Some wedding days just feel good. Janine and Drew’s celebration at The Allan House was one of those. Their wedding was full of joy, intention, and the kind of love that shines through every single photo. It reflected who they are: laid-back, deeply connected, and full of heart. And with a courtyard coffee shop theme guiding the design, the day was just as stylish as it was meaningful.
I’m Sydney Meyer, founder of In Ink Weddings. As an Austin wedding planner, I help couples feel at ease while creating a day that feels like them. For Janine and Drew, I provided event management and design lite support to help refine their vision. I coordinated their vendor team and made sure everything flowed smoothly. That way, they could stay fully present and soak in every moment.
In this post, I’m sharing the moments that brought their day to life, from their first look to the courtyard celebration. If you’re dreaming of a wedding at The Allan House, or looking for inspiration that balances personality and polish, you’re in the right place.
Bringing the Vision to Life at The Allen House
From the start, Janine and Drew had a clear vision: warm, relaxed, and welcoming, like their favorite courtyard coffee shop. With event management and design-lite support, my role was to make sure that vision came through in every detail.
What was the inspiration for your wedding day?
We hadn’t been to many weddings and didn’t have a Pinterest board that gave us a vision. Instead, we picked a few adjectives that represented how we wanted the day and weekend to feel: cozy, comfortable, courtyard, and cultural…and the phrase “understated elegance.” This mantra of sorts guided our decision-making process from venue to dress to officiant to tablescape to catering to miscellaneous other events.
While they got ready, I was at The Allan House checking details, connecting with vendors, and walking the space. From candlelight to cozy lounge areas, I brought their courtyard coffee shop vision to life, without them ever needing to worry about a thing.
We partnered with an incredible team of Austin vendors who truly understood the assignment for this wedding. Soft florals and thoughtful rentals created a space that felt both effortlessly curated and deeply personal.
The Vendor Team:
- Photo: @adam_kealing
- Video: @witteidea
- Venue: @theallanhouse
- Florist: @forsythiaflorals
- Musician: @joshklausmusic
- Rentals: @premiereeventstx
- Draping: @uniquedesignandevents
- Beauty: @makenzilaine
As an Austin wedding planner, I believe good design doesn’t have to mean over-the-top. It just needs to feel right for you. Janine and Drew’s wedding at The Allan House shows how good design and coordination can transform a space and your experience.
Still choosing your venue or vendor team? You might love my guide on how to find Austin wedding vendors who really get your style.
Why did you choose your wedding venue?
We chose Austin because Drew’s family lives there, but everyone else was going to be coming in from out of town. To make it easy for our guests, we wanted to have a venue that was close to where we presumed they’d be staying downtown. Allan House stood out to us for its historic, beautiful space right downtown. Plus, we wanted to get married in a setting with nature – but also downtown and also during the winter. Allan House won us over with its gorgeous, clear winterized tent with a tree running through it.
A Ceremony Full of Heart at The Allan House
Janine and Drew’s ceremony at The Allan House was one of the most emotionally charged parts of the day. The courtyard felt like a hidden oasis in the heart of Austin, quiet, warm, and completely theirs. As guests arrived, soft music set the tone while sunlight filtered through the trees above.
Janine and Drew chose to do a private first look before the ceremony. It gave them a chance to connect, soak it all in, and ease into the day together. You could see the love between them, and the calm that followed made everything that came next feel even more meaningful.
From where I stood behind the scenes, I could see everything come together. Chairs were set, florals were placed with care, and the mood was just right. One of my favorite parts of event management is helping couples create space for presence. Janine and Drew didn’t have to worry about a thing. They simply got to soak it all in.
The ceremony itself was meaningful and full of emotion. Every word spoken felt personal. Every look exchanged carried weight. As an Austin wedding planner, I’ve seen many ceremonies, but this one was a reminder of why I do what I do.
Looking for ways to make your ceremony feel just as personal? Check out my post about Unique Wedding Ceremony Ideas That Actually Feel Like You.
What were some meaningful touches you incorporated into your wedding and why?
We had a Jewish wedding, and sentimental family objects played a big role. Janine’s grandfather’s tallis covered the top of the chuppah. Her other grandfather’s tallis was used to wrap us for the blessing. And perhaps the greatest labor of love: Drew’s grandfather built and stained our chuppah. It was a multi-month project and meant so much to us. He also built several model chuppahs, one of which was on display on our welcome table along with the cake topper from Janine’s maternal grandparents’ wedding.
A Joyful Reception
As the sun set over The Allan House, the courtyard transformed into a glowing, joy-filled celebration. Twinkle lights came alive overhead, candles flickered on the tables, and guests settled in for a night of connection, laughter, and great music.
The reception started with heartfelt speeches from close friends and family—each one filled with personal stories and so much love. You could tell how deeply Janine and Drew are cherished. Every toast felt like a love letter to their relationship, and there wasn’t a dry eye in sight.
After dinner, the energy shifted in the best way. The dance floor opened with the Hora, and it was electric. There’s nothing quite like the joy and movement of that moment to set the tone for the rest of the night.
From there, the party didn’t let up. Guests filled the dance floor, champagne flowed, and the entire night had that kind of effortless joy you can’t fake. And the best part? Janine and Drew didn’t have to lift a finger. I was there managing the timeline, checking in with vendors, and making sure everything stayed on track.
Whether you’re planning a cozy courtyard wedding or something totally your own, The Allan House is a beautiful blank canvas. With the right team (hi, that’s me!), it becomes a space where real joy shines.
What other meaningful touches did you incorporate into your wedding day?
For our tablescape, we had table numbers with pictures of us from places we had traveled to or lived together, along with a short caption. We also had a crossword “Janine and Drew Say I Do” that was set out for tables to work together on solving. Finally, we had personalized notes for each single guest or couple thanking them for being there. That probably stood out to our guests the most – many of them thanked us for that specifically.
Working With In Ink for Seamless Support
From the very beginning, Janine and Drew had a beautiful vision for their wedding at The Allan House. However, like most couples, they didn’t want to spend their day answering vendor questions or checking the clock. That’s where I came in.
As their event manager, I stepped in during the final stretch to tie everything together. They had already made thoughtful decisions, so my role was to support those choices and make sure every detail came to life exactly as planned. With design lite added to their package, I was also able to provide guidance on layout, decor flow, and finishing touches that elevated the overall experience.
Throughout the process, communication was key. I coordinated with vendors, refined the timeline, and helped troubleshoot behind the scenes so that Janine and Drew didn’t have to. On the day of the wedding, I was the point person for everything from welcoming vendors, making layout adjustments and keeping the day moving seamlessly.
Here are just a few ways I helped support their day:
- Finalized the timeline and shared it with the entire vendor team
- Provided guidance on decor setup and lounge layout
- Checked in with vendors and managed arrivals
- Handled small issues quietly behind the scenes
- Made sure the couple never had to worry about a thing
Most importantly, I was there to protect their peace. They got to enjoy their people, soak up every moment, and be fully present. Meanwhile, I was quietly making sure candles stayed lit, chairs were in place, and the dance floor was ready for an unforgettable night.
In short, In Ink Weddings is about more than just logistics. It’s about creating the space for you to feel like yourself on your biggest day. When you’re supported, you can show up with joy, and that’s exactly what Janine and Drew did.
Final Thoughts
Janine and Drew’s wedding at The Allan House was one of those celebrations that stays with you. It was joyful and emotional, beautifully designed yet totally relaxed. As their planner, it was an honor to support them in bringing that vision to life.
From heartfelt vows and a glowing ceremony to cozy details and a packed dance floor, every moment felt like a true reflection of who they are. And that’s what I love most about what I do. I love helping couples craft a day that doesn’t just look beautiful, but feels deeply personal.
If you’re planning a wedding at The Allan House or dreaming of a celebration that’s full of warmth, personality, and connection, I’d love to help you create it! Whether you need full planning or just someone to step in and tie it all together, I’m here to make sure you get to truly enjoy your day.
Ready to bring your vision to life without the stress? Let’s talk! Reach out here to start planning, and don’t forget to follow along on Instagram for more inspiration!
