help in the whole process! I also received input from friends and other family members. Justin helped make a few decisions, but for the most part, he was very carefree and had a “go with the flow” attitude during the whole process!
Did you hire a planner or day-of coordinator?
We did not hire anybody, but the venue did provide a day-of coordinator to help make the day run smoothly.
Did you DIY any aspect of your wedding?
Almost all of it was DIY! I used my Cricut machine A LOT for this process. I made all of the signs, invitations, announcements, bridesmaid gifts, and some other decorative pieces.
Did you have a specific theme?
We didn’t really have a theme, so we tried to tie it into our personalities which turned out to be rustic. We had a lot of deer sheds, dark brown colors, wood piece decorations, and softball decorations for my side of the dinner table. It was a country style, rustic wedding.
Where did you save the most?
We saved the most with the venue. It was a reasonably priced venue that didn’t break the bank, but they also provided the DJ, day-of coordinator, bar/drinks, food, and lodging. So a lot came with the price of the venue besides the venue itself. They also provided discounts on being essential workers and booking at an open house event.
Where did you splurge?
We splurged the most with hair and makeup. I was fortunate to have my family pay for my hair and makeup as a gift to me, otherwise I would not have done it! I normally don’t get my hair and makeup professionally done as it can be expensive. I had my mind set on doing my own makeup but was convinced that for a wedding it is a must! My sister-in-law paid for extensions and professional makeup, so I could feel like a princess for a night!
Why did you choose your venue?
I wanted to be somewhere back in the hill country near water. This place was one of the first venues I saw online that fit those options, and we fell in love instantly. It was the only venue we looked at. We were sold!
Did you incorporate any special traditions or sentimental details in your ceremony or reception?
We did everything traditionally. All of the dance, the bouquet/garter toss, etc. I did something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. Our ceremony and reception were fit to our personalities. My father and I threw a softball for our father-daughter dance making it special to us. We had softball and deer shed decorations to make it more personalized, and our unity ceremony was sentimental as well.
What turned out to be your best decision surrounding the big day?
Saying “I do” of course! And picking Nothing Bundt Cakes and having lots of bundtinis for our guests was a great call.
Is there anything you would have done differently?
I would have kept the videographer longer, so he could video the beginning of our reception such as the entrances, first dances, and speeches.
Tell Us About
Your dress:
My dress was from David’s Bridal. It was very simple, but elegant and not super big/puffy. It was an A-line that we added shoulder straps to making it easy and comfortable to move around in.
Your flowers:
It took a lot of thought because I know nothing about floral arrangements. My florist took the time to explain different colors and flowers to me. They tried to match my Pinterest ideas perfectly and even allowed me to visit their shop and see an arrangement in person.
The food:
The food was provided by the venue. We selected the package we wanted and enjoyed a wonderful meal.
The cake:
We used Nothing Bundt Cakes! It’s our favorite place! I had a tiered cake with chocolate, chocolate chip, and red velvet while Justin’s groom cake was his favorite homemade. We also served Bundtinis with all the flavors for guests.
Recap your big day for us
What made you laugh?
Being with all of my girlfriends and family made me laugh. It was a weekend full of fun times and jokes.
What made you cry?
I cried giving my mom her gift. It was a moment of gratitude and being thankful for everything that she had done to make my special day come true.
What were the most memorable moments?
I had several memorable moments such as our first and last dance, father-daughter dance, and the reception as a whole. There were many special memories made on this day!
Did anything unexpected happen?
I had the song “Christmas Canon” picked out for the flower girls to walk down. I had a specific moment for the music to start in the beginning, but instead it started at the VERY beginning when it goes “Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas.” I freaked out because that wasn’t supposed to happen, and it obviously wasn’t Christmas. It ended up being a funny story from the wedding we share with everyone!
Advice and Looking Ahead
What’s the best advice you can give a bride and groom planning their wedding?
Communicate, enjoy the process, and don’t stress too much. Have a budget in mind, and stick to it so you don’t go overboard and get even more stressed. It goes by super fast, so enjoy the planning process together, and watch the magic unfold on the big day! Also, listen to family and friends for their input. It helped me a lot!
What did you look forward to most as Mr. and Mrs.?
Just being together and getting to enjoy living life!
Local Vendors:
Wedding Venue: Hayes Hollow at Hidden Falls
Reception Venue: Hayes Hollow at Hidden Falls
Photographer: Brandy Gray with Firefly Photography
Caterer: Hayes Hollow at Hidden Falls
Florist: Wow Factor Floral
Cake/Dessert: Nothing Bundt Cakes
Makeup Artist: Kendra Kay
Hair Stylist: Kendra Kay
Bartending/Beverage Service: Hayes Hollow at Hidden Falls
Videographer: Jordan Zaruba
Music/Entertainment: CoHost Entertainment
Wedding Music:
Processional – Family Entrance: Perfect – Brooklyn Duo
Processional – Groomsmen: Nervous – John Legend
Processional – Bridesmaids: Thank God (spring symphony version) – Kane & Katelyn Brown
Processional – Flower Girls: Christmas Canon – Trans Siberian Orchestra
Bride’s Entrance: A Dance – Julia Cole
Unity: Yours – Russell Dickerson
Recessional: Good Vibes – Chris Janson
First Dance: My Person (wedding version) – Spencer Crandall
Father/Daughter Dance: My Little Girl; Centerfield; Jump on It – Tim McGraw; John Fogerty; Sir Mix-A-Lot
Mother/Son Dance: The Baby – Blake Shelton
Last Dance: Tie Me Down – Taylor Ray Holbrook
Grand Exit: This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) – Natalie Cole
