South Congress Hotel

Rehearsal Dinner

Smith Family Chapel

Wedding Day

Ceremony

Austin Country Club

Reception

Our Wedding

Our Story

Adventure Buddies

Sam Balbierz

Jenny Mo

Natalie Cooke

Morgan Gallo

Lizzy Levine

Rachel Wulfe

Brittany Rivoli

Lindsey Wilson

Sam Callejas

Darcy Godwin

Emory Cooke

Brandon Russell

Austin Russell

Matt Jones

Taylor Bell

Diego Vivar

Jack Lucie

Dan Mo

Alex Dettmer

Alex Tolbert

Brandon Cooke

Travis Cooke

Grayson Cooke

Finley

Wedding Party

Q + A

When booking online, you can click directly on the link below to be taken to the booking page where the code will already be applied. Please note, the green dots on each night symbolize nights, so even though a night is crossed out, you may still be able to select that date for your check out date. If you prefer to call, you can book directly with the reservations department by calling the number listed above. Please make sure to mention the CookeRussell room block. The cut off date for the room rate will be 5/9/25. The discounted room rate will only apply for the dates 6/5/25-6/8/25. Please note, there is a parking fee of $45 per day. This hotel is approximately 20-30 minutes (10 miles) from the ceremony and reception. We recommend staying here if you are looking to enjoy a weekend of Austin activities!

When booking online, you can click directly on the link below to be taken to the booking page where the code will already be applied. If you prefer to call, you can book directly with the reservations department by calling the number listed above. Please make sure to mention the CookeRussell room block. The cut off date for the room rate will be 5/8/25. The discounted room rate will only apply for the dates 6/6/25-6/8/25. Please note, there is a self-parking fee of $20 plus tax per night. This hotel is approximately 10-15 minutes (6.5 miles) from the ceremony and reception. We recommend staying here if you are looking to stay closer to the wedding day events!

Renaissance Austin Hotel

Hotel Information

Looking for ideas on things to do around Austin? Listed below are some of our favorite attractions, restaurants, and bars!

Attractions

This vibrant neighborhood south of Lady Bird Lake is a must-stroll for visitors and a popular hangout for locals. South Congress oozes homespun character and boasts the story of Austin’s yesteryear in its boutiques, eateries, galleries and music venues. Here you will find Austin's famous "I Love You So Much" sign.

South Congress Avenue

If you want to do the Texas two-step, this is the place to go. The dance hall is internationally known as an authentic honky-tonk. Willie Nelson, George Straight, and Dolly Parton have performed here. Don't miss the memorabilia room, aptly nicknamed "the tourist trap room," which is filled with photos, hats, and other country-music treasures.

Broken Spoke

Starting in late March and continuing through early fall, North America's largest urban bat population calls Austin home. The bats begin to wake up and start their night flight around sunset. The first few bats begin to trickle out from under the bridge then. After the sun sets, the show really begins, and hundreds to thousands of bats pour out and cascade east&nbsp;over Lady Bird Lake.&nbsp;The best time to witness the bats is around sunset, but the nightly show can take place anywhere from 7:30 to 9:45 p.m.&nbsp;It can take as long as 45 minutes for all of the bats to exit the bridge for the night. Plan to arrive early in order to find parking and get your spot.

Congress Avenue Bridge Bat Watching

The peak is a fantastic viewing point for sunsets and sunrises! Actually located in Covert Park, Mount Bonnell is one of the highest points in Austin at 781 feet. While this view is pretty high up in the sky, don't be intimidated! The overlook of downtown and the 360 Bridge is actually more of a tourist destination than a workout and is a great hot spot for picture-taking. When you reach the top of the 102-stair climb, you can rest at the view deck and pavilion before making your way back down.&nbsp;

Mount Bonnell

If you want a gorgeous view of the countryside and downtown Austin, take a quick hike to the scenic Pennybacker Bridge overlook! Viewing a beautiful sunset over the bridge is an excellent treat to the eyes.

Pennybacker Bridge Overlook

The granite Texas statehouse stands as a testament to the history of the Lone Star State. The Texas Capitol is widely recognized as one of the nation's most distinguished state capitols. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

Texas State Capitol

At the LBJ Presidential Library, visitors have an opportunity to learn about America’s 36th&nbsp;President, Lyndon Johnson. Through innovative, state-of-the art exhibits, the political and personal lives of Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson come alive.&nbsp;This contemporary experience allows visitors to understand the decisions President Johnson faced and experience his passion for critical issues such as education, civil rights, the environment, health care, and the arts.&nbsp;All aspects of Johnson’s presidency are explored, including the Vietnam War. Visitors can pick up a telephone to hear audio recordings of Johnson as he conducts business–a rare behind-the scenes glimpse inside the White House, found only at the LBJ Library. While exploring the Library’s exhibits, visitors step into a replica of the Oval Office, hear about life in the White House from the President’s daughters, delve into the digital archives to read letters, watch videos, view photos from the Library’s collections, and experience the decade of the Johnson Administration – the turbulent 1960s.

LBJ Presidential Library

The Hike &amp; Bike trail is a low-grade trail, most of which is wide enough to accommodate both cyclists and pedestrian traffic, making it a leisurely, enjoyable ride for cyclists, runners and families alike. Because the trail winds through downtown, there are access points and parking all along the route, making it easy to choose your distance, detours, and side trips, all in view of the Austin skyline. Whether you prefer to ride the trail’s entire 10-mile loop or take a shorter, more leisurely ride, we recommend taking the time to take a dip in either Barton Springs or Deep Eddy Pool, both of which are spring-fed pools on either side of Lady Bird Lake. Don't feel like exercising but still want to check out Lady Bird Lake? Rent a kayak or paddleboard! Because there is no motorized boat traffic on Lady Bird Lake, paddlers of any kind can take full reign over the lake. There are multiple locations around the lake where you can rent everything you need. A quick Google search can show you the different locations and prices that work best for you!

Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail

Zilker Park is a 361-acre park nestled in the heart of downtown, right off Lady Bird Lake. The park was founded in 1917 and is home to picnic facilities, bike/canoe rentals, a disc golf course, a large playground for children, the Zilker Zephyr train and Barton Springs Pool, an urban oasis where swimmers plunge into 68-degree, spring-fed waters. The park is also the host to great events like the Austin City Limits Music Festival and the Austin Kite Festival.

Zilker Metropolitan Park

Within Zilker Park's 361 acres lies one of the crown jewels of Austin - Barton Springs Pool. The pool itself measures three acres in size, and is fed from underground springs with an average temperature of 68-70 degrees, ideal for year-round swimming. The pool is open everyday from 5 am - 10 pm, with the exception of Thursday from 9 am - 7 pm when the pool is closed for cleaning. Swim at your own risk hours are daily from 5 am - 8 am and 8 pm - 10 pm. Please note, the pool charges for admission tickets. On the other side of the fence, you will find the free side of Barton Springs.

Barton Springs

The state's oldest swimming pool, Deep Eddy, offers lap swimming, wading pool and pool-side movies in the summer. Featuring clear-blue spring-fed waters at 68 to 70 degrees all year long, Deep Eddy Pool is a unique close-to-downtown treat for Austin residents and visitors. Enjoy the glory of fresh chlorine-free water in the ten-lane, 100 foot-long lap pool, or the expansive one-acre wading pool with beach entrance. Relax with family or friends under the shade of the mature pecan and oak trees on the surrounding grassy lawns. Affordable entry fees apply during warmer months.

Deep Eddy Municipal Pool

Tucked away on 26 acres of Austin’s Zilker Metropolitan Park, Zilker Botanical Garden is a lush sanctuary of koi ponds, live oaks, and prickly cactuses of all shapes and sizes. Composed of multiple themed gardens, this natural retreat offers something new around every corner. Witness the colorful blooms of the Mabel Davis Rose Garden and explore the Isamu Taniguchi Japanese Garden, complete with a stone gate gifted by Austin’s Sister City (Oita, Japan), a teahouse, and numerous Japanese maples.

Zilker Botanical Garden

Located at the Texas National Guard Headquarters, the museum honors all Texas military personnel with exhibits and archives from the Texas fight for independence through all major US military conflicts. Tues.-Sun., 10am-4pm.

Texas Military Forces Museum

Located just north of the Texas Capitol, visitors can’t miss the red granite building that’s topped with a majestic copper dome and features a monumental, 35-foot-tall bronze star stationed in the Museum’s Lone Star Plaza. But the real attraction here is the three floors of Texas History Galleries that take visitors on a one-of-a-kind journey through more than 16,000 years of Texas history.&nbsp;In the Texas History Galleries, visitors learn about everything from the region's earliest inhabitants to the Texas Revolution, space exploration and pop culture. Artifacts in the Texas History Galleries change regularly, so there is always something new to see. The Texas History Galleries also feature innovative multimedia interactives, including immersive theaters and augmented reality experiences.&nbsp;

Bullock Texas State History Museum

Restaurants

This restaurant is our favorite place to eat Tex-Mex! Every time we come to Austin we must eat here several times. There are six different Austin locations, so pick whichever location is best for you! We highly recommend getting the frozen margarita and Diablo Sol Food with Guacamole.

Maudie's Tex-Mex

Home Slice Pizza is an independent neighborhood pizza joint serving authentic NY-style pizza. Over the years, Home Slice has evolved from a scrappy local mom-and-pop pizzeria into an iconic Austin landmark.

Home Slice Pizza

This Austin original, Baja California-inspired restaurant chain serves burritos, tacos, salads, and bowls. Cabo Bob's is arguably the best burrito you will ever taste. Whenever we come to town, it is a must that we stop by one of their 6 Austin locations.

Cabo Bob's Burritos

The best snow cone you will ever try! Starting back in 1993, Sno-Beach is one of the original food trailers in Austin. With over 65 flavors to choose from, you are bound to find something delicious. Our personal favorite is Wedding Cake with the addition of cream.

Sno-Beach

Starting in 1952, Matt's El Rancho quickly became an Austin staple. According to the founding family, many items we now take for granted in almost any Tex-Mex restaurant, were in fact, El Rancho introductions. Among them are fresh lime juice margaritas, Mexican seafood dishes, and Bob Armstrong dip, to name a few. President Lyndon Johnson had a soft spot for Matt's famous chile rellenos and often sent a jet from Washington D.C. to pick up his El Rancho favorites.

Matt's El Rancho

In the mood for something quick? This '50s inspired classic burger stand is the perfect spot! Everything on the menu is so fresh, you would never guess it was fast food. With over 20 locations in the Austin area, you will definitely be able to find one near you no matter where you are!

P. Terry's Burger Stand

Located on South Congress Avenue, Perla’s offers fresh fish and oysters flown in daily from both coasts with an emphasis on sourcing from the Gulf of Mexico and simple, clean preparations. The bar makes delicious coastal cocktails and the wine list is stocked with fun sparkling, rosé &amp; white wines. Perla’s has Austin’s prettiest oak-shaded patio and a comfortable airy dining room featuring a huge saltwater fish tank, poured concrete oyster bar and open kitchen. Perla’s offers lunch and dinner daily, brunch Saturday and Sunday, and happy hour Tuesday through Friday.

Perla's Seafood & Oyster Bar

Serving made-from-scratch comfort food since 1980, Kerbey Lane Cafe remains locally owned and authentic to Austin to this day. Known for flippin’ pancakes and slingin’ queso, the family-owned restaurant sources ingredients from local partners and independent Texas farms. There are eight locations around Austin; all are open seven days a week starting at 7 a.m., offering breakfast all day, award winning queso, huge pancakes with a rotating menu of flavors, vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options, and a full bar menu featuring coffee, beer, wine and cocktails.

Kerbey Lane Cafe

Bars

P6 is a very special place to us. It is where we met and our adventure began :) Located on the former top deck of the LINE hotel’s parking garage, the space features panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake, the south Austin skyline and the Congress Avenue bat bridge. The design reflects the region’s culture of outdoor living with a mix of spaces including fireside seating, communal and intimate dining areas, an al fresco living room and a wrap-around outdoor terrace that takes on a deconstructed green-house vibe. The menu of shared small plates and antipasti is influenced by the cuisines of the Mediterranean and is served alongside a rotating selection of desserts and easy, refreshing cocktails.

P6 at the LINE Austin

Hunker down in one of Austin’s oldest saloons, Deep Eddy Cabaret has been Austin's neighborhood bar since 1951. Located a couple hundred yards up the hill from Austin’s legendary Deep Eddy Pool, the original beer joint prided itself on serving truly cold suds. The barroom remains dark as a dungeon, with almost no natural light inside. It’s sparingly illuminated by a network of crisscrossing strings of colorful twinkle lights, the accumulated glow from a dozen or so beer neons, light fixtures above both pool tables, and the soft blush coming from the cigarette machine and jukebox. The walls are dutifully coated with yellowed newspaper clips, faded photographs, and the de rigueur selection of street signs and vintage Longhorn football posters. If you enjoy a classic dive bar, this is the spot for you!

Deep Eddy Cabaret

50 years ago, back before the live music capital of the world was world famous, Bob Ogden, a civil engineer and real estate man, wanted a place with a piano bar where he could hang out with his buddies, listen to live music, and dance with his wife, Mary. He purchased an old train depot on the outskirts of Austin for $300. He brought in three retired railcars. He hired a Goodyear tire salesman named Donn to play the baby grand and brought them all to an address on 5th St and W. Lynn. And Donn Adelman still holds court behind that piano once a week…50 years later! It is a dance hall. It is a honky tonk. It is a piano bar… even a wedding chapel. It has been a gathering place for generations of people to celebrate live music, milestones, and leave a troubled world behind. Babies have taken their first steps here. Lives are remembered here. Donn Adelman likes to say, we are not trying to “Keep Austin Weird.” “We are keeping Austin Austin.” “If Austin is the live music capital of the world, this is the oval office,” offers one of the several resident musicians. It is a living, breathing time capsule of old values, the Great American Songbook, and a place for up and comers to test their metal, wood, and wire.

Donn's Depot

From the elegant, timeless lobby, walk up the grand staircase and enter into old-world Texas, fit for a cattle baron. Named one of the&nbsp;10 Best Hotel Bars in America&nbsp;by&nbsp;USA Today&nbsp;and&nbsp;The Best Bar in Texas&nbsp;by&nbsp;Southern Living, The Driskill Bar is, without question, as Texas as it gets for downtown Austin bars. With its rustic leather couches, cowhide barstools, cattle branded custom carpet, and the grand Texas Longhorn adorning the wall, you will have no question where you sit as you sip your whiskey cocktail. The Driskill Bar offers a relaxed atmosphere, bracing spirits, fine wines and good friendships.

The Driskill Bar

Nestled in a hundred year old building on the Eastside, Whisler’s is as quirky and unique as you would expect Austin to be. Serving expertly crafted cocktails made with only the freshest and finest ingredients. Whisler’s offers something for everyone. A spacious patio for the best shared moments. A romantic inside bar candlelit for an intimate date. The amazing speakeasy Mezcaleria Tobala (only open on the weekends). Award winning Thai food from the onsite food truck Thai Kun. Pick your poison- they've got you covered.

Whisler's

Lavaca Street Bar, the original location serving Austin's Downtown area for over 30 years! Catch all of your favorite NFL, NCAA, MLB, NBA and NHL teams on one of their 38 T.V's. Enjoy a drink from their 16 revolving tap handles. Turf N Surf Po Boy open 7 days a week inside the bar. New locations on South Lamar and in the Domain as well.

Lavaca Street Bar

In the heart of North Austin, Lala's Little Nugget has been a beacon of Christmas cheer since 1972, founded by the beloved Frances Lala. The bar's perpetual holiday decorations have long been the subject of local lore, with tales as heartwarming as they are bittersweet. Some say Lala’s husband left her on Christmas, plunging her into a sadness that only the festive decorations could alleviate. Others whisper that the bar felt too naked without the holiday trimmings, prompting her to redecorate post-holidays. The most poignant story is that of Lala's son, who went off to fight in Vietnam and never returned, leaving the decorations up as a perpetual reminder of his hoped-for return. Whether you believe in the old stories or the new, one thing is certain: the spirit of Christmas will always have a home in Austin, thanks to the enduring legacy of Frances Lala.

Kathleen & Connor

Kathleen & Connor

Registry