A Fall-Inspired Wedding With Sweet Details by the Couple’s Kids at South Congress Hotel in Austin, Texas
When planning their wedding day, Angelica Whitwell and Tolly Savile were laser-focused on creating an intimate, warm event for their family and friends to enjoy. The couple wanted their nuptials to convey a sense of autumnal romance—they chose bold earth tones to create an inviting atmosphere. “Family is so important to us both,” the bride conveys. “We had our daughters as our maid of honor and flower girl while our son was a groomsman. Also, my husband’s entire family lives in the UK, so our wedding was the first time that both families were all together.” A loving environment was the top priority for the long-term pair.
Angelica and Tolly’s choice of wedding venue was simple, as they fell in love with the modernity of the South Congress Hotel. As far as fashion was concerned, the bride’s selection was just as easy. “The perfect dress was the first one I tried on!” reveals the bride. “Since florals were a big part of the wedding, I wanted my gown to match.” She picked out a stunning, off-the-shoulder gown fitted to her silhouette with lace floral appliques throughout. Her groom chose a sleek, black suit with the added personalization of a Star Wars tie clip.
To include their kids in the wedding planning and design process, the lovebirds asked them to exercise their creativity. “We had our children make the welcome sign and table numbers—it was a nice little treat,” Angelica shares. For their little girls, the bride and groom picked out soft taupe gowns that matched the day’s palette, while their son looked dapper in a classic suit.
Guests gathered in the venue’s courtyard to take their seats for the ceremony. The officiant—wearing stylish, formal shoes with the Union Jack flag design—stood at the top of the stairs on the patio that acted as the altar. The space was minimally adorned, with the focal point being the verdant “flower tower” backdrop featuring white, blush and peach blooms accented with greenery and deep orange branches. “Flowers were a huge part of our décor,” tells Angelica. “The overall theme of our day was modern fall romance, which the flowers truly conveyed.” Finally, the bride descended the aisle to the tune of “XO” by Beyoncé, played by a string quartet.
After the “I dos,” attendees followed the newlyweds into the reception space. The seating chart evoked a clean, minimalistic look with white-and-silver details. The display also featured asymmetrical, cascading arrangements in the same autumnal colors from the ceremony. Then, with the help of artistically excellent—and incredibly personalized—table numbers, guests found their seats for dinner at long or round tables displaying crisp, white linens, neutral fabric runners and low centerpieces filled with the couple’s fall-inspired florals. “We wanted our reception space to be warm and welcoming—almost like an intimate dinner party in our home. But, with the space for dancing, of course!” says the couple.
The couple’s favorite moment of the day was the first look. “It was so nice seeing each other and having a moment before walking down the aisle,” Angelica says. “It was also really special having both of our families come together. The majority of our relationship was during covid, so we didn’t get this opportunity before.”
For future couples, the bride advises taking everything in stride and not letting the stress take over. “It is only as stressful as you allow it to be. Remember why you are there and that the day is about you two as a couple and a celebration of your love.”