Lyndsey Peterson and Richard Williams’ paths crossed several times before a connection finally occurred in college. Both attended Canyon Vista Middle School and Westwood High School, but never knew each other during those formative years. While attending A&M University in College Station, their six degrees of separation evaporated. Richard and Lyndsey took the same class and Richard found it easier to borrow Lindsey’s notes, rather than attend class. “I dressed up cute for that class, just to get Richard’s attention and he was never there,” said Lyndsey. “We eventually started dating and I didn’t know his name for the first two weeks. I would lean over him, trying to read his name on his paper, but he was sneaky and never let it slip. Finally, I asked my mother to fax me the football team photo from high school, so I could narrow it down.”

The couple dated for five years, graduated from college, then later moving to New York City for Richard’s finance position on Wall Street, and Lyndsey found work in the accounting field. They lived in NYC for over two years until Richard was hired at a Dallas firm, which brought the couple back to the Lone Star State.

In June of 2005, Richard took Lyndsey on her first trip to Disney World under the guise of his niece, Courtney’s, birthday party. The couple enjoyed MGM and Epcot for the first few days and on the third day, June 12, they prepared for lunch and the birthday party at the Magic Kingdom in Cinderella’s castle with all of the princesses. “Little did I know that Richard knew that I had always loved Cinderella and he had planned a lunch so that I could meet Cinderella and her Fairy Godmother,” said Lyndsey. After lunch, the entire family went outside to the Rose Garden for photos and after a few shots, the photographer asked if any couples wanted a photo taken and Lyndsey raised her hand. The plan was on schedule, since Richard had hired the photographer himself.

Richard’s younger niece handed Lyndsey the Cinderella book that contained a very different ending. It read: “Lyndsey you have a very important decision to make. Will you help me write the rest of this never ending love story?” This sparked Lyndsey’s curiosity. Richard’s oldest niece approached the couple with a silver carriage and Richard bent to one knee, opened the carriage that contained the engagement ring, and asked Lyndsey to marry him. “I said yes, of course,” said Lyndsey. “It was the most beautiful ring that I had ever seen. After that, I looked up to see my parents who were supposed to be at home in Austin.”

They celebrated and the photographer guided them around the park, capturing many engagement photos for their memory album. Afterwards, the family went to the Grand Floridian for dinner. The Fairy Godmother had arranged for Cinderella and Prince Charming to show up for photos. “We could barely eat because of our excitement and I couldn’t walk straight because I was staring at my ring the whole night,” said Lyndsey.

After dinner, Richard had more planned for Lyndsey. He chartered a private boat and captain for a romantic cruise around Disney, which included champagne and Epcot fireworks. Once the cruise ended, the couple met their families for a surprise engagement party on the Boardwalk. Richard had ordered a block for the group on the Legacy Wall at Epcot six months prior to the big day, which displays their names, engagement date, and Texas.

Plans commenced for an October 7, 2006, wedding at the Smith Chapel at Riverbend Church. After Lyndsey and her maid-of-honor and four bridesmaids prepared at the salon, they arrived at the church at the same time as Richard and his four groomsmen. The couple broke tradition and spent a few moments together prior to the ceremony, standing in front of the church without an audience. “We played some music that was special to our relationship and Richard gave me a small jewelry box engraved with our wedding date, for me to keep my wedding ring safe,” said Lyndsey. “He saw my dress and we took photos. I think that time alone helped to calm us before all of the excitement really began.”

The couple had a traditional ceremony, performed by their officiant Reverend Tom Deviney. The bridesmaids wore black strapless dresses, and surrounded Lyndsey. A space was left open in recognition of Richard’s best friend, Dale Castleberry, killed in the line of duty serving the U.S. Marines in Iraq. The Hyde Park Strings Quartet guided the ceremony and bright fall colored flowers of reds and oranges were included in the bouquets and boutonnières. Soloist, Benjamin Bear sang the Lord’s Prayer and “The Gift of Love.” Two of Richard’s nieces performed flower girl duties gracefully by scattering flower petals along the church aisle. Lyndsey wore an A-line, strapless dress with a sweetheart neckline, covered in lace, curls, and crystals. The gown had a three-foot train.

The Williams’ celebrated the day with 225 family and friends, who had traveled from various parts of the country, including New York City, Minnesota, Colorado, Louisiana, Connecticut, and Washington D.C.

The reception immediately followed at the Austin country Club. There was a 30-minute cocktail hour, where a photo slideshow of the couple’s favorite moments played. They were officially announced and presented as a married couple and the Williams danced to “True Companion” by Mark Cohen. Guests enjoyed a variety of foods offered serving stations. Including ham, chicken, seafood, and past dishes. The bridal cake maintained five tiers and was an ivory cake, filled with raspberry and covered with roses. Richard’s cake was designed like an Aggie Bonfire and with carrot and chocolate layers.

The Grooves kept everyone dancing and Richard’s dad, David Williams, kept the entertainment lively with a few unexpected guests. “Richard’s dad hired a Dolly Parton comedian pretending to be an intoxicated cowboy showed up and told funny stories about Richard and finally handcuffed us together for about 20 minutes,” said Lyndsey. “We were chained together while greeting guests. Finally Richard’s dad released us and we did the traditional sharing of the cake. I was polite and fed Richard without incident. He chose to smear it all over my face, so luckily I had planned for the moment and retaliated with a secret backup piece.”

After the guests threw rose petals to wish the newlyweds well, the joking duo surprised them all by spraying silly string at them. A white limo whisked them away to the Hilton Austin Airport. The next day, they rose at 6am for a honeymoon adventure to St. Lucia.

“Once again, Richard planned everything and I had no idea where we were going until the flight attendant made the announcement,” said Lyndsey. “He organized all of the activities and really went all out with a private suite right on the ocean. We had our own butler, swimming pool, and 24-hour room service. That was the right way to celebrate our new life together.”

Austin Resources

Bridal Gown:
Demetrios

Bride’s Hair:
Carlos at Hair World

Bride’s Makeup:
Adrienne Pitkin

Bridesmaids’ Attire:
Bill Levkoff

Cake:
Jackie Powers

Caterer:
Austin Country Club Catering

Ceremony:
Smith Chapel at Riverbend Church

Ceremony Music:
Hyde Park Strings Quartet

Soloist:
Benjamin Bear

Entertainment:
Cigar rolling: Bobalu Cigar Co.

Florist:
Melanie Tipton at Last Petal

Groomsmens’ Attire:
Kenneth Cole

Lighting:
First In Last Out Designs

Officiant:
Reverend Tom Deviney

Photographer:
Steve Armstrong of Steve Armstrong Photography

Reception:
Austin Country Club

Reception Music:
The Grooves

Transportation:
Austin Premium Limousine

Videographer:
Gary Smith