Italian Design and Sunset Hues Set the Scene for These Brides' Outdoor Wedding

In March 2017, Natalie, right, and Jill Tarski's mutual friend group at their church brought them together for the first time, and they immediately bonded over their faith. "It has always been and continues to be an important cornerstone in our relationship," Natalie says. Three years later, on December 24, 2020, Jill, to Natalie's joyful surprise, popped the question. "We talked about the possibility of getting engaged within a year or so, but I was under the impression that it was pretty far off and had resigned to waiting a few more months," she says. "After we finished with gifts at my family's Christmas celebration, Jill pulled out a small wrapped box and said, 'We have one more.' My dad was the only one who knew it was coming!" After feeling speechless and overwhelmed with joy, she said "yes" to Jill's proposal. "To be surrounded by my family in that incredible moment meant the world to me," Natalie adds. 

When the time came to start planning their wedding, the couple had every intention of putting one main element at the forefront. "Falling in love with each other (and the sunsets) on the Amalfi Coast was a landmark moment in our relationship, and we knew we wanted to weave that theme into our wedding," Natalie says. "From a design perspective, our vision was Old-World Italian meets modern. I wanted the event to have the intimacy of an Italian dinner party, while also making use of all of the interesting spaces Villa Antonia has to offer."

Amy of Hawthorne & Poppy Events helped bring every detail to life. "One of their favorite photos together is of a sunset on the coast, so we decided to bring in sunset tones that blended both summer and fall hues," the wedding planner shares. "We settled on peach, clementine, blush, rose, lemon, amber, and olive." Natalie shares that Amy "understood our vision from our very first conversation and provided creative direction and inspiration and practical advice all the way through the process." She adds, "We literally couldn't have done it without her." On September 12, 2021, in Jonestown, Texas, Jill and Natalie exchanged vows in front of 90 of their closest friends and family members. As for their lasting advice for other couples who are planning their walk the aisle? "Focus on a few details that are important to you and make sure to spend your planning time and resources in those areas," Jill says. 

Playing into their Italian- and sunset-inspired theme, the couple incorporated a watercolor lemon motif on the invitations, and tied it all together with a peach linen ribbon and rose gold wax seal. Envelopes were also peach and featured a metallic rose gold, dusty rose, and beige envelope liner.

As they searched for a wedding venue, the couple knew they wanted one with a chapel and an intimate, unique space for a reception. "I wanted to avoid anything cookie cutter, and Villa Antonia is anything but," Natalie says of their pick. "The moment that we stepped onto the terrace overlooking the Texas Hill Country, I knew Villa Antonia was the one! It's truly one of a kind."

Jill always envisioned wearing white on the big day, and after looking into several options, she landed on an ivory suit from 9Tailors. "I wanted my outfit to still be feminine and also have a 'wow' element," she says. "The fresh flower lapel piece was the perfect addition. I drew inspiration from strong, beautiful women I had seen in suits, like Cate Blanchett." She notes that their planner, Amy of Hawthorne & Poppy Events, came up with the idea for the lapel floral, and their florist, Ida Mayes Floral Design House, brought the design to life. 

Jill and Natalie had six loved ones each by their sides on the big day. All attendants—a mix of bridesmen and bridesmaids—had their choice of suits or dresses and coordinated in complementary shades of pink and mauve.

Natalie grew up in the pageant world and wanted a wedding dress that would veer away from styles she wore during competitions—she looked for something unique and personal. "When I tried on this particular gown, something just clicked and I knew with certainty that it was perfect for me," she says of the Eva Lendel garment, which featured multiple layers of chiffon, hand-stitched lace appliqués, pearls, and subtle sequins. The V-neckline was repeated onto the back, and the A-line skirt flowed into a sweeping cathedral train tucked away by a French bustle. She completed her look with a "something borrowed" Vera Wang veil from one of her best friends growing up. "She even let me wear it ahead of her own wedding! Talk about a selfless friend," the bride shares. "I adored the way the floral detail trim complemented my dress so perfectly."

"We wanted everyone to feel comfortable with what they were wearing, so we let each person know which shade of pink they were working with and then gave them the choice to decide what type of attire felt most suitable," Natalie says of the wedding party's looks. 

The couple's nine-year-old son, Julian, was their ring bearer. "He took the job very seriously, and it was extremely special for us to have him involved in that way," Natalie says.

Live music, courtesy of Sienna String Quartet, sounded as Jill made her way to the altar during the ceremony's processional. The musicians played the first movement of Handel's "Water Music Suite (Air)," as she walked with her mother. 

Natalie walked arm-in-arm with her father down the aisle to "Canon in D."

While writing their vows felt stressful leading up the wedding (Natalie shared that she finished hers the morning of!), committing to them was the right call. "Being able to make a personal and heartfelt commitment to each other in our own words on that day is something that we will treasure forever," Natalie says.

The newlyweds had two signature cocktails: the "La Vie en Rosé," a sparkling rosé served in a coupe glass with a strawberry popsicle, and "Brides' Blackberry Bourbon," a blackberry bourbon smash (with mint instead of basil). As for their favorite passed appetizer? Strawberry basil bruschetta. 

Aside from the florals and signage, which all reflected sunset hues, Natalie, Jill, and their planning team worked in other thematic details during the cocktail hour. "We also designed custom cocktail napkins with the help of our stationer, Jordan from Pens and Needles. They featured a map of the venue with call-outs to where guests would be able to find different entertainment elements throughout the evening," Natalie says.  

The same watercolor lemons Jill created for the invitation suite were seen on the escort cards and favors at the reception.

Dinner at the reception included a fully vegetarian menu, which reflected the couple's dietary choices. They served a citrus salad, eggplant parmesan, penne pasta, seasonal grilled vegetables, and dinner rolls.

A mix of old and new elements drove the reception's details. White linen table linens were dressed with modern, minimalist place settings; the salad plates and glassware added a few vintage touches.

"Art- and architecture-inspired Ikebana floral arrangements added a soft and playful feel," Amy shares. "Tall clay vases featured Italian olive branches."

Bat City Beats played the instrumental version of "La Vie en Rose" for the newlyweds' first dance. "A few years back, Jill made me the modern-day version of a mixtape (a Spotify playlist) featuring this song," Natalie says. "From then on, it became a special song for us, always a reminder of why we love each other."

Michelle's Patisserie created the climbing citrus- and floral accented-cake. The three-tier confection had white chocolate raspberry cake, raspberry filling, and buttercream icing.

The pair hired Epic Entertainment, a typewriter poet, to create impromptu poems for wedding guests, which everyone enjoyed, they share. 

"Since our philosophy on dessert is that more is always better, we had three different options for guests to choose from: wedding cake, cannolis, and a gelato bike from Dolce Bacio with six flavors," Natalie shares. 

One of the duo's favorite moments from their big day? The surprise firework display Natalie planned for Jill. "She has a soft spot for both surprises and fireworks, so giving her that gift at the end of the evening was truly magical," she says. 

Photography, Tailor James Photography
Venue, Villa Antonia
Wedding Planning and Event Design, Amy at Hawthorne & Poppy Events 
Videography, David Lu Films
Flowers, Ida Mayes Floral Design House
Invitations and Paper Products, Rosey & Co
Officiant, Ceremonies for Life
Natalie's Attire, Eva Lendel; Jimmy Choo shoes
Jill's Attire, 9Tailors; The Frye Company shoes
Hair and Makeup, Luna Beauty and Bridal
Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands, Bostonian Jewelers
Ceremony Music, Sienna String Quartet
Reception Music, Bat City Beats
Catering, Sterling Events
Cake, Michelle's Patisserie
Rentals, Loot Rentals; Table Manners; Premiere Events
Transportation, Blacklane
Lighting, Bat City Beats
Spray Tans, Glo Girl
Gelato Bike, Dolce Bacio
Day-of Signage, Pens and Needles
Typewriter Poet, Epic Entertainment
Save-the-Dates and Custom Venue Illustration, Adoration Design