The Wedding of Brianna Sofia Pena & Austin Chandler Oakes

August 20, 2022

Photography by Palacios Photography

Brianna and Austin began their relationship in 2016 and after dating for five years, Austin proposed in 2021 during a fourth of July weekend family gathering for Brianna’s birthday. Without hesitation, Brianna said “Yes!” The wedding planning quickly followed, and Brianna began to create the wedding she had dreamt as her relationship progressed with Austin throughout the years. She and her mother began to put together an incredible team of vendors and a wedding planner to help Brianna accomplish all of her wedding dreams.

While she had a planner, Brianna truly loved being heavily involved in the decor and layout process of the planning. The groom, Austin, similarly enjoyed watching his bride thrive in dreaming and creating her vision for their big day while providing exceptional moral support.

On the wedding day, the couple along with their families and wedding party got ready at the bride’s family home. The bride and her attendants had professional hair and makeup done. Each bridesmaid relaxed in soft pink robes and the bride wore an ethereal white-lace embroidered robe. With long, soft rolling waves, the bride’s natural beauty exemplified with soft and natural makeup. Adorned with a lovely hairpiece, streamlined earrings, and a delicate diamond bracelet, the bride beamed in her Sposa Mia wedding gown. The dress was embellished with lace design and appliqués while still possessing modest qualities. It was a dress that Brianna knew instantly was the one and one that her grandmother had picked out for her to try. She finished her wedding look with a beautiful pair of cream-colored Maison Valentino shoes.

The groom got dressed amongst his group of groomsmen and close family and friends at the the bride’s family home in the separate guest house/game room. Austin wore a blue to compliment his blue eyes. Enjoying the camaraderie while getting dressed, Austin and his groomsmen enjoyed playing pool and relaxing before the wedding ceremony followed. As the eldest children and the first of their respective families to become engaged, the wedding celebration was truly an emotional one for the couple.

The catholic ceremony took place at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Edinburg where the bride has attended her whole life. With such a close relationship to her mother, including during the planning process, Brianna had both of her parents walk her down the aisle. The church was adorned with beautiful roses, bougainvilleas, and hydrangeas of various pink tones and white. Austin and Brianna exchanged traditional vows and became husband and wife before their loved ones.

After the ceremony, the couple along with their party rode on a party bus to the Edinburg Scenic Wetlands for wedding party and couples portraits. This party bus ride was exceptionally fun and memorable for the couple to share with their close family and friends. The evening wedding reception that followed had a Mediterranean feel which the couple described as a mix of Spanish and Portuguese aesthetic influence. Brianna loves the bougainvillea plant with its bright pink tones. She wanted something different and unique for her wedding and derived inspiration from this beautifully unique plant. She chose to have bright pinks and royal blue as her color palette and Austin loved the color choices.

The unique color combination made the perfect backdrop for a truly magnificent wedding setup and decor at The Ballroom at the McAllen Convention Center. One which left the couple in complete awe as they shared a first look at the reception set up before the guests arrived. Brianna teared up as she walked in and was blown away by the beautiful smell of fresh floral which smelled like walking through a garden. It was during this time that the couple shared an intimate and romantic first dance alone inside the beautifully decorated venue.

Sharing a first dance to “I Swear” by John Michael Montgomery played by their live band made the reception one to remember. And to continue the fun atmosphere, Austin, a firefighter, surprised Brianna by wearing his uniform jacket during the garter toss! After the cocktail hour festivities, the couple’s parents took over the hosting roles of the wedding allowing Austin and Briana to enjoy dancing the night away.