Sarah + Steffen // A Bilingual, DIY, Texas Ranch Wedding

This wedding was featured on Ruffled.

I truly don’t even know where to begin with Sarah and Steffen’s wedding. Can I just sum it up in one word and move on? Yes? Okay then…. PERFECTION.

…… (Okay, you knew I wasn’t going to leave it at one word.)

Sarah, who was a talented photographer before she was ever a bride, first got in touch with me I don’t even know how long ago and we became online photography friends. I love, love, love the internet for making this possible, because she lives in New Braunfels, Texas, and we may never have otherwise met. Fast forward a year or two, and I get an email from Sarah saying she’s ENGAGED (!!!) and wants me to be her wedding photographer. I was so thrilled, because there really isn’t a higher compliment than another photographer hiring you and trusting you to capture their wedding. So of course I happily said yes, booked plane tickets to Austin for myself and Mary Margaret (who survived another work-cation adventure with me- thanks MM!), and tried to tame the nervous butterflies in anticipation of the big day.

After spending the Friday before the wedding exploring Austin (and falling in love with it), Mary Margaret and I drove out to the Red Corral Ranch in nearby Wimberley on a gorgeous spring day and, upon arriving, immediately began exchanging glances with each other that said “Is this for real?!” Because to say that the details that Sarah and Steffen and their friends and family put together were stunning would be a huge understatement. Though so many elements were DIY, you would’ve never guessed it. The flowers and decor (all handmade!) were incredible. (There’s something about the combination of ranunculus and gold that makes my heart go pitter patter.) Sarah’s amazing Jeffrey Campbell heels (which she exchanged for some pretty incredible seventies-boho-inspired platforms later on that were SO her), her aquamarine engagement ring, the coral, aqua, and gold color scheme, and the perfectly rustic setting offered up eye (and camera) candy galore. And have I mentioned there were lots and lots of peacocks? Including white peacocks? Because yeah… that happened.

But all the aesthetics aside, this day was so amazing because of how much Sarah and Steffen are clearly head over heels in love. They met in Germany, where Steffen and his family (and some of Sarah’s family too!) are from, almost 10 years ago and have been inseparable since. And even though we didn’t necessarily understand all the words spoken on the wedding day- it was a truly bilingual event if I’ve ever seen one- we knew what was being expressed. There were tears and smiles and laughs and hugs, and those kinds of expressions transcend language barriers.

Before I get too cheesy, I’ll move on to the photos. Enjoy! :)

This ring. Ohhhh, this ring. I WANT. ;)

I think this is right around the time there was lots of German being spoken, and all Mary Margaret and I could understand was “german word german word german word PHOTOSHOP german word german word PHOTOSHOP german word german word.” So I guess some things truly are universal. :)

Are Sarah and her friends not stunning? Words can’t describe my love for this color palette. And those flowers! How can they be DIY?!

I guess this’ll do for a ceremony setting. ;)

It’s amazing that weddings can be Skyped to faraway locations these days.

Love this little wink that Sarah gave Steffen during the prayer. :)

Sarah and Steffen’s friend translated the ceremony in German for the benefit of all their German friends and family, which was cool in and of itself. What was even sweeter was that she got so choked up while translating the vows that she couldn’t continue. It was such a sweet moment!

And this is approximately when I began to die of photographer happiness. :)

Oh how I love a bride who belly laughs!

Uhhh… Sarah, you’re gorgeous. The end.

Prepare yourself to be wowed by the reception decor. OMG.

Sarah wanted to use a subtle travel theme as a nod to how far so many people had come for the wedding. I loved how she used maps throughout… so cute! Oh, and they spray painted ALL those vases and jars and candle holders themselves. LOVE.

Sarah said that after I instagrammed a photo of my DIY marquee letters for the St. Patrick’s Day shoot, she was inspired to make her own! Well, have her dad make her own, at least. :) I’m envious that these are real metal… so cool!

Also…. WE HAD A PHOTOG TABLE! Cutest and most thoughtful thing ever! Mary Margaret and I even had our own place cards. *happyheart*

Sarah’s grandmother orchestrated a surprise for them at the reception. Apparently, it’s an old German tradition to have the bride and groom sit in the middle of candles arranged in the shape of a heart as the guests surround them and sing Amazing Grace. They passed around the lyrics in German, so even the English-speaking guests could participate. It was honestly one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever witnessed at a wedding, and I love that it was a complete surprise to Sarah, since she had planned every other element of the wedding to a T. What an amazing memory to have!

Sarah and Steffen: thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing me to be apart of your wedding. I loved every single minute of it. Seriously.

Herzlichen Glückwunsch!