Valerie + Will

September 2026

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Prospect House is known among Austin couples as a blank canvas — a light-filled, modern venue that lets a couple’s vision take center stage. Valerie and Will took that invitation and ran with it, transforming the space with rich burgundy draping, cascading floral installations, and candlelight until it felt like something out of a dream. As their Austin wedding photographer, I’ve shot at a lot of gorgeous venues around this city, and I can honestly say I’d never seen Prospect House look quite like this before. It was warm, layered, and completely their own — proof that the “blank slate” venues are often the ones that let a couple’s personality shine the brightest.

Their Love Story

Valerie and Will’s story started at The Gallery, the bar above the Continental Club on South Congress. Will was out with family that night, and Valerie was there with coworkers — and it was Valerie who made the first move, walking over to introduce herself. They spent the rest of the night talking, and neither of them looked back. Their first official date was downtown at El Cockfight, and from there, the two of them just kept choosing each other.

Years later, Will planned the perfect proposal at the Temple of Love at Laguna Gloria, one of Austin’s most romantic hidden corners. When I asked them what they love most about each other, Valerie didn’t hesitate: “I love how kind Will is.” Will’s answer came just as quickly: “I love how passionate Valerie is.” It’s easy to see why those two things — kindness and passion — made for such a beautiful wedding day. And when I asked what they’re most looking forward to in married life, their answer was simple and true: sharing and experiencing all of life’s moments together.

Getting Ready

Valerie made the choice to skip a formal wedding party altogether, spending the morning instead with her mom and a small circle of casual friends. It was intentional, and it showed — there was a slower, softer energy in the room that you don’t always get on a wedding morning. Valerie’s mom has always been one of the biggest presences in her life, and getting ready together, just the two of them, ended up being one of the most special parts of the whole day.

Before the ceremony, Valerie gave her mom, dad, and stepdad each a personalized gift — a quiet, heartfelt moment tucked in between the hustle of hair and makeup and the excitement of getting dressed. Down the hall, Will was getting ready in his own quieter way, surrounded by a few close friends, cufflinks and champagne and easy conversation.

Dressed to the Nines

Valerie’s gown, by Royal Di Official, was effortlessly elegant — off-the-shoulder, with a long cathedral veil that caught the light beautifully against Prospect House’s crisp white walls. She paired it with Bella Belle shoes and jewelry from The Diamond Reserve and Goodstone Inc., delicate enough to let the dress do the talking. Will was sharp in a menswear look from Soto & Co., classic and timeless against the day’s deep, romantic color palette.

A Heartfelt First Look

Rather than a first look with Will, Valerie chose to share that quiet, emotional moment with the two men who raised her — her dad and her stepdad. There’s something about those in-between moments — the ones nobody plans for the album — that end up being some of my favorite frames from the whole day.

The Ceremony

Valerie and Will said “I do” inside Prospect House, standing beneath a dramatic burgundy-draped arch built especially for their day, with string music from Sienna String Quartet filling the room as guests took their seats. Officially Oaks officiated a ceremony that was warm, personal, and full of genuine emotion — the kind where you can see it on every face in the room, not just the couple’s. With the deep, romantic draping as their backdrop, the space felt entirely their own.

Cocktail Hour (With a Mariachi Surprise)

If you ask their guests what they remember most from cocktail hour, it’s probably the mariachi band. Gallo Rossa showed up in full force, horns blazing, and turned what could have been a quiet in-between moment into one of the most joyful parts of the day. Guests sipped drinks from the bar by Moontower Rentals while the music carried across the property — it was pure celebration, and it set the tone for everything that came after.

While guests mingled, Valerie and Will slipped away for a few golden-hour portraits outside, taking advantage of Prospect House’s Hill Country views before heading back in for the party.

A Romantic, Draped Reception at Prospect House

That same beautifully draped room carried straight through from ceremony into celebration. Working with Bianca Nichole & Co. on coordination and design, Valerie and Will brought in custom draping from Unique Design and Events that turned Prospect House’s signature open, airy interior into something moody, romantic, and completely unforgettable. Deep burgundy fabric swept across the ceiling and walls, and the same dramatic floral arch from Stems ATX — dripping in blush, burgundy, and ivory blooms — now anchored the sweetheart table.

Tables were dressed in linens from BBJ La Tavola, with rentals from Table Manners ATX and signage from Eventive Designs ATX carrying the same rich color story through every detail, down to the menus and place settings. Guests dined on catering from Peached Tortilla and a dessert spread from Rayne Desserts, and the dance floor — laid by Mike’s Dance Floor Rentals — barely emptied out once Premier Austin DJs and DJ Andrew Brown took over.

First Dances & A Night to Remember

Valerie and Will’s first dance as a married couple was tender and unhurried, lit by candlelight under all that draping. From there, the night opened up completely — toasts, dancing, a photo booth from Timber & Lens capturing the sillier side of the celebration, and a dance floor packed with the people who love them most. It ended the way every great Austin wedding should: with a sparkler send-off and one last kiss before Valerie and Will climbed into their car as newlyweds, courtesy of 4 Leaf Limo and Lux Limo ATX.

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Valerie and Will’s wedding is one that will stick with me for a long time — not just because of how beautiful Prospect House looked with all that draping and floral work, but because of how them the whole day felt. No forced traditions, no wedding party for the sake of having one — just two people, their families, and a room full of people who love them, dancing until the night was over.

If you’re planning a Prospect House wedding of your own, or you’re searching for an Austin wedding photographer who will help you tell your story exactly the way you want it told, I’d love to hear from you.

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Vendors

Wedding Day Venue

PROSPECT HOUSE

Signage

EVENTIVE DESIGNS ATX

Wedding Coordination + Design

BIANCA NICHOLE & CO.

Photographer

CARHART PHOTOGRAPHY

Videographer

MOONLIT WEDDINGS

Content Creator

CONTENT BY CLARICE

Florist

STEMS ATX

Rentals

TABLE MANNERS ATX

Linens

BBJ LA TAVOLA

Draping

UNIQUE DESIGN AND EVENTS

Bar

MOONTOWER RENTALS

Dance Floor Rental

MIKE’S DANCE FLOOR RENTALS

Catering

PEACHED TORTILLA CATERING

Bakery

RAYNE DESSERTS

Ceremony Music

SIENNA STRING QUARTET

Mariachi Band

GALLO ROSSA

DJ

PREMIER AUSTIN DJS

DJ

DJ ANDREW BROWN

Photo Booth

TIMBER AND LENS

Beauty

LUXE BY LEXI

Officiant

OFFICIALLY OAKS

Transportation

4 LEAF LIMO

Transportation

LUX LIMO ATX

Gown

ROYAL DI OFFICIAL

Shoes

BELLA BELLE SHOES

Jewelry

THE DIAMOND RESERVE

Jewelry

GOODSTONE INC.

Men’s Attire

SOTO & CO.

Save the Dates

EVENTIVE DESIGNS ATX