When Bostonian Elisabeth Morray contemplated marriage and her wedding day, the concept of online dating, Texas and a role as stepmother never crossed her mind. However, life doesn’t always follow our carefully crafted plans.

On December 26, 2000, Elisabeth’s life changed when she logged onto Boston.com and responded to a personal ad, posted by Austinite Jeff Williams. “It was the first time that I had ever done anything like that,” said Elisabeth. “Jeff was an Austin native who had recently been transferred to Boston for work. Once we started writing each other, our exchanges ran about eight pages long.”

After a week of sharing e-mails, the perspective couple planned to meet. “I wasn’t really nervous because we had been clear about our expectations,” said Elisabeth. “Jeff has two children, Shannon and Reagan, and it was important that I accepted them. That was a transition for me, but the more we got to know each other, it just felt right.”

Jeff was an Boston high-tech firm employee, while Elisabeth was a Boston ballet dancer, employed as a catering company event manger and a psychology doctoral candidate. “ The couple dated for a year and a half before Jeff decided to return to Austin to be closer to his children. We spent a year and a half in a long-distance relationship and that cemented our desire to build a life together.”

Elisabeth transferred to the University of Texas to finish her coursework in 2003. “Texas just wasn’t in my sights, but once I arrived, I fell in love with Austin.” she said. Later that year, Jeff and Elisabeth returned to one of the first places they had visited together. “We hiked a trail that overlooked the 360 bridge and watched the sunset,” said Elisabeth. “Jeff brought a picnic and asked me to marry him. I knew in my heart it was the right decision and we set the date for May 30, 2004.”

Elisabeth’s professional experience influenced the wedding planning process. “Since most of Jeff’s family lived here and my family was spread out all of the United States, it made sense to host the wedding in Austin. It was a good mid-point and we really wanted to show our friends and family Austin.”

The couple’s toughest decision was choosing a ceremony and reception venue. “We wanted a place that was uniquely Texas,” said Elisabeth. “The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center was such a gorgeous place, with a natural beauty and unique architecture. It beautifully highlights the Texas Hill Country, with a casual elegance.”

The couple planned a weekend of activities, which included dining poolside at the Doubletree Hotel, dancing at the Broken Spoke, picnicking at Barton Springs, celebrating the rehearsal dinner on an Austin Party Cruise (hosted by Jeff’s mother), entertainment at Esther’s Follies and a post-wedding brunch hosted by Jeff’s father.

The couple chose Tana’s Terrains, a wildflower farm south of Austin, as their florist. “We picked flowers that reflected the natural environment,” said Elisabeth. “We picked organic wildflowers and even watched the flowers grow.”

The couple’s next task was locating a photographer. “Melanie and I clicked when we met,” said Elisabeth, about Melanie, owner of Melanie West Photography. “Her photographs are artistic, photojournalistic and spontaneous.”

The bride-to-be filled the videographer need when she found Nikki Howells. “My mother opposed the idea, because she didn’t want the wedding to become a three-ring circus,” said Elisabeth. “But Nikki was unobtrusive and accurate. When we watched the video, we felt like guests at our own wedding.”

Another key element to Elisabeth’s wedding plan included finding a caterer. “ Hoffman & Company Catering did a great job of exceeding my expectations, with a buffet-style meal, that satisfied everyone.”

Elisabeth discovered her cake maker, Melody Parsons of Better Batter Bakery. “Melody uses authentic Mexican vanilla in her butter cream and it’s delicious. We chose real wildflowers to decorate the top and butterflies made of icing.”

Music was the next piece of the puzzle that Elisabeth fit together when she chose

Complete Music. “The DJ, Stafford Jones, has a charismatic presence, without being cheesy and he knows how to read a crowd. A special moment included an anniversary dance for my grandparents, who were celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary.”

On the special day, the couple arrived at the LBJ Wildflower Center and received relaxing massages. The bridesmaids arrived and Deborah Lira designed their hair and makeup. Two of Elisabeth’s friends from the Boston catering company provided coordinator duties.

After a day of rain, the ceremony began at 7 p.m. “By three o’clock, the skies parted,” said Elisabeth. “It was about 100 degrees. We served lemonade and provided fans to cool off our guests. At 8:30 p.m., there was a sunset and the light was beautiful in the courtyard.”

Elisabeth’s aunt, a Connecticut minister, officiated the 40-minute ceremony. “We’d been to several weddings where the focus was more on the reception than on the ceremony,” said Elisabeth. “We wanted a meaningful service with personal traditions. My aunt shared our life histories and how our lives would integrate into a marriage.”

The ceremony also included a Celtic tradition called hand-fasting, where the hands are held and bound together with a rope. Elisabeth’s family members also sang the hymn ‘For the Beauty of the Earth.’”

The bride’s gown was bought as a sample from Belle Saison, and re-designed by seamstress Ruth Rowe of Sew Original, Austin. It was made into two pieces with added waist detail and cap sleeves. Her jewelry was borrowed from local jewlerly designer Anthony Nak.

After the ceremony, the guests walked along the pathway to the butterfly gardens, decorated with lanterns and votive candles. Mojitos were served while photos were taken and guests mingled. The tables were decorated with hurricane candles and surrounded by a wreath of Texas wildflowers.

“With 130 people in attendance, 80 of them were out-of-town visitors,” she said. “Many of them had no vision of the Hill Country and were amazed at its natural beauty. They went home with a completely different impression of Texas and that’s exactly what we wanted to share with them.”

Austin Resources:

Ceremony and Reception Site: The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

Photographer: Melanie West Photography

Videographer: Nikki Howells

Catering Company: Hoffman & Company Catering

Florist: Tana’s Terrains

Music: Complete Music

Cake: Better Batter Bakery