A Laid-Back, Romantic Wedding at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas

Jess Davidson (30 and a project manager) and Dan Zimlich’s (28 and a pilot in the US Marine Corps) wedding was romantic and elegant, embracing the natural beauty of their venue.

“We wanted the wedding to be outdoors, and the venue’s courtyard area and surrounding gardens were a perfect fit with all of the spring wildflowers in bloom,” Jess says. Dan’s cousin, the officiant, recited the story of the couple’s history and included their thanks and words of love to the guests as Jess and Dan faced them, making for an emotional and intimate ceremony.

As Dan is active duty, he wore his Marine Corps dress blues with white pants. Jess chose a formfitting, A-line gown with a deep V back and neckline. “Both my grandmother and mother wore the same beautiful satin gown on their wedding days, and my dress reminded me so much of theirs,” she says.

The couple hired a six-piece band and requested they play mostly Motown, classic rock, funk and ’80s dance music. “The dance floor was on fire all night long,” Jess says.