Melissa and Scott Austin have been in each other’s lives for nearly 10 years — though they didn’t know it at first. The newlyweds crossed paths unknowingly for six years.
Both were living in Austin at the time, and while they had mutual friends, frequented the same bars, and attended many of the same University of Texas football games, they didn’t meet until 2014 when a friend introduced them in a Dallas bar.
Following respective moves to Big D, Scott and Melissa joined the same kickball league. Eventually, the stars aligned and they met at a weekly post-game get-together on Greenville Avenue.
“A mutual friend casually introduced me to Scott,” remembers Melissa. “And the rest is history. Who knew Stan’s Blue Note would be the spot?”
Two years later, on an otherwise ordinary Friday night, Scott popped the question in the couple’s Dallas home. He’d picked up the ring just 27 hours prior, and it was burning a hole in his pocket. Frank Sinatra playing in the background, wine in their glasses and steaks on the grill, Scott and Melissa got engaged right there in their kitchen, the proverbial “heart of the home."
“It was just the two of us,” says Melissa. “No cameras, no people, no frills.” It was perfect.
As for the wedding, Melissa always dreamed of a fall affair, so the couple set the date for October 20, 2017. An Ohio native, Melissa has a sentimental attachment to the fall season, and sought to evoke its feel throughout the ceremony and reception.
But when she saw a photo in a magazine, her “whole vision changed.”
“I decided to go with an industrial romance feel,” she says. “I opted for neutral colors highlighted with greenery and hanging, industrial lights.”
Following a ceremony at St. Jude Chapel, guests migrated to Hickory Street Annex, the very definition of industrial romance, for a reception featuring servings of Texas barbecue — Scott is a chef at Slow Bone BBQ — and thoughtful sentiments, courtesy of the bride and groom.
Melissa taught herself how to hand letter so she could personalize the day by calligraphing marble coasters that pulled double duty a place cards and party favors — and guests took notice of the gesture.
“We got so many compliments on how personal it was,” says Melissa.
It was just one detail in a day filled with special moments.
Most memorable of all, says Melissa, was when she walked down the aisle.
"We didn't have a first look, so seeing each other at the ceremony was the best part of the day," she says. "We knew we were making the best decision."
Cake: Crumb & Kettle
Floral: Amanda Page, Zephyr Floral
Hair and makeup: The Styling Stewardess
Ceremony: St. Jude Chapel
Reception: Hickory Street Annex
Food: The Slow Bone
Caterer: Cohost
Photography: Meggie Taylor
Coordinator: Elisabeth Landry, Silver Linings Events + Co
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Melissa and Scott Austin were married October 20, 2017.
Ice skaters showed off their moves in the "Central Park" rink.Photo by Ashley Gongora
The Kilgore Rangerettes channeled the Radio City Rockettes.Photo by Ashley Gongora
Dessert included a cake that looked like a blue Tiffany box.Photo by Michael Merry