A Stylish Black-Tie Wedding at South Congress Hotel in Austin

Mary (she/her) and Claire’s (she/her) wedding was everything you’d expect from two people who know how to throw a damn good party. Picture this: a sleek black-tie vibe, rainbow flags, custom scents, Manolos, and a surprise drag performance to top it all off. Their celebration at South Congress Hotel wasn’t just about saying “I do” – it was about showing up for their community, being deeply and unapologetically themselves, and having the time of their lives.

Why did you choose South Congress Hotel as your wedding venue?

We knew we wanted to get married in Austin, where we met. South Congress Hotel had everything, an outdoor space for the ceremony, indoor space for the reception, great food and cocktails from Cafe No Se, and that effortlessly cool Austin energy. It’s a boutique hotel with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic right in the heart of South Congress. It just felt like us.

Tell us about your wedding vibe. What inspired the styling?

Our theme was “pops of elevated pride against a sleek backdrop.” We asked our guests to wear black, and the vibe was black-tie optional. Claire handled the visual side, think florals from Say It With Flowers, table settings, and stationery. 

I focused on mood and music, including live ceremony music from Terra Vista Strings. 

We really wanted the day to be intentional, surprising, and full of love. No cookie-cutter wedding energy. It was our way of thanking our people for showing up for us.

How did you approach your outfits?

We each had our own vision, but we tied it together with shared accessories. I wore a custom navy velvet tuxedo from Bindle & Keep with Manolo Blahniks, a monogrammed shirt, and a bottle of our wedding scent from Le Labo. 

Claire wore a strapless Mikado silk gown from Pronovias with a pearl-detailed cathedral veil and her own pair of Manolos. Her dress even transformed into a second look for dancing. 

We both wanted to feel like the best versions of ourselves – strong, elegant, and totally us.

What was your ceremony like? Did you follow tradition?

We opted for a non-traditional ceremony that felt authentic. Claire’s brother Charlie officiated. I walked in first with my parents while Terra Vista Strings played “People” from Funny Girl. Claire walked down the aisle with her parents to “Latch” by Sam Smith, also played live. We wrote our own vows, and at the end of the ceremony, I surprised Claire with an a cappella performance of “Teenage Dream” by the Austonettes. Our guests waved rainbow flags as we exited. We loved that.

Any standout vendors you want to shout out?

We were lucky with all our vendors, but a few went above and beyond. Nicolet from Westcott Weddings was our planner and the true MVP. Stephanie Rogers Photography gave us photos that felt like art. The team from LUX Beauty & Bridal nailed our looks, and our DJ from Infinity Sound Lab had the entire room hyped. Our drag performers from Extragrams absolutely brought the house down.

Let’s talk about the party – it looked incredible.

Oh, it was wild in the best way. After dinner and toasts, we had first dances — including one to “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves, performed live by my parents. Then we surprised everyone with a drag show featuring Ritzy Bitz and Celia Light via Extragrams. That kicked things into high gear. 

A live saxophonist from Moontower Entertainment and a violinist joined later in the night, and we even arranged buses to take everyone to Rain on 4th, our favorite gay bar, for an after-party. 

The vibes were immaculate.

Any challenges you navigated along the way?

Planning a wedding while working 80-hour weeks (me) and multiple nursing jobs (Claire) was a lot. Budgeting was tricky too, but our planner helped keep us grounded. We used a spreadsheet to track everything, and it helped us stay focused on what mattered most.

What advice would you give other LGBTQ+ couples planning a wedding?

Surround yourselves with vendors who get it. We made a point to work with LGBTQ+ folks and allies who actively celebrate queer love. Don’t be afraid to ditch traditions that don’t feel right. Focus on what feels good for you. 

And if you can, build in moments to just be together. That breakfast we shared the morning of the wedding – just the two of us – was one of our favourite memories.

Photography by Stephanie Rogers Photography

Cake Maker Cafe No Se
Caterer Cafe No Se
DJ Infinity Sound Lab
Drag Queens Extragrams
Dress Boutique Pronovias
Florist Say It With Flowers
Hair & Makeup Lux Beauty & Bridal
Live Music Austonettes, Moontower Entertainment & Terra Vista Strings
Photobooth D&J’s Margaritas, Music & More
Rings Cynthia Britt Custom Jewelry
Suit Bindle & Keep
Venue South Congress Hotel
Videographer Double Knot Videography
Wedding Planner Westcott Weddings