Alyse & Kyle’s Fun-Filled, Elegant Downtown Wedding in Austin, Texas | Rachael Hall Photography

This. Couple. I think I’m beginning to see a pattern: I get the best couples in the world, seriously! Alyse and Kyle’s engagement session was back in April–oh yes! rainy April. We literally ran to do their portraits within an hour of their flight landing from Chicago. You’d think that Fate would feel a little sympathy and bless us with sunny weather for their November wedding. And you would be wrong. 2015 will go down in history as the rainiest year for weddings in Austin (ask any photographer). Yet again, Alyse and Kyle were simply splendid: we rearranged the order of portraits immediately after the ceremony as Kyle really wanted to be a traditional groom and see his beloved for the first time as she floated down the aisle. As always, I give my professional opinion and lay out the pros and cons, but in the end it is the couple’s decision. I happily abide by what they want! But far from being inflexible, these guys were the bomb-dot-com. They agreed to slip out of the chapel and flee from their guests for the last waning minutes of daylight for some mind-blowing portraits at the stunning Gothic Revival-influenced main building for which St. Ed’s is so famous.

Alyse and Kyle were married at St. Edward’s University Queen of Peace Chapel. They met at St. Edward’s, Kyle proposed to Alyse at St. Edward’s, and it made sense to get married there. His father had made him promise that when he was ready to propose, to do so on campus. And so he did. =) They kept the wedding party tiny, only his brother and her fraternal twin sister as attendants. Despite the cold drizzle outside, we got stunning portraits of them both. The InterContinental Hotel is fabulous for portraits, rain or shine.

Their party was one to remember: from their good friend who serenaded them for their first dance, to an unforgettable father-daughter number which got everybody on their feet, the Spazmatics band did an awesome job spinning top hits from the 80’s all night. Kyle’s groom’s cake was so cool–he loves running, so the baker did a terrific job replicating his favorite running shoes (we nearly touched them to see if they were really cake!). Kyle’s last name is Green so that was their wedding theme. Beautiful, clean whites, soft golds and lots and lots of green. Guests found their seats from their personalized placards set in miniature succulents. Alyse and Kyle rented out the entire reception area of the iconic InterContinental Stephen F. Austin Hotel, a place dear to their hearts. Kyle once worked there as a valet during his college years. As Alyse’s father toasted them, he remarked how nothing would suffice for their wedding than the nearly 100-year-old hotel with its old-world class and style.

I hope you enjoy seeing these images as much as I did taking them. A tremendous thank you to the super-talented Breanna McKendrick for being my second photographer!Could this suite BE any more gorgeous?!Sometimes I’ll give a little direction to inspire some truly candid emotion. This was such a pretty, clean room full of light. I suggested Mom sit with her on the bed and take a minute to let it all sink in. It was such a sweet moment!Alyse reading Kyle’s love note to her.Alyse you’re killing me, for real. I was in love with her delicate leaf-patterned circlet.Breanna left earlier to catch their vintage car arrive at Our Queen of Peace Chapel on campus.You’d never know the light was pretty much gone; but we quickly set up a few poses for some unforgettable memories.I couldn’t resist a couple of images with the car! Agh, that car!Guests signed individual paper leaves and tags with well wishes and marital advice!This is where Alyse and Dad literally stole the show. Everyone was freaking out.My favorite image of the night:Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Green!