A Modern, Vegas-Themed Wedding at the W Austin Hotel in Texas

Despite eloping in Las Vegas the year before, Bruce Robison (32 and an Air Force operations officer) and Jose Plata’s (30 and a Navy physician) one-year anniversary called for a celebratory, Sin City–inspired bash. “It was important to share the fun, carefree feeling one gets in Vegas with a Texas hospitality twist,” Bruce says. The pair accessorized with matching rainbow cuff links (a gift from Jose’s sister), and invited 125 guests to revel at Austin’s W Hotel, where partygoers found deck of cards details, feathered centerpieces and one very proud red velvet cake. The grooms donned formal military mess dress for the ceremony before changing into dapper tuxedos. Bruce and Jose’s mothers escorted them down two separate aisles .Lights dimmed during the reception to announce the arrival of two drag queen performers. Post-party, the newlyweds exited the room to RuPaul’s “American.” “We’re both proud military members, and despite what people think, our wedding reflected our own version of the American dream,” Bruce says.