It’s often said that the best romantic relationships are those that start as friends first. Lindsey and Matthew Putterman can certainly attest to that. The two met on a 10-day trip to Israel and fell into an instant friendship.

“We were like the guy and girl versions of each other,” Lindsey said.

It was after their trip and as college students at the University of Texas that things took a more romantic turn, blossoming into something far more serious than just friends. The couple dated for four years and Lindsey was completely shocked when Matthew proposed before the duo was about to leave for the UT/OU game in Dallas.

They were readying for the road trip when Matthew dropped on one knee and proposed.

“He told me, ‘Everyday is an adventure with and I want to spend the rest of mine with you,’” Lindsey said.

How could a girl possibly resist?

Lindsey is from San Antonio and Matthew hails from Houston, and they wanted an outdoor wedding with a modern Southern feel, so they headed for the Hill Country and fell for the elegantly rustic charm of the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio.

They also wove important religious elements into the fabric of their wedding. Both of their childhood rabbis officiated the ceremony and Lindsey’s sister, Shannon, sang a song from Fiddler on the Roof during the signing of the Ketubah, or the marriage contract.

“We had a very traditional Jewish wedding. It was important to us,” Lindsey said.

In an appeal to the weather gods, Lindsey and Matthew buried a bottle of bourbon at the wedding site. The Southern tradition dictates brides and grooms who bury a full bottle of bourbon upside down exactly one month before the big day will have perfect wedding weather. Not only was rain a concern, but so were cold January temperatures. Despite chilly weather, the weather was ideal.

“It didn’t rain on our wedding day. The weather was amazing,” Lindsey said.

Score one for the bourbon.

Other big hits included the aptly named Matchmaker, an Austin band that played Motown, soul, funk and dance music for the reception and the innovative idea of starting dinner with salads at the tables and then moving to stations for the following courses.

The stars definitely shone bright for the two Longhorns who got exactly what they had planned and dreamed of for their wedding and reception.

“Hill Country and anything Texas. We wanted that to be the vibe of the day,” Lindsey said. “We merged our styles and it was amazing.”

• Rehearsal Dinner Venue: Sunset Station
• Rehearsal Dinner Dress: BCBG from Julian Gold
• Reception Venue: Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa San Antonio
• Ceremony Venue: Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resport and Spa San Antonio
• Photographer: Reg Campbell
• Florist: wendee sawran petals + decor
• Dress: Monique Lhuillier from Casa de Novia
• Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
• Groom's Tux: Strong Suit from M Penner
• Wedding Planner: Caplan Miller Events
• Band: Matchmaker
• Ceremony Music: Terra Vista Strings
• Cocktail Hour Music: Terra Vista Strings