Suzanne Clementine Negley was attending a show in, Austin, TX, when the band’s drummer caught her eye. Austin Joseph Hegarty, who considers himself an introvert, was delighted when extroverted Suzanne approached him! They planned to meet for cocktails at a bar called Native Hostel, and then they promptly left to go see a movie. The two clicked on that first date and never looked back.
Four years later, Austin and Suzanne went on a picnic with their Jack Russell, Mowgli, at the Negley family ranch. Austin got down on one knee, read a quote from Ray Bradbury, one of the couple’s favorite authors, and proposed. After Suzanne said yes, they drank champagne, called their families, and watched the wildlife as the sun set.
Given that the proposal included a Bradbury quote, it’s no surprise that the couple chose a literary theme for their wedding: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Pavilion of Two Sisters at City Park, with large oaks dripping with Spanish moss, provided the perfect backdrop for the ceremony, reminding guests of a lush garden straight out of Shakespeare’s play. As their friend Alicia McNab pronounced them husband and wife on June 24, 2024, the couple was surrounded by flowers such as purple alliums, pink astilbes, as well as tropical flora to reflect New Orleans.
The city’s most exquisite flora was on display during the reception at the Botanical Gardens, which were decked out in hundreds of twinkle lights. The sparkles danced on both the soft pink table linens and the bubbles in the guests’ champagne glasses. The champagne paired beautifully with the menu created by the Botanical Gardens. In addition to this menu, Suzanne commissioned a croquembouche from Bittersweet Confections in the shape of an alligator, which was a fabulous supplement to their wedding cake. This bit of French cuisine was also a nod to the bride’s mother, a Cordon-Bleu trained chef.
The mother of the bride, along with all the other guests, was all smiles as the newlyweds shared their first dance to “Into My Arms” by Nick Cave. It’s a song about two very different people with very different beliefs who find their common ground in their love for each other; Austin and Suzanne feel it fits them perfectly. Afterward, it was time for the guests to show off their talents! All the women and girls who attended Suzanne’s beloved summer camp, Camp Honey Creek for Girls, came to the stage to sing a camp song, “Peace I Ask of Thee O River”. Suzanne’s best friend and sister dueted “If I Needed You” by Townes van Zandt, accompanied by Austin’s best friend on the guitar.
After making unforgettable memories with their friends, Austin and Suzanne set off on a honeymoon to make new memories as a couple. They traveled to Marrakesh (a city in Morocco) and London. After this trip, they returned to their home in Austin, TX, where Suzanne is a stylist and Austin is a marketing manager for PBS Austin.
Rehearsal Dinner Location: Audubon Zoo Cajun Ballroom
Reception: City Park Botanical Gardens
Coordinator: Belinda Belk of Blue Gardenia
Ceremony Music: Harry Hardin and a string quartet, immediately followed by Kinfolk second line
Wedding Gown: Custom by Angelina Mata, of Mata Atelier in San Antonio
Bridesmaid’s Dresses: In lieu of a traditional bridal party, all the children in the Negley family were “flower children”. They wore cocktail attire of their choosing but in different colors
Engagement Ring: Custom by Nicole Mera
Florist: Antigua
Invitation: Betty Hunley Designs with custom art by Katherine Paredes
Caterer: Botanical Gardens
Wedding Cake: Haydel’s
Groom’s Cake: Bittersweet Confections
Photographer: Hannah Pickle
Videographer: Nathan Willis
Hair & Makeup: Verde Beauty
Reception Music: Rockin’ Dopsie and the Zydeco Twisters
Avenue Weddings
