Lauren and Matthew Taylor Crawford wanted their "micro-wedding" to feel like a house party, and it sounds like it did — if you're going to Austin's greatest house parties. The couple and 40 of their friends and family traipsed through Oddwood Brewing for a pre-party the night before; Justine's Secret House for the ceremony on March 3, 2023; and some Hill Country wineries the last day for a meandering celebration that was quintessentially Austin.
Lauren and Matthew Taylor Crawford had a 40-person wedding at Justine's Secret House.
The couple really met with their best foot forward, in a fateful job interview that turned into a years-long friendship. The unsuspecting duo eventually realized something more was evolving, and the "unavoidable" feelings needed to take precedence. (Here's how it's done, Jim and Pam.)
"Although we really loved working together, we made the decision to take the leap into a relationship and never looked back," says Lauren Taylor Crawford. "Life is much more fun this way!"
Lauren and Matthew decided to keep the focus for their wedding in just a few areas they really felt strongly about: food, drinks, music, decor, and their outfits.
In the latter category, things looked classic at a glance. Lauren's strapless ball gown (bespoke Suzanne Neville) combined a sweetheart neckline and a large bow in the back for a romantic and feminine, but simple look. A closer look reveals a barely there, white-on-white floral pattern, modernizing the look.
Matthew's suit (Saint Laurent) and bowtie also mimicked a classic tuxedo ensemble, but a black-on-black floral pattern emerges up close. An outfit change later included shiny shoes for both.
A keen eye detects details in both monochromatic fabrics.Photo by Amber Vickery/ambervickery.com
One guest looked cute without any extra frills: Puddles, the golden retriever. She attended all the wedding events decked out in a custom-made collar and leash featuring red and gold hearts. Lauren's best friend accompanied her on her walk down the aisle.
Puddles was ready for the big day.Photo by Amber Vickery/ambervickery.com
The main event happened at Justine's Secret House, the homey but elegant event space at the famously sensual East Austin French restaurant. The ceremony took place in a secluded courtyard corner, and the couple combined their last names on both sides: Lauren Taylor and Matthew Crawford became Lauren Taylor Crawford and Matthew Taylor Crawford. The couple crafted their own vows and shared stories during the ceremony, which Lauren says was one of the only "traditional" elements.
Then everyone got right to the tasty stuff: a meal featuring the couple's favorite Justine's menu items, prepared by executive chef Justin Huffman. In a very local bookend to this extravagant dinner, funky Austin multi-instrumentalist D-Madness weaved tunes through the cocktail hour, and Matthew's mom contributed an array of cakes and cookies.
"People always say you never eat at your wedding, but we absolutely destroyed our escargot, steak frites, and pasta bolognese, while sipping some awesome French wines and local ciders and beers," Lauren says. "We loved seeing our friends drink their martinis and bob their heads to our meticulously created playlist while proclaiming that they were eating the best steak they’d ever had. I had to change into my looser-fitting party dress a little sooner than expected, because I was so full from all the awesome food."
The couple watched their friends enjoy their dinners from their own two-person table.Photo by Amber Vickery/ambervickery.com
After dinner, the couple snuck away to the Milonga Room — the eclectic speakeasy underneath Buenos Aires Café — where staff were so excited to hear news of their nuptials that they insisted on an impromptu first dance. All guests were invited on a longer retreat on Saturday, exploring the couple's favorite haunts in Fredericksburg and Johnson City. Stops included Lewis Wines, Crowson Wines, and Nice N Easy for wine and cocktails; and Bakery JoJu for pizzas at lunch.
With all these moving parts, a small wedding could have become very complicated. Still, the Taylor Crawfords stuck to their vision throughout, from the Texas wildflower arrangements to the casual local beverages: Fairweather Cider Co. brews and St. Elmo Brewing's iconic "Carl."
"Make sure to have the wedding you want for you and your partner. It’s so easy to let your wedding become something you design for your parents, for your extended family, for your friends, but it’s about you," says Taylor Crawford. "You can’t please everyone, and your guests ultimately just want you to be happy and celebrate you above all else. We both knew it would be really important to stay true to ourselves ... and we will never regret sticking to that plan."
Vendors local to Austin and the Hill Country:
Venue and catering:Justine's Secret House
Brews: Fairweather Cider Co. and St. Elmo Brewing
Cake:Cindy Crawford
Florals: Wild Heart Floral
Photography:Amber Vickery
Makeup & Hair: Heather Maria Beauty
Jewelry and cologne: Mckinley Mizar and Tom Ford
Music:D-Madness
Unofficial pre- and afterparties: Oddwood Brewing and Milonga Room
Know of an Austin-area wedding to consider for publication? Email brianna@culturemap.com or stephanie@culturemap.com. Weddings must have taken place since January 1, 2023. Find more information about submissions here.
