1. Real Weddings

A Vintage Holiday Wedding at The Carrington in Buda, Texas

For their late-December wedding in Buda, Texas, Morgan Parker (23 and a sociologist/photographer) and Stanley Petit-Homme (23 and a US Air Force airma

For their late-December wedding in Buda, Texas, Morgan Parker (23 and a sociologist/photographer) and Stanley Petit-Homme (23 and a US Air Force airman first class) combined '40s elegance with traditional festive touches to pull off a celebration that exuded romance and holiday cheer. The couple had originally planned to wed in their home state of Florida, but Stanley was stationed in San Angelo, Texas, not long after joining the Air Force. They planned their wedding around Stanley's Christmas leave, inviting their families and friends to celebrate in Buda, Texas, only 15 minutes from downtown Austin. The change in plans worked in their favor, bringing Morgan and Stanley to The Carrington. Built in 1908, the venue (a former pharmacy and antiques shop) checked off all the necessary boxes (and then some) with its lush English garden, historic architecture and innate Old-world charm. The intimate affair unfolded with a ceremony on the lawn, where Morgan and Stanley exchanged vows surrounded by their closest family members and friends. The pair incorporated hand-washing and unity-candle ceremonies into the proceedings, as well as a memorial bench that honored their grandfathers. Ivory pillar candles and a tiered chandelier cast a warm glow over the scene, illuminating the duo as they shared heartfelt “I dos.” Postceremony, the newlyweds and their guests headed indoors for the cocktail hour and reception. Guests were greeted with glasses of warm cider, eggnog, Island-spice rum and signature cocktails like the Poinsettia Fizz, garnished with two cranberries and a mint leaf. To bring their vintage holiday vision to life, Morgan and Stanley looked to details like golden cutlery, vintage gold-rimmed stemware and a palette of gold, cranberry, blush and ivory. Handcrafted wreaths and a petite Christmas tree infused the dining room with seasonal flair, while bundles of white gypsophila and Italian ruscus designed by Morgan’s grandmother brought an air of freshness to the tabletops. After dinner, Morgan, Stanley and their guests hit the dance floor, where DJ Chad Chase spun a mix of jazz standards, Haitian compas and 1970s funk and R&B that kept everyone grooving. “Dancing was punctuated by line dancing, a 'Soul Train' line and a conga line, in which everyone in the room ages 6 months to 90 years participated,” Morgan says. “One of the most special moments was captured when my godfather Yelberton Watkins took the floor with Stanley’s eldest relative, Great Aunt Altide Alerte.” A tip from Morgan: “Make sure to surround yourself with people who love you and are willing to do anything for you; that was the only way my best day ever came together without a hitch. Stay true to yourself and your vision; make sure to have a list of your top-five non-negotiables.” —Libby MacCarthy

Wanting her wedding day kicks to complement her bridesmaid dresses, Morgan opted for a pair of blush satin Badgley Mischka heels with a peep-toe silhouette and flirtatious floral embellishments. “When I saw them, I knew I had found my shoe,” Morgan says.
In keeping with the vintage theme, Morgan decided on a classic beauty look for her walk down the aisle. She opted for an elegant curled hairstyle, with finger waves on the sides and tight curls on top. “With the makeup, I wanted to look as natural as possible, with pinks and berries as my palette,” Morgan says. “On my eyes we did a smoky gold look. And for my lips we did a pink-nude for the ceremony and a showstopping berry color for the reception .”
The piece de resistance that brought an element of old-world glamour to Morgan and Stanley’s wedding arch was the addition of a tiered crystal chandelier. The luxe lumiere worked with a cluster of ivory pillar candles to cast a warm, ambient glow over the couple as they exchanged vows.
Morgan’s wedding dress was a gift from bridal designer Viola Chan, whom she met at the University of Tampa. The trumpet-style gown tied in seamlessly with the couple’s vintage theme, featuring delicate lace appliques, an off-the-shoulder neckline, subtle beadwork and Swarovski crystal embellishments.
“My mother’s wedding fashions served as my inspiration for everything, especially the blush color of my bridesmaid dresses and the light ivory lace on my gown,” Morgan says. “I also wanted my girls to wear lace and satin to complement my dress and shoes.” The bride-to-be found the perfect fit in a shimmery blush A-line Vera Wang gown. “My bridesmaid dresses were also the generous gift of bridal designer Viola Chan, whom I met during a visit she made to her son at the University of Tampa during my senior year.”
The festivities kicked off with a ceremony on the lawn, where Morgan and Stanley exchanged vows surrounded by their closest family members and friends. The pair incorporated hand-washing unity-candle ceremonies into the proceedings, as well as a memorial bench that honored their grandfathers. The intimate courtyard at The Carrington in Buda, Texas, was the perfect setting, with its lush English garden and views of the venue’s historic architecture.
To keep warm during their postceremony photos, Morgan wore an ash blonde vintage fur cape that had belonged to her great-grandmother. Styled alongside her lace trumpet-style gown, heirloom Swarovski crystal earrings and pearl and diamond bracelet, the cozy cover-up achieved a glamorous old-Hollywood look.
As guests arrived to the reception at The Carrington in Buda, Texas, they were greeted by a delicious selection of seasonal sips. Warm spiced cider, eggnog with nutmeg, and a Poinsettia Fizz flowed. They were paired with traditional Southern and Haitian fare, including deviled eggs and Creole duck.
As a tribute to the season, Morgan and Stanley wove festive touches throughout the reception, including a small Christmas tree that infused the intimate dining room at The Carrington in Buda, Texas, with undeniable holiday cheer. Decked out in blush and crystal ornaments, the tree was a gift from Morgan’s father and was decorated just before the ceremony by the couple’s young cousins, niece and nephew.
Morgan’s grandmother Doris Greene designed all the floral arrangements for the reception tables. To complement the vintage theme, she combined bundles of white gypsophila and Italian ruscus into crackled rose gold mirrored vases. Paired with gold flatware and gilded-rimmed glasses, the tablescapes took on an elegant old-world tone.
Morgan and Stanley's wedding cake honored family traditions, incorporating flavors like red velvet, carrot and apple butter for each layer of the cake’s three tiers. The decadent confection was iced in ivory buttercream and finished with pink peonies, burgundy roses and a vintage gold-tipped topper spelling "amour," a nod to Stanley’s Haitian roots.
Instead of having a head table, Morgan and Stanley opted for an intimate sweetheart table for the reception, which offered them the opportunity to share a few private moments throughout the evening. The table was draped in a rose gold sequin cloth that exuded glitz and glamour, while gilded chiavari chairs were adorned with ranunculus and Southern smilax swags to create a whimsical, romantic effect.