Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Wedding Day

Wedding

Reception

Our Wedding

Sara and Erik met on the interwebs, on a dating app called Tinder. Outside of a few photos, Sara's online profile was blank making it incredibly difficult for Erik to start conversing. But, he thought she was a babe and sent her a message anyway. A few days later, they discovered they had a lot in common and began coordinating a day to meet up for a bite.Erik uttered a sigh of relief when he met Sara in person, as he could see clear over her head - even in her heels.Their first date was at Phara's in the North Loop area of town. It involved Mediterranean food, belly-dancing and probably too many cocktails for a Wednesday. Sara had been touring a local brewery earlier that day, and Erik thought that was pretty cool. Sara thought Erik was pretty cool. They discussed their passion for travel, shared enjoyment of activities involving community impact and volunteerism, appreciation for live music and how much they loved exploring new cuisine. And the rest is history!

How They Met

Our Story

Details

Photos

Kiersten and Sara became friends Sophomore year of high school, where they initially bonded over a mutual desire to sneak off campus for lunch. From  travel to spin class, to wine tasting to fine dining, they still share many similar hobbies 15 years later. Kiersten resides in Austin, TX and works in finance.

Kiersten Saathoff

Drew and Erik were randomly paired as roommates freshman year of college. They have been close friends ever since. Both Drew and Erik pledged the same fraternity, Sigma Chi. After several years apart, Drew decided to move his family to Austin to be closer to Erik. Drew, his wife, Lyndsey, and son, Kevin, now live in Round Rock, TX.

Drew Rariden

Alex and Erik met at Union College where they quickly bonded over a love of tasty craft beer, New England sports and Super Smash Brothers. Alex lives in Easton, CT where he works at his family business, Amodex, taking full advantage of his degree in History. Erik and Alex both pledged Sigma Chi.

Alex Dacey

Lauren and Sara became fast friends when they pledged the same sorority at Texas A&amp;M. Some even referred to Lauren, Sara and Jessica as "the three musketeers"! Fallon, Sara, Lauren and Jessica were roommates at the ZTA house sophomore year and took full advantage of their similar size and shared closet. Lauren and her husband Bobby reside in Dallas, TX where she works as a dentist. 

Lauren Lewellen

Laura and Sara became next door neighbors and best friends during elementary school. They shared a love for building forts in the greenbelt, playing sports and "accidentally" wearing matching clothing to school. Laura, her husband Robby and kiddos Avery and Bryan reside in Waco, TX where she works at the Veterans Affairs. 

Laura Mullens

Doug and Erik met freshman year at Union College where they bonded over their mutual love of live music, travel and movies. His hobbies include golf, skiing, smoking Erik's cigars and putting objects in places that Erik can't reach. Doug works as a physician in Washington, D.C.

Doug Wald

Jessica and Sara became fast friends when they pledged the same sorority at Texas A&amp;M. Some even referred to Jessica, Sara and Lauren as "the three musketeers"! Fallon, Sara, Lauren and Jessica were roommates at the ZTA house sophomore year and took full advantage of their similar size and shared closet. Jessica and her husband Patrick reside in Dallas, TX where she is a lawyer.

Jessica Dunne

Everett and Erik met through mutual friends seven years ago. Everett and Erik are both Yelp Elites and self-confessed food snobs who enjoy cars, golf and good whiskey. Everett lives in Lakeway, TX with his wife, Liza, and pup, Izzy.

Everett Teach

Fallon and Sara became fast friends when they pledged the same sorority at Texas A&amp;M. Fallon, Sara, Lauren and Jessica were roommates at the ZTA house sophomore year and took full advantage of their similar size and shared closet. Fallon, her husband Chase, and little boys Ridley and Cannon reside in Bowie, TX where she is a nurse. 

Fallon Richey

Peter and Erik were roommates at the fraternity house their senior year at Union College. Peter and Erik bonded over politics, a love of the outdoors and Halo. In his spare time Peter likes to go to the beach, kayak and model speedos. Peter works in finance lives in Newport Beach, CA with his boyfriend, Stephen.

Peter Farmer

Todd and Erik grew up only a few miles from each other in Massachusetts, but never met until freshman year of college. Todd and Erik both went on to pledge Sigma Chi. Todd and Erik love tech and business. Todd works as a software engineer at Uber's headquarters in San Francisco, CA. 

Todd Sifleet

Suzanne and Sara met at Rice where they attended graduate school for business and took two years off of working and the "real world". After graduating they became roommates and further bonded over their love for kale chips, spin class, sparkling rosé, travel and consulting. Suzanne and her husband Kyle live in Houston, TX where she works as a consultant. 

Suzanne Revere

Willy and Sara met when she started dating Erik. It is no secret that Sara and Willy have a special bond. He is an 8-year-old rescue Brussels Griffon who loves tummy rubs, treats, naps, chasing lizards and barking at animals on the television. 

Willy Wagner

Albert and Erik became best buds when Erik adopted him back in the day. Albert is 18 lbs, has lush, blonde hair and enjoys stealing Willy's food and going on very short walks. He loves hugs, ear scratches and treats. 

Albert Wagner

Wedding Party

Q + A

Registry

$209/night. This hotel is located just off of MLK, right on UT's campus. This nicely appointed hotel was recently renovated and is a short Uber ride from downtown.To book, click here: <a href="https://aws.passkey.com/e/49228755" target="_blank" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&amp;q=https://aws.passkey.com/e/49228755&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1497380151105000&amp;usg=AFQjCNE68UCfd1henojEiKJN2LtdCd6IkA">https://aws.passkey.com/e/49228755</a>Note: Due to the number of festivals and events in Austin, we recommend booking your hotel stay early.

AT&T Executive Education & Conference Center, University Avenue, Austin, TX, United States

The day of the wedding&nbsp;we will be providing bus transportation from either the AT&T&nbsp;Executive Education and Conference Center and the Hyatt House downtown.

 A bus will leave the AT&T&nbsp;Executive Education Conference Center at 5:15pm and a second bus will leave the Hyatt House at 5:15PM to arrive at approximately 6pm at the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center. Each bus can hold 52 guests, so please plan accordingly.

 





Flights to Austin, Texas can get very expensive. There are a number of events going on the weekend of the wedding including MotoGP, Bob Marley Fest&nbsp;and Moontower Comedy Festival. To lock in the best rate, please book your flight and hotel early.

Austin, TX, United States

You likely will not need to rent a car. Austin is easy to get around between Uber, Lyft, RideAustin and Fasten. Keep in mind that Austin's public transportation is not great though, so you may wish to rent a car if you would like to explore Austin.

Budget Car Rental

$209/night. This hotel is located a few blocks from "dirty sixth." This newly constructed hotel has 20 rooms reserved for our wedding. To book, call the Hyatt House and mention the "Wagner wedding."Note: Due to the number of festivals and events in Austin, we recommend booking your hotel stay early.

Hyatt House Austin Downtown

Hotels can get expensive in Austin. If you're unable to get on a hotel block, consider an AirBnB. We love east Austin because of the proximity to nightlife and amazing restaurants, but the South Austin area is also a lot of fun. Zip codes to target: 78702, 78704, 78705, 78701Note: Due to the number of festivals and events in Austin, we recommend booking your AirBnB stay early.

AirBnB

Travel

Create your own customized route on this private limousine tour of wineries in the Austin area. Ride in style as you depart the capital of Texas and explore the vineyards located on the outskirts of the city. Taste a variety of local wines and feel free to purchase a bottle or two of your favorites.The day starts off with your luxurious limousine pulling up to your hotel to transport you in comfort to whichever wineries you choose. You may start at the Driftwood Estate Winery, which is known for delicious wines like the Viognier, which features hints of orange blossoms and spiced aromas. Here, you can take in the view from a majestic portico that overlooks the Driftwood Vineyards below.If you are looking for a more intimate experience, stop at Texas Hills Vineyard near Johnson City, located in the gentle hills of the picturesque Pedernales River Valley. Learn about this winery's environmentally friendly approach to growing grapes, as they use the least amount of chemicals allowed by Texas law.Hye, TX is just beyond Johnson City and is home to our three favorite wineries in the region: Kuhlman Family Vineyards, Hye Meadow and William Chris. Visit just a couple of wineries and spend hours at each location, or stop briefly at a multitude of vineyards for a short amount of time. The wine itinerary is yours to construct, both in terms of where you go and what you taste.

Private Limousine Tour of Texas Hill Country Wineries

Paddle through the waters of Lady Bird Lake, scoping out views of downtown Austin's skyline, visiting quiet islands, and cruising past parks that line this sealed section of the Colorado River. Along the way, explore secluded beaches perfect for a refreshing swim and snap photos of native wildlife.
Pick up your kayak on the shores of Lady Bird Lake, a manmade reservoir that helps supply Austin with drinking water and prevent flooding of the Colorado River. Get fitted for a paddle, life jacket, and a kayak as experienced rental staff chat about proper paddling technique and offer tips on different places you can check out.
Enjoy the freedom to explore Lady Bird Lake at your leisure. You might drift to the quiet shores of Snake Island, whose name thankfully has little to do with its character, check out Barton Springs Pool, or look for Mexican free-tailed bats under the Congress Avenue Bridge. At the end of your rental time, point your bow back to the tour office and wrap up your paddling adventure.

Kayak Rental at Lady Bird Lake

If you like beer, this tour of Austin's newest microbreweries is the perfect introduction to the tastes of Texas' capital city. Get to know the impressive and still-growing scene that's nurtured the beers of East Austin, tour the facilities, and sample 3 of their newest concoctions.
A pedicab whisks you away from your hotel to start your tour with a unique way to see the city. Chat with your driver and enjoy the breezy, emission-free ride as you cruise through a diverse and eclectic neighborhood that is a thriving center of arts and great taste.
Begin with Zilker Brewing Company, a taproom that uses American Belgo-style brews to create a delicate and complex taste. Next, head to Hops and Grain, which combines sustainable brewing with Old World techniques and a dash of unique variety. Finish up at Blue Owl Brewing, with some sour mashed beers to leave you ready to choose your next great Austin experience.

Pedicab Brewery Tour of East Austin

Bike through Austin's beautiful downtown as you explore the past, present, and future of the city's public art spaces and learn more about the many styles of architecture on display. Learn to recognize Austin's spirit of creation as history comes to life through the lens of art and architecture.
Climb aboard a high-quality bicycle and embark on a tour covering over 130 years of Austin history. Discover the city's hidden jewels as knowledgeable guides lead on an exciting cycling adventure to unexpected places rich with creativity and design prowess.
Get a sense for the vibe of the city while your bicycle helps you to get closer to the real Austin, discovering a variety of murals and street art. Modern, eclectic, and nostalgic styles come to life as you cruise in style in comfort, learning what distinguishes this city in the heart of Texas.

Art & Architecture Bike Tour

On this immersive tour through the eclectic capital of Texas, drive down funky neighborhood streets, learn about the city's diverse music history, and enjoy savory bites of barbecue. Wander into the vibrant shops that line South Congress and Sixth Street and tour the renowned Driskill Hotel.
After being picked up at your hotel, head to the South Congress neighborhood, which lies just outside of downtown. Here you can check out trendy shops, innovative art venues, and an abundance of tasty food trucks. Listen as your guide tells stories about legends like Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan, who helped shaped Austin’s claim as the Live Music Capital of the World at nearby music venues and pick up a little local history as you pass the Texas State Cemetery.
Stroll the grounds at the state capitol, whose massive size really bolsters the claim that everything's bigger in Texas and then make your way around the building, taking in the impressive sight of the sandstone-colored dome, which rivals the nation's capitol. Head to a nearby barbecue establishment to learn the saucy secret to creating great smoky flavor from the pitmaster himself, and get the chance to taste delicious barbecue specialties. Explore Sixth Street as you view the opulent façade of the Driskill Hotel and discover how this architectural marvel was constructed before ending your tour with a hands-on demonstration of the crafting of Austin’s original cocktail, the Mexican Martini.

Capital City Tour with Barbecue Tastings

MotoGP will be held on the weekend of&nbsp;April 21, 2018.

Circuit of the Americas

Moontower Comedy Festival is going to be held the same weekend as our wedding.