travel
The bride and groom depart in a vintage Rolls-Royce. After saying “I do,” Natalie and James hit the streets of Austin. The ceremony took place in Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary’s Shelton Chapel. A historic plaque outside the chapel. Cutting the cake. The reception at Bullock Texas State History Museum. The verdant facade of Shelton Chapel.
CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT
Homecoming Party
Natalie Bond and James Bloomingdale tie the knot—Lone Star style
T
he night we were supposed to meet there was a tornado warning,” Natalie Bond remembers of her
Tower, and the couple have been together ever since. The pair chose Austin for their nuptials, and the save-the-dates
false start with now-husband James Bloomingdale,
reflected the destination in leather branded by the bride’s 86-year-
fifth-generation Angeleno and grandson of Betsy
old grandfather with a “BB” design—an homage to their last names
Bloomingdale. A friend suggested they connect,
and to Natalie’s father’s cattle ranch in Vernon, 5BB, where James
since Natalie lived in Dallas at the time, and
proposed. After the ceremony at the historic Shelton Chapel, the
James, head of acquisitions and senior vice president for JRK
nearly 500-strong party relocated to the Bullock Texas State History
Property Holdings, was commuting to the city for work from his
Museum, where the newlyweds made their entrance on a grand
Venice Beach base. “James was in the bathtub in his hotel—terri-
limestone staircase. Local band Blind Date Austin kept the dance
fied,” says Natalie. “Meanwhile, I’m having a cocktail on the
floor packed, and authentic fare including quail bites, buñuelos and
patio!” Fate, not inclement weather, intervened the second time
a queso fountain fueled the party. Before departing in a Rolls-Royce,
around, when Natalie accepted a job offer in L.A. (She’s now
the bride paid respect to her adopted home by changing out of her
co-founder of West Hollywood PR firm Nash & Lee.) Three days
bespoke arabesque lace dress into a caped frock by SoCal designer
after moving to town, she met James for dinner at the Sunset
Juan Carlos Obando. “I wanted something from L.A.,” she says. •
CAKE Classic Cakes by Lori MENU Rosemary’s Catering DRESS Coutures by Laura DRESSING CONSULTANT Julian Gold FLORIST Westbank Flower Market ENTERTAINMENT Blind Date Austin COORDINATOR Barbara Bailey Gaines RENTALS/EVENT PRODUCTION RK Group VIDEOGRAPHY 2nd Generation Wedding Films REHEARSAL DINNER The Headliners Club INVITATIONS Crane & Co. HONEYMOON Switzerland and St Barths
WRITTEN BY MELISSA GOLDSTEIN. PHOTOGRAPHS BY JENNIFER LINDBERG WEDDINGS
Travel (Bits)