HAYLEIGH & COREY
A Southern Bohemian-Inspired Brunch Wedding
Austin, Texas
From the photographer: “Teenage sweethearts Hayleigh and Corey Dial had been dating for seven years before Corey popped the question. Aside from the fact that they were ready to take on the next chapter of their lives together, one other item was crystal clear: The couple wanted a celebration that reflected both of their personalities. Their idea of the perfect big-day vibe? Something laid-back, cheerful, and full of love. The winning formula, as Hayleigh calls it, resulted in their relaxed and bohemian-inspired brunch celebration, which was held at the Barr Mansion in Austin, Texas.
Hayleigh and Corey invited 150 of their closest friends and family to their personalized November affair, where guests were treated to a one-of-a-kind celebration. "Although we got married in late fall, we wanted our wedding to feel like a bright and sunny boho-inspired brunch party," says the bride. With a mix of warm colors, bright flowers, comfort food, and a number of romantic touches, the wedding day was reflective of the couple's favorite things from start to finish.
With a handmade invitation suite (crafted by the talented bride!) to thoughtful brunch-inspired treats (like donuts and milk and honey lattes!), virtually every aspect of the event was intensely personal. Another stand-out? The poetry station, where a poet wrote small pieces of prose on the fly for every guest who visited his table. Finding vendors that were just as committed to their vision made all the difference, the couple says—this also so happens to be their best wedding advice: "That's what we did and our wedding turned out better than anything we could have pulled off ourselves."
Crafty bride Hayleigh made the beautiful botanical invitations herself, using a vintage art piece as the base and a vellum overlay. The modern brush-stroke script kept the invite feeling fresh; a tiny rose gold fastener held everything together.
Long before her engagement came along, Hayleigh followed designer Rue De Seine on Instagram. "I didn't know this would be my exact dress…but I've always been in love with their dresses and style," the bride says of her floor-length stunner, which wound up being the very first dress she tried on. The focal points of the gown were the floral-inspired appliqué pattern and elegant illusion sleeves. In place of a veil, a small, simple floral headpiece from Rosehip Flora was tucked into a soft braid, completing the romantic look.
The groom's soft, oatmeal-colored suit from ASOS fit the bill for the brunch affair. Corey's funky socks and yellow tie added pops of color and kept the ensemble feeling bright and fun. Plus, the textured material gave the feel of tweed without the weight—perfect for a day under the warm Austin sun.
"Floral design was my number one priority," says Hayleigh. "I love flowers and think they really carry the overall theme and feel of a wedding." One look at the bride's gorgeous bouquet proves that it got extra attention. The loose clutch was full of southwestern-inspired florals, with wildflowers, ferns, and ranunculus in bright, organic textures.
This mismatched crew of 'maids brought the heat in colorful dresses spanning from deep reds and yellows to rust. Though it was a bit more work to find the right pieces for each bridesmaid from a variety of different stores and boutiques, Hayleigh's vision came together without a hitch. "I love the look of mismatched bridesmaids' dresses because it feels more eclectic and fun," she says. "Plus, each bridesmaid can pick something they love and feel comfortable in and re-wear!"
To achieve the casual vibe, Corey asked his groomsmen ditch the suits and go with suspenders and ties, instead. The playful, floral ties from Etsy complemented the groom's own look without feeling stuffy or too formal.
The flower girl was a fashionista in her own right, strolling down the aisle in this crochet-style Joyfoliedress with an asymmetrical hemline and bell sleeves. The vintage look paired prettily with her playfully messy hair and ribbon-tied yellow flats.
Festive programs served double duty as both an outline of the Christian ceremony and a holder for celebratory "confetti" made from some very special flowers. "The floral confetti was actually made out of flowers that I had kept from bouquets Cory had given me throughout our relationship for this exact purpose," explains Hayleigh. "I guess you can say we knew pretty early on!"
The ceremony took place on the grounds of the Barr Mansion. A hanging floral installation served as an eye-catching focal point for the setup, featuring a swath of wildflowers, ferns, and other lush greens. "We wanted something wild and dramatic with lots of texture to contrast the traditional vintage look of the mansion," says the bride. The dangling foliage led the eye downward to a vintage rug with corresponding red, burgundy, and coral hues. A table draped with a dip-dyed cheesecloth fabric made by the bride and groom was another highlight.
The hundred-year-old Barr Mansion had a little bit of everything, making it the top option for Hayleigh and Corey's big day. "We loved that the mansion provided a timeless backdrop for our ceremony, and the use of both the mansion and ballroom were a perfect mix of vintage and modern," says the bride. With plenty of land surrounding the venue the couple was also able to take advantage of the outdoor space, where they held the ceremony and created a lounge area for guests to relax in throughout the day.
Large lucite boards acted as a modern seating chart; they rested against a wooden and floral display with a simple crochet linen and crawling greenery. The dip-dyed cheesecloth made a reappearance here, this time in a golden hue—it was placed behind each board to make the handwritten names more legible.
The couple opted for a brunch menu, putting a foodie twist on everyone's favorite meal. Items like the breakfast pizza and milk and honey lattes were instant hits—but they knew it wasn't really brunch without coffee and donuts. Luckily, Hayleigh and Corey visited Mrs. Johnson's Bakery a few months prior for a taste test, where they were faced with an excellent problem: "It was too hard to narrow it down!" says Hayleigh. "We had regular glazed, strawberry glazed, blueberry cake, chocolate cake, and glazed cake." The donuts were displayed in front of the retro Cosmo Camper on a variety of sweet platters.
An eclectically comfortable seating area was something the bride always envisioned. Loot Vintagehelped bring that dream to life with pieces in mismatched textures and colors. The whimsical tee-pee with hanging brass lanterns became the perfect backdrop for guests to take photos.
In lieu of traditional favors, the couple tapped poet Ryan Knowles from Untouched Poetry to write custom pieces for anyone who visited his table. With just a few questions and a few minutes, Knowles was able to type up beautiful prose for guests to bring home with them as a reminder of the beautiful day. "It's something from our wedding that we'll be able to have and cherish forever," says Hayleigh. "A lot of our guests have told us that they have their poems framed and displayed in their homes, which is really special."
The head table was adorned with a macramé runner spotted with greenery and bright flowers—chair backs were decorated with the same woven styles. The guests' long, wooden farm tables contrasted nicely again the delicate fabrics draped across the tablescapes. Brass candlesticks were placed in between low centerpieces in golden vessels, creating a dynamic juxtaposition of high and low. "The floral design was so unique, eclectic, and nontraditional. It was exactly the kind of look we wanted," notes Hayleigh.
Each guests' place setting was labeled with a small, calligraphed lucite block to mark their spot. The same design was used across the table numbers, complete with pressed flowers underneath.
You can't get married in Austin without donning a classic denim jacket—and these embroidered numbers from Daily Disco truly fit the bill. The couple popped these on just before their great escape, which they made under a shower of dried lavender and herbs.
A stylish exit outfit deserves an equally-stylish getaway car, which is why the couple opted for a vintage ride to whisk them away to their hotel after the celebration came to a close. Shortly thereafter, the newlyweds jetted off to honeymoon in Thailand, where they spent time in Bangkok, Krabi, and Chang Mai.”
SOUTHERN WEDDING VENDORS
Apparel: Daily Disco // Transportation: Transportation Consultants // Groomsman Attire: ASOS // Hair Stylist: LoLa Beauty // Dress Designer: Rue De Seine // Design and Decor: Loot Vintage Rentals // Calligrapher: Boarding School Collective // Cinema and Video: The McKellars | Wedding Cinema // Floral Designer: Rosehip Flora // Event Designer: Bird Dog Wedding // Reception Venue: Barr Mansion // Photographer: Matthew Moore Photography
