In January 2011, Amanda
Hilliary Baxter had recently graduated from Loyola Law School and begun practicing law in New Orleans, where she had lived since ’06. New Orleans native Ryan Reece Berger had recently graduated from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and lived in New York City. One weekend, Ryan came to town to visit his newborn niece and future flower girl, Ande Elizabeth Tiller. While in town, Ryan took in some live music at Le Bon Temps with friends, while Amanda did the same (though they shared many mutual friends, they had never officially met). They met, instantly hit it off and began dating soon after.
On a cold and drizzly morning in November 2013, the couple set out for a hiking trip to the Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin, Texas – where each had since moved – with their dog, Bananas Foster. Due to the miserable weather, they had the trail nearly entirely to themselves. After a brief hike, they stopped at one of their favorite spots to play fetch. While Amanda threw with Foster, Ryan took a knee, revealed the ring and asked her to marry him. They celebrated her answer that evening with friends over champagne and appetizers at their favorite neighborhood restaurant, Cipollina.
Following the wedding, Amanda and Ryan spent two weeks in Tanzania before returning to Austin, where they both work in commercial real estate.
Bride: Amanda Hilliary Baxter
Groom: Ryan Reece Berger
Bride’s Parents: Elaine Hollerung and John David Baxter; Jane Quackenbush and Alfred Leon Conkin
Bride’s Grandparents: Mrs. Ruth Quackenbush Acree and Mrs. Jean Shine Salva
Groom’s Parents: Louellen Aden and Darryl David Berger
Rehearsal Dinner Location: Antoine’s Restaurant
Date of Wedding: November 15, 2014
Ceremony Location: Saint Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church
Reception Location: Omni Royal Orleans Hotel
Coordinator: Michele Caswell-Adams
Celebrant: Reverend Doctor Donald Frampton
Ceremony Music: Patti Adams, flute; Judith Fitzpatrick, violin; Karen Sanno, violin; Karen Ray, cello; and Steven Blair Blackmon, organ
Wedding Gown: Anna Maier ~ Ulla-Maija, Warren Barron, Dallas
Maid of Honor: Lauren Nicole McBride
Bridesmaids: Kathryn Perry Adams, Ashley Schuetze Baxter, Mary Nell Bennett, Sidney Elizabeth Bennett, Corinne Quayle Berger, Daphne Johnson Berger, Rebecca Lyne Chambliss, Elizabeth Moorhead Milam, Catherine Seymour Quackenbush, Allison Berger Tiller and Megan Mueller Wolf
Bridesmaids’ Dresses: Watters&Watters; Serendipity, Austin, Texas
Flower Girls: Caroline Hill Quackenbush and Ande Elizabeth Tiller
Ring Bearer: Darryl Danforth Berger
Groom’s and Groomsmen’s Attire: Costume de rigueur
Best Men: Brandon Brooks Berger and Darryl David Berger Jr.
Groomsmen: John David Baxter Jr., William Maitland Baxter, Nicholas Dupuy Moses, Jason Daniel Popp, Ryan David Popp, Porter Drumm Pursley, Jack Raymond Reed III, Joseph Cornell Schohn, Hyatt Waid Thompson, Benjamin Bradley Tiller and William Battle Williford
Readers: Matthew Ryan Murphy and Theodore William Stofer
Engagement Ring: Stone belonged to the groom’s paternal grandfather; setting made by Friend & Company
Bride’s Wedding Band: Friend & Company
Groom’s Wedding Band: Belonged to groom’s maternal grandfather
Florist: Meade Wenzel
Invitation: J.O. Acree, Mobile, Alabama
Wedding Cake and Groom’s Cake: Royal Cakery
Photographer: Arte de Vie
Videographer: Studio Vieux Carré
Hair: Beth Washington
Makeup: Tisa’s Beauty Bar for the bride and Katie Malone Makeup for the bridesmaids
Music: Perfect 10 Band Atlanta
Entertainment: Frenchy
