Our story
Though we went to a college of 50,000 people (namely UT Austin, the greatest school ever), in the 2023 fall semester Jordan and I ended up in the same small Hebrew class that met Monday through Friday, six hours a week. The class was very close-knit and we all became friends, and I found myself laughing at Jordan’s jokes, competing with him for grades, and thinking that he was a bit of a cutie. He would buy me coffee when I was stressed out, sit with me at shabbat dinners, and get ice cream with me in the middle of the night. One day, he asked if I’d like to come on a frat trip to Dallas for OU weekend with him “as a friend,” and the rest is history.Â
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When we met we had both been toying with the idea of becoming more serious about Judaism (despite how exciting grammar is we hadn’t signed up for “Intensive Hebrew” just for the fun of it), and once we became a team we gave each other the strength to go for it. We turned our lives upside-down and swapped frat parties and football games on Saturday for long shabbat walks, board games, cooking sessions, and (hopefully) some Torah learning. The journey brought the two of us even closer, and when it was time to graduate we both went to Israel to study more seriously in yeshiva/midrasha. I finished my conversion to Orthodox Judaism in December after two years of studying, and three months later Jordan asked me to marry him (with the most perfect proposal ever). I can’t wait to introduce you all to my best friend in the entire world, or (if you’re with Jordan’s gang) to meet you!
Before starting college, I had never met an Orthodox Jew. And yet, as I flew halfway across the country for my freshman year at UT Austin, I decided that I was going to become one. Having no clue whatsoever what that meant, I got off to a slow start, filling my freshman year with cup pong, football games, and late-night Buc-ee's trips. After spending the summer working at a Jewish camp in rural Massachusetts, I came back to UT with a renewed drive to connect to my Jewish roots. Spending more time involved in the Jewish outreach organizations on campus, it wasn't long before I found the one other person on the entire campus who also wanted to live an observant Jewish life. And if she happened to be a cute blonde with an irresistible Southern drawl- not to mention the smartest girl in my Hebrew class- I figured that couldn't hurt. So what did I do? Invite her to a multi-day fraternity trip, of course!
We had a ton of fun, and decided that we were dating. The next year and a half was a bit of a wild ride as we went from two college kids who enjoyed each other's company to two partners who were trying to figure out together how this whole "Jewish" thing worked, whether it meant planning Shabbat excursions, prepping kosher meals together, or learning about myriad Jewish laws and customs. As Gracie graduated and left for Israel to finish her conversion, I had one last semester hanging around in Austin. Whiling away the time by studying Torah and cooking up melava malka meals in between bouts of thesis-writing, I eventually made it to yeshiva in Israel six months later.
We started dating again, this time with marriage in mind. So, not long after Purim, I took her to Montefiore Windmill and asked her if she would be my wife. Believe it or not, she said yes!
-Gracie
-Jordan
Travel & Stay
Getting Here
Fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. Parking downtown is limited and parking at the hotel is expensive, so you might want to forgo renting a car and use our readily available rideshare services. Downtown Austin is accessible with options like electric bikes, scooters, and even driverless rides from Waymo! If you want to get out of downtown and explore the city then you will want to rent a car.Â
Where to Stay
Rooms have been set aside under Abrams Gum wedding at the following hotels:
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Austin Proper Hotel
600 W 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
This is the closest hotel to the library, for those who want a luxury boutique experience
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Hyatt Regency Austin
208 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
Just across Lady Bird Lake from the library
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 Abrams Wedding | Booking Link
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Guests can also call the hotel at
512-480-2079 to make a reservation referencing the group code G-GGJA.
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Last day to book at the group rate:Â July 16
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Hyatt Place Austin Downtown
211 East 3rd Street, Austin, TX 78701
Half a mile from the library
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 Book by July 22 and be sure to get the refundable rate
https://www.hyatt.com/events/en-US/group-booking/AUSZD/G-GAWB
Local Tips
Some of our favorite outdoor activities include walking, running, or biking on the Lady Bird Lake hike/bike trail, swimming at Barton Springs pool, and
standup paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing on Lady Bird Lake.
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Some of our favorite indoor downtown activities:
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The Blanton Museum of Art on the UT campus features an impressive mix of modern, contemporary, Latin American, and classic art in a beautiful space.Â
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The Bullock Texas State History Museum offers interactive exhibits, fascinating Texas history, and a large-format IMAX theater.
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The LBJ Presidential Library is a fascinating stop on the University of Texas campus where visitors can explore immersive exhibits on the 1960s, civil rights, the space race, and presidential history, along with a replica of the Oval Office and rotating special exhibits.
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The Texas State Capitol offers free guided and self-guided tours available daily.
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The Elephant Room is a cool basement jazz club!
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South Congress Avenue, just south of the Hyatt Regency, is filled with unique boutiques, local shops, boot stores, art galleries, coffee shops, and restaurants. You can even find live music!
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Things to do and places to eat
Food and drink recommendations
Walkable from Austin Proper Hotel
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Coffee and casual options
Merit Coffee, 222 West Ave., Suite 120
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Local Foods
Popular daytime stop for brunch and lunch fare, plus coffee and takeout food, 454 W. 2nd St.
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JuiceLand
Vibrant Austin-born smoothie and juice bar capturing the city’s eccentric, health-conscious “Keep Austin Weird” spirit, 607 W. 3rd St., Suite 115
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Flower Child
Health-conscious eatery located just across from the Proper Hotel, 500 W. 2nd St.
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Mexican
La Piscina $$$
A lively indoor-outdoor restaurant and bar on the fifth-floor pool deck of Austin Proper Hotel, offering Texas-inspired Mexican cuisine with a fresh approach, 600 W. 2nd St.
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La Condesa
Modern Mexican cuisine featuring locally sourced ingredients in a lively, stylish setting, 400A W. 2nd St.
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Barbecue
Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que
Classic barbecue joint with picnic-table seating, serving brisket, ribs and other meats pulled straight from the pit, 217 Congress Ave.
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Special-occasion dining
Hestia $$$$
Michelin-starred restaurant centered around a dramatic live-fire hearth, serving an inventive, upscale menu with an excellent wine program, 607 W. 3rd St., Suite 105
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Cocktails
The Roosevelt Room
Relaxed speakeasy-style atmosphere with an extensive menu of craft cocktails, 307 W. 5th St.
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Walkable from Hyatt Regency Austin
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Coffee
Bennu Coffee
Relaxed, locally owned coffee house open 24 hours a day, 515 S. Congress Ave.
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Tacos
Veracruz All Natural
Popular Austin taco counter inside The LINE Hotel, beside the hotel’s enormous “Wonder Woman” mural, 111 E. Cesar Chavez St.
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Taco Joint
Casual neighborhood spot especially popular for breakfast tacos and house-made flour tortillas, 134 E. Riverside Dr.
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Barbecue
Terry Black’s Barbecue
Spacious, casual destination for pit-smoked meats and house-made sides from fourth-generation pitmasters, 1003 Barton Springs Rd.
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Rooftop drinks
Upstairs at Caroline
Casual rooftop bar with games, comfortable seating and good drinks, 109 E. 7th St.
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South Congress Stroll
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Coffee
La La Land Kind Cafe
Bright, cheerful coffee shop known for specialty lattes and an upbeat atmosphere, 1400 S. Congress Ave.
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Mañana Coffee
Stylish coffee shop serving carefully prepared coffee, pastries and light bites, 1603 S. Congress Ave.
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Tacos
Torchy’s Tacos
Popular Austin-born taco chain with the best queso! 1822 S. Congress Ave.
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Other South Congress favorites
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Home Slice Pizza
Popular New York-style neighborhood pizzeria. Don’t miss the garlic knots! 1415 S. Congress Ave.
Hopdoddy Burger BarÂ
Known for handcrafted burgers, fries, shakes, and local beer. The Big Larry margarita will knock you out! 1400 South Congress Ave.
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Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar
Fresh seafood and oysters flown in daily, and yummy cocktails served in a lively setting with one of South Congress’ prettiest patios, 1400 S. Congress Ave.
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June’s All Day
Laid-back but sophisticated neighborhood café and wine bar inspired by Spanish tapas bars, Parisian cafés and New York wine bars, 1722 S. Congress Ave.
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Amy’s Ice Cream
Iconic Austin-born ice-cream shop known for hundreds of rotating flavors and a staff known for its theatrical ice cream tossing! 1301 S. Congress Ave.
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Worth a Short Ride
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Polvos
Funky Austin Mexican restaurant known for frozen margaritas, serve-yourself salsa bar, and Tex-Mex fare, 2004 S. 1st St.
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LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue
Laid-back, Michelin-starred barbecue restaurant serving a creative, modern interpretation of Texas classics, including beef cheeks, house-made sausages, inventive sides and rotating specials, 5621 Emerald Forest Dr.
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Franklin Barbecue
Iconic Austin institution famous for world-class brisket. Be sure to arrive early and prepare to wait in the legendary line before it sells out, 900 E. 11th St.
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Wine and cocktails
LoLo Wine Bar
Cozy East Austin bar specializing in natural wines from around the world, 1504 E. 6th St.
Garage Bar
​A stylish, intimate cocktail bar hidden inside a downtown parking garage, 503 Colorado St.
Powder Room
An intimate, phone-free speakeasy-style lounge serving crafted cocktails and small bites, 301 West 5th St.
Weekend & Ceremony Details
Friday, August 7
The Abrams Family will host a welcome reception on Friday from 5-7 p.m. at the Hillel Student Center on the UT campus (2105 San Antonio St.). The dress code is casual.Â
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A bus will pick up guests at the Proper Hotel at 4:30 p.m. and at the Hyatt Regency at 4:40 p.m. and depart from Hillel at 7 p.m.
Gracie and Jordan will observe Shabbat from sunset on Friday until nightfall on Saturday so there are no formal wedding activities during this time. Â
Saturday, August 8
Start the day with a walk around Town Lake with the Gums. Meet at 8 a.m. on the trail in front of the Hyatt Regency (where the Capital Cruise boats are docked).Â
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Spend Saturday shopping on South Congress Avenue (SoCo), visiting one of our many museums, touring the Texas State Capitol, or swimming at Barton Springs...and of course eating some delicious Tex Mex and barbeque! Please reach out to Jordan if you are interested in attending Shabbat services on Saturday and/or the lunch following services.
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Join us on Saturday at 8 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency's Ripple & Roots Bar & Patio, where you will see North America's largest urban bat colony emerging from beneath the South Congress Bridge. Drinks and apps hosted by Gracie's Aunt and Uncle, Robin and Kenny Smith. Please dress for the heat in a casual summer dress/shorts/linen, etc.Â
Sunday, August 9
!יום ×—×Ş×•× ×” שמח
Happy wedding day!
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6:15 p.m. Bus pickup from the Hyatt Regency Hotel
6:25 p.m. Bus pickup from the Hyatt Place Hotel
The library is walkable from the Proper Hotel
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6:30 p.m. The Kabbalat Panim or pre-wedding reception will take place in the Special Event Center of the Austin Central Library. Guests are invited to give and receive blessings and well- wishes to the bride and groom.
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7:20 p.m. The groom is escorted by friends and family to greet the bride and veil her in a ceremony known as the Bedeken, which serves to confirm the bride's identity, a nod to Jacob marrying Leah instead of Rachel. It also emphasizes the importance of inner beauty over external appearance.
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The ceremony will take place immediately after the Bedeken. Please plan to be at the library no later than 7:20 p.m.Â
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Following the ceremony, guests are invited to the Garden Rooftop of the library for food, drinks, dancing, and fun! We will not be eating until after 8 p.m., so please eat a bite before coming if need be. The party ends at 11 p.m.!
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10:30 p.m. First bus leaves the library for the Hyatt Place and Hyatt Regency hotels
11 p.m. Second bus leaves the library
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Ride share drivers should drop you off at Cesar Chavez and West, in front of the big "LIBRARY" sign. Guests should enter the library at the entrance on Cesar Chavez. Look for our signage.
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Those driving are invited to park in the library's parking garage. Please be sure to hold onto your ticket and pick up a validation before you leave the reception.Â
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Please share your photos from the
weekend here!
We can't wait to celebrate with you!
Thank you for being a part of this momentous day...
we are SO grateful for our family and friends!Â
Frequently asked questions
Gifts
Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could receive!
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For those who have asked about a registry, we have created a Home Fund as we prepare to begin our married life together in Israel. Since we will be living overseas during our first year of marriage, a fund will be the most helpful way for us to create a home and settle into this new chapter. We are so grateful for your love and support!
Some of you have asked for an address to send a check. Please make out to either Jordan Abrams or Gracie Gum in care of Rhonda Gum, 5910 Taylorcrest Drive, Austin TX 78749.
Thank you for your generosity!