Real Weddings

Couple embrace Hill Country chic (and bury the bourbon) for special wedding day

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

Lindsey and Matthew Putterman created an elegantly rustic outdoor wedding ceremony.

weddings

Sobering statistic

Texas ranks as one of the deadliest states for New Year’s crashes

Courtesy

Be sure to arrange a safe ride home on New Year's Eve.

At more than 314,000 miles, Texas boasts the largest system of public roads among the 50 states. It also holds the unfortunate distinction of being one of the deadliest states for New Year’s car accidents.

An analysis of 2014-2023 traffic data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows Texas is the ninth worst state for traffic deaths on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

During the 10-year period covered by the analysis, commissioned by AutoAccident.com, Texas tallied 280 traffic deaths on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day — the highest total of any state. The 280-person toll in Texas works out to 9.61 deaths per one million residents, a rate that’s 37 percent above the national average of 6.99 deaths per one million residents.

The analysis reveals that nearly three-fourths (64 percent) of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day traffic deaths in Texas were drivers, nearly one-fifth (19 percent) were pedestrians, and 16 percent were passengers.

“New Year’s Eve is one of the most dangerous nights on American roads,” says Edward Smith, managing attorney at AutoAccident.com, a personal injury law firm.

“With impaired driving incidents spiking during holiday celebrations, every driver has a responsibility to make smart choices that protect themselves and others sharing the road,” Smith adds. “Even in states with strong safety records, one preventable death is too many.”

According to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), more than 2,000 drunk driving-related crashes happened during the 2024 holiday season. Last year, December ranked as the No. 1 month in Texas for wrecks caused by drunk drivers.

“The holidays are a wonderful time to be with family, and yet they can also be a painful reminder for those who have lost loved ones to preventable crashes,” says Marc Williams, executive director of TxDOT. “Let’s make a new holiday tradition to drive like a Texan: kind, courteous, and safe. That means always getting a sober ride.”

TxDOT offers these four tips for staying safe on the roads as the calendar switches from 2025 to 2026:

Designate a sober driver before the celebrations start.
Ask a sober relative or friend to pick you up if you’re too tipsy to drive.
Use public transit or rideshare services.
Stay off the roads until you’ve sobered up.

traffic fatalities crime holidays new year's day new years eve traffic