I love having fur babies at weddings and so glad that Kristen and Omar included their super adorable dog Penelope. She was a big part of their special day and I have to say she stole the show! Enjoy the photos and read the couple’s love story below.

Also see this beautiful wedding featured on Borrowed and Blue

How and when did you two meet?

Omar and I first met through a friend in the Summer of 2010. We were both students at the University of Texas at Austin and went to a social gathering.

What made you fall for each other?

Kristen: “As cheesy as this sounds the minute I met Omar, I knew something was really special and rare about him. I had immediate butterflies. I really fell for his kindness and genuine personality. He is not afraid to be himself and have a good time, which I truly admire since I am a little shy when I first meet people. He has this adventure and thirst for life that is contagious and is really the wind behind my sail. He really pushes me to follow my dreams and make the most of life. He can find positive in just about any situation.”

Omar: “I fell for Kristen 6 summers ago in Austin, Texas. The moment I met her I just knew there was something special about her. I knew I couldn’t let this beautiful woman pass me up so I acted upon my instincts and asked her out on a date to the movies and Trudys. And the rest was history.”

How did he propose?

Omar proposed to me at my favorite garden in Austin, The Botanical garden in Zilker Park. The place has a lot of sentimental value to me and my family since past generations of love birds in my family have walked the trails. He presented me with a dozen red roses and pictures of our favorite memories and love quotes as a couple as we walked the garden paths together. It was so much fun to relive those memories together. He got down on one knee at the beginning of the wooden bridge to signify crossing into our new life together. Tears were flowing, the cameraman was shooting and the ring was perfect!!

Describe the day

I think the best way to describe the day was “the closest to what heaven feels like” I felt like I was floating all day long. Our wedding day started promptly at 9am in the morning with hair and makeup. Karen at Ma Maison did such a great job making us feel right at home in her gorgeous venue. She provided a delicious country breakfast accompanied by mimosas and fresh juices.

The inspiration behind our wedding was to portray our love for each other in a magnificent way! We wanted something beautiful, fresh, natural, classy and portrayed our taste. The minute I walked into Ma Maison and met Karen, I knew this was the place for us! It was gorgeous, warm and inviting and had the perfect bridal suite. I could tell so much thought, love and detail was put into building this place. I loved all of the shelving and furniture that we could personally decorate ourselves. A few of my favorite details about our wedding was the personal picture of us as a couple, our family and pets that we framed and had in our grand entryway. Also, a big inspiration behind our wedding was the successful marriages our parents had, so we had to have some pictures of them on their wedding day gracing the place. They show us every day what true love looks like and that marriage is still doable nowadays! I also loved including our dog, Penelope, in our wedding day! She was with me in the bridal suite the whole time and we did our grand entrance as a couple together with her! She adored the day and all the excitement and I adored her in it J Another special touch to our wedding day that I adored, was our custom made love bench. Instead of just signing a guest book, we had our guests sign our love bench. The inspiration behind this bench was that through the years, even when we are at the end of our life, we can sit on this bench side by side and remember our special day and how loved and supported we are.

Were you happy with your wedding photos from Svetlana Photography?

I am more than happy with the photos from Svetlana Photography, every time I want to relive my wedding day I can flip through all of my photos! Svetlana did such a great job capturing every moment and detail of my wedding! She truly has a gift!

What are your day jobs/hobbies?

I am the media relations manager for a non-profit organization in San Antonio, Texas and Omar is an engineer for Halliburton.

Wedding Coordinator: Austin Wedding Planners, Rosa Gibson | Wedding Venue: Ma Maison | Ceremony: St Catherine of Siena Catholic Church | Florist: Petal Pushers | DJ: Spacecraft Entertainmen, DJ Jeff | Caterer: Royal Fig Catering | Cake: Simon Lee Bakery | Photographer: Svetlana Photography | Invitation: Minted | Hair: Erica Rae | Makeup: Laura Martinez | Lighting: Spacecraft Entertainment | Transportation/Getaway Car: Hill Country Charter | Tux: Men’s Wearhourse