Real weddings

Fashionable Austin couple tastes love at food-focused micro-wedding

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 wedding Justine's Secret House

Photo by Amber Vickery/ambervickery.com

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.

Lauren and Matthew Taylor Crawford wedding Justine's Secret House 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.

Lauren and Matthew Taylor Crawford wedding Justine's Secret House 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."

Lauren and Matthew Taylor Crawford wedding Justine's Secret House 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.

weddings speakeasy pets dogs wine beer

Night at the Museum

Austin museum opens lush gala afterparties to the public for first time

Photo from Thecontemporaryaustin.org.

undefined

For 11 years now, the Contemporary Austin has been hosting "Art Dinners" at its lakeside location, Laguna Gloria. These fairytale-like galas take place as dusk sets in, surrounded by twinkling lights strung across the property's sprawling 14-acre sculpture park. But until now, they've been invitation-only affairs. For the first time ever, the Contemporary Austin is inviting the public to the best part this magical evening: a late-night afterparty.

The Art Dinners have welcomed 300 art luminaries, collectors, civic leaders, and philanthropists over these years to raise funds for the museum's classes and exhibits.

On October 25, once the dishes are put away and the early birds have weeded themselves out, the Art Dinner Afterparty will begin. It will go from 9:30 until "late evening."

Guests can expect a pop-up cocktail bar by the cool Austin speakeasy Garage, with specialty drinks like espresso martinis. Plus, there will be late night snacks from Dolce Bacio Gelato and Restart CBD. Live music and performances will be provided by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Highlights also include: tarot card and palm readings, live body painting, and fire dancing. All of this set to the stunning backdrop of Laguna Gloria's grounds at night. It's basically A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A DJ performs at a late-night Laguna Gloria party. Live music for this after party will include performances by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Photo courtesy of Giant Noise

"We're excited for the magic of our iconic Art Dinner to reach wider audiences," says the museum's Earnest and Sarah Butler executive director and CEO, Sharon Maidenberg, in a release. "We wanted to extend the welcome to more folks and give them the opportunity to engage with our gala, which has historically been a very intimate affair."

Tickets are now on sale on the Contemporary Austin's website at $160 for members and $200 for nonmembers. Ticket sales will benefit the museum's exhibits and educational programming. The Contemporary is Austin's only museum focused solely on contemporary artists and their work. It offers year-round exhibitions, classes, workshops, and events.

$The Contemporary Austin \u2014 Laguna Gloria$ The Contemporary Austin — Laguna Gloria is one of the most beautifu Artwork by Tom Friedman, photo by Brian Fitzsimmons via the Contemporary Austin

Event organizers recommend that guests "dress sharp." Valet parking will be provided, but if this night is as Shakespearian as we think it might be, you may want to catch a rideshare.

More information about the museum is available at thecontemporaryaustin.org.

museums galleries galas dinner visual art