Hilary and Matthew

Hilary Jane (Hershberger) Kieffer, 27, is a resident physician specializing in family medicine. She attended Baylor University where she was a varsity athlete in cross country and track and field and member of Delta Delta Delta. After graduating with degrees in Spanish and medical humanities, Hilary attended Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, and earned her medical degree in 2016. Hilary and Matthew reside in The Woodlands, Texas.

Matthew John Kieffer, 27, is an area sales manager for a healthcare communications and technology company. He earned his BS in biomedical engineering at Georgia Tech where he was a member of Delta Chi. Matt began his career in the GE Corporate Leadership Program before moving to Texas. His family spent much of his childhood living overseas in Asia and Europe.

For two busy professionals, meeting online was the perfect platform. Matt lived in Dallas at the time, but often traveled to Houston for business. The couple’s first date was dinner at a Houston restaurant near the Texas Medical Center, where Hilary was attending medical school.

“While our first date was special, it was Matt’s thoughtfulness and sense of humor on our second date at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston that nudged me to believe he was the real deal,” reminisces Hilary. “Matt felt the same way, and six months later took me back to that special spot on a rainy April day. It was just the two of us in a beautiful gallery, and he got down on one knee and proposed!”

The blissful couple tied the knot on May 14, 2016 at Christ Community Church Brookside. Abigail Crane, sister of the bride, served as Matron of Honor; bridesmaids were Melissa Kieffer, sister of the groom, and friends Allison Golub, Bonnie Holman, Christine Richardson, Teel Liddell and Ali Anderson. Serving as Best Man was Carson Moore; groomsmen were the bride’s brother, William Hershberger, and friends Christopher Hauser, Mark Zeller, Matthew Lynch, Garrett Cathey and Christopher Soukup. Kyle Crane served as usher; parents of the bridal couple are Todd and Alison Hershberger and John and Andrea Kieffer.

The bride and bridesmaids enjoyed the morning getting ready at The Raphael Hotel on the Country Club Plaza before boarding a trolley to Verona Columns Park for photos. After a first look with her groom, Hilary walked down the aisle to Henry Purcell’s “Trumpet Tune” and matron of honor and sister of the bride, Abigail, sang “The Prayer” and “Ave Maria” accompanied by the Brookside String Quartet. The wedding party and guests then celebrated with a cocktail hour, dinner and dancing at the Grand Street Café event space. Large floral centerpieces, gold votives, a four-tiered white wedding cake and classic white and gold tablecloths adorned the space. The bride and groom danced to Tony Bennett’s “The Way You Look Tonight” and the Kieffer family, led by the mother of the groom, surprised them both with a flash mob dance!

Hilary and Matthew honeymooned in the Maldives, snorkeling and soaking up the sun on the white sand at Diamonds Thudufushi Resort & Spa. ■

Business that Shared in the Love:

Photography:
Freeland Photography

Bridal Gown:
Lazaro – Ivory Bridal Atelier

Bridesmaids’ Gowns:
Montage Bridal

Groom’s Tux:
Men’s Wearhouse

Groomsmens’ Tuxes:
Men’s Wearhouse

Hair Styling and Makeup:
White Carpet Bride

Florist:
Bella Chic Floral

Videography:
4Honor Photography and Videography

DJ:
Jeff Vaughn, Two Guys, a Girl and Some Speakers

Cake:
McLain’s Bakery

Venue:
Grand Street Café

Jeweler:
Karat’s Jewelers

Wedding Planner:
Alison Hershberger