Tara and Jeff met at a local online dating site called Singlenet.com. Jeff was actually Tara’s first date since she had joined the site, and she was Jeff’s second date. Tara almost backed out of the date, “It still amuses me to this day,” laughs Tara. Jeff called Tara right before he was about to pick her up at her apartment, and said that he might smell bad because he just finished eating Mexican food with his buddy. “I was like, Oh no! I don’t want to go on a date with this guy that’s gross!” laughs Tara. She came very close to a no-show. Her mom talked her into going, and she was very glad that she did. They hit it off instantly. Their first date was at Alamo Draft House, and Tara picked a horror movie, just so that she would be close to her handsome date. The rest is history, and they were engaged six months later.

Jeff staged his proposal on Valentine’s Day at an Italian restaurant. It was the perfect place to propose, since Tara went to culinary school and enjoys food so much. With an audience of older married couples that clapped, cheered, and congratulated the newly engaged couple, Tara said, “yes!” Jeff had even hired a wedding photographer, Brude Covil, to catch the proposal on film.

Tara wanted her wedding to be relaxed and definitely did not want to become a Bridezilla. With her mom’s help, the wedding plans came together delightfully. They had six months to plan their wedding and tried to use as many resources as possible to find their vendors. “Looking back, I realize all the quality time I got to spend with my family and friends during the planning time,” said Tara. “The best memories were getting to eat all kinds of fruits and chocolates at Viva Chocolato for my Bridal Shower, and having her bachelorette party at Midevil Times in Dallas.” She said. Another fun memory for Tara was on the day of the wedding, Tara decided that she wanted all of her attendants to have their hair styled in the “modern beehive.” “We laughed and joked all day, it was so much fun,” laughs Tara.

The wedding took place at Vintage Villas in Austin. The ceremony was held outdoors, overlooking Lake Travis, with about 120 close friends and family. It was an especially special moment when Tara’s dad walked her down the aisle, because her dad had recently undergone heart surgery and was such a blessing that he there to give his daughter away.

After the wonderful ceremony, the guests enjoyed the groom’s choice of menu, Old-fashioned BBQ. Their gorgeous cake, by Michele’s Patisserie, had several different layers, such as strawberry, chocolate, tiramisu, and traditional white cake. “The guests loved it!” said Tara. The fun began with the newlywed’s first dance, “I’m yours,” followed by the father/daughter dance “Have I told you lately.” The rest of the evening was filled fun and laughter as they celebrated their big day.

The newly married couple honeymooned in beautiful Nassau, Bahamas for five sun-filled days and star-filled nights. They relaxed, snorkeled, kayaked, and reminisced about their fantastic wedding day, Tara is still laughs as she remembers that she was almost a “NO-Show,” for their first date.

Austin Resources

Venue:
Vintage Villas

Flowers:
Flower Child

Hair:
Tammie Garza

Cake:
Michelle’s Pattisserie

Photographer:
Bruce Coville