This colorful wedding at Hummingbird House was quirky, whimsical, and absolutely unforgettable.
When Kayla first reached out about her wedding photography, she said she was drawn to my work because it fit her dream wedding aesthetic: Iconic, classic, and artsy. She wanted fun pictures that “look like what it feels like to receive a birthday present” and felt confident I could bring that vision to fruition.
I kept those ideas in mind as I prepared to document her wedding day, and I think you can see it in the final photos. We had so much making art together throughout the wedding day.
I couldn’t have dreamed up a more perfect day for them if I tried. It was 70 degrees and sunny outside. They hired a killer vendor team that really understood their vision. They got to eat delicious Texas bbq, catered by the iconic H-E-B. And of course, the highlight was that all of their friends and family gathered to celebrate their love.
Hummingbird House was the perfect backdrop for this colorful wedding
Hummingbird House is one of my favorite wedding venues in Austin. It is the perfect space for both intimate and larger affairs. Owned by horticultural expert Tom Tinguely (owner of the Great Outdoors plant nursery on South Congress), the venue is full of lush greens, blooming tropical flowers and large palms. All of the greenery and bright florals aligned perfectly with the couple’s vision for a colorful celebration.
A wedding at Hummingbird House also means the couple also hired the venue’s in-house planner Danny, who is always a treat to work with. I always look forward to working weddings with Danny because he goes above and beyond for every couple, and is an incredibly kind collaborator. Whenever I post about Hummingbird House online, the comments section is always full of people singing Danny’s praises.
Monarch Florals brought their whimsical dreams to life
“Quirky” was the word that kept coming up within the vendor team throughout the day when discussing the couple’s goals for their event design. Monarch Florals definitely nailed the assignment. The florals and reception design was described as”grapefruit vibes” and featured a bold palette of terracotta, salmon, mustard, and paprika colors. The tablescapes included actual fruits and veggies like peppers and oranges, along with exotic flowers like Amaranthus and Anthuriums. Kayla’s bouquet is one of the prettiest and most unique I’ve ever seen.
Hype Rhythm brought Saturday night energy to a Thursday wedding
Originally, Kayla and Marcus where actually on the fence about full day wedding coverage and having their photo team stay through the end of the night. This is a common question that comes up when I’m putting together custom packages for couples. They’ve been told by someone that they “only really need an hour of open dancing photos” by some well-meaning vendor or family friend. I highly disagree with this mentality! Your reception is half your wedding day and is just as important as the rest of the day.
I am so glad Kayla and Marcus decided on a full day of coverage because their gallery just wouldn’t have been complete without reception photos. Hype Rhythm brought Saturday night energy to a Thursday wedding, and literally brought me to tears by the end of the night because the dance floor was that cathartic. The dance floor stayed packed until the end thanks to the DJ’s creative ways they kept the crowd engaged, like having live musicians that occasionally roamed the dance floor, throwing personalized T-shirts, and bringing up the couple to the DJ booth.
About Tess Leslie Photography
I’m Tess, a wedding photographer with over 10 years of experience documenting celebrations that feel personal, creative, and authentic to the couple. I photograph on both digital and 35mm film.
My approach is relaxed and inspired by my past career as a photojournalist. I love to capture the real moments that make each wedding unique. Whether it’s a quirky and colorful wedding at Hummingbird House or something completely different, my goal is to tell the story of the day as it naturally unfolds. Inquire today to see if I’m available for your wedding date.
Vendor Team
Venue | Hummingbird House
Photographer | Tess Leslie Photography
Florals | Monarch Florals
Rentals | Monarch Event Rentals
Dress Purchased at Wildflower Bridal Studio
Catering | True Texas BBQ
Entertainment | Hype Rhythm
