Just Lounging Around
Monday, January 5th, 2009 | Event Ideas | No Comments
Want to make your reception a bit different? One of the latest trends in receptions is lounge furniture. A separate seating area of sofas and ottomans, a lounge gives any event a high-end hip feel.
Even if your reception facililty doesn’t have a separate room, just putting the furniture at one end creates its own feel. Set up a few sofas and ottomans near the bar so your guests can have a seat during the cocktail hour. Or set it up away from the music and dancing so those who want to visit can do so comfortably.
No longer do your guests have to limit themselves to sitting at round tables trying to converse with those across the way.
Many facilities now have lounge furniture available for rent along with tables. Or check with your decorator or rental company.
Keeping Favors Close To Home
Tuesday, December 23rd, 2008 | Favors | No Comments
Want to do something different for your favors? Just look around where you live. Pick something that is indigenous or unique to your area. A ethnic candy or food that is associated with your part of the country is a good starting point.
Another growing idea is flower seeds. Many companies offer wildflower seeds embedded in recycled fibers. Your guests take the pad, soak it and then plant it. Not only will they enjoy the flowers, but they’ll have a living reminder of your wedding.
A new trend is also to make donations to charities in lieu of favors. Some organizations, such as the American Diabetes Association, will provide you with place cards and table tents explaining you’ve made a donation as your “favor”. This can be especially moving if you choose a charity with special meaning to you and your fiance.
Wedding Guide Professionals featured on WeTV’s “Wedding Planners”
Monday, December 1st, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Austin Wedding Planners will be featured on two episodes of WeTV’s “Wedding Planners,” on December 14 and December 27.
Austin Wedding Planners submitted a video, thanks to Silvertree Studios, applying for the show. The producer called and asked why we liked being wedding planners. Kathie stated, very mater-of-factly, “I truly enjoy never seeing my husband and it was a challenge seeing if I could survive on below minimum wage. The true joy is working endless hours without sleep.” The producer said she wanted the planners on the show to have lots of personality. After viewing the video and talking on the phone, WeTV chose Austin Wedding Planners. They filmed 2 weddings: Lynsey & Seth at Horseshoe Bay (airing December 14) and Laura & Ross (airing December 27).
“Since Austin is one of the top ten cities in the US to have a wedding, it was an honor to have been chosen out of all the wedding planners in Texas,” Kathie Millen, co-owner of Austin Wedding Planners, said. “There is nowhere else where you can have a wedding any day of the year! Outside or in, you can have an elegant affair, a down-home country style wedding, complete with a barn and longhorns, or a wedding in a castle or a cave. We have it all right here in Austin!”
Lynsey and Seth chose to have their ceremony at Methodist Church and the Horseshoe Bay Marriott for their reception. Matty Cakes made both cakes, Sprinkles provided cupcakes, and Jennifer’s Gardens did flowers for the event. Premiere Tents and Events provided rentals, draping, and lounge areas while BBJ Linens handled the linens. The hair and makeup was done by D. Lira & Company, Studio 563 did photography, and Big Time Band provided music for the reception.
Laura & Ross chose to have their ceremony & reception at Angel Springs Event Center. Creative Petals was their florist, Premier Tents and Events handled the linens, Michelle’s Pattisseries did both cakes, Fajita Warehouse catered, Lone Star Dove Release provided doves, Wild Parrot shot the video of the event, and Complete Music covered the music for the ceremony and reception.
“We are very excited to have been chosen to be on the “Wedding Planners” on WeTV,” Vivian Miller, co-owner of Austin Wedding Planners, said. “We love to show off our home — Austin, Texas — and to represent our wonderful team at Austin Wedding Planners. We were able to work with wonderful vendors for these shows and could not have done it without their amazing talents.”
Great Recycling Idea… Something Old
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008 | Wedding Traditions | No Comments
For something old dig out your grandmother’s costume jewelry, pins and necklaces, and use them as accents in your hair. Not only will they bring part of your heritage to the ceremony, they will be the most unique accessories you will be able to find!
Forget The Strippers!
Monday, October 27th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
The days of bachelor parties involving drinking, gambling and strippers are quickly fading away. Today’s grooms-to-be are much more involved in planning their own bachelor parties showcasing activities they really enjoy.
Some of the latest trends in bachelor parties include: golf weekends, hunting trips and skeet shooting. If you don’t have an entire weekend to spend on your bachelor party, there is still plenty to do for something different.
The local gaming/restaurant lets the guys have a great meal, a few drinks and time to act like youngsters again while they compete against each other.
Or check out your local sports team. Most have private boxes or suites that can be rented so groom and his buddies can enjoy the game in private.
When you are thinking outside of the box while planning the bachelor party, think about safety too. If there is going to be any drinking, rent a shuttle bus or limo for everyone involved. Some charter buses are like party rooms on wheels so everyone can have a great time and still make it to the wedding in one piece.
MTV’s Engaged and Underage - Now Casting!!!
Thursday, October 23rd, 2008 | Cake, Uncategorized | No Comments
Invite MTV to have a front row seat on your special day!
MTV News & Docs is casting for the third season of its popular documentary series “Engaged and Underage.” Let MTV tell your love story - the excitement of the engagement, the ups and downs of the planning, the fun along the way, and, of course, THE BIG DAY! This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…
You and your future spouse should both appear to be between the ages of 18 and 22. Best case scenario: you’re getting married in November/December 2008 or January 2009.
To apply for the show, download a casting questionnaire at:
http://www.mtv.com/ontv/castingcall/index.jhtml?castingId=1509138
Or email us to obtain one at:engagedandunderage@mtvstaff.com. (Tell us when and where you are getting married and why this is important to you. Include your name, phone number, email address and a digital photo of you and your future spouse, if possible.
Centerpieces
Friday, October 10th, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
Here is a money saving tip to kill two birds with one stone.
When planning your wedding decor, think outside of the box, or rather, outside of the candlescape. While most venues have some sort of basic centerpiece you can use, most brides want something more personal.
Here’s an interesting idea. Use cakes or candies. An arrangement of beautifully decorated cupcakes or petit fours in the center of each table with a small tea light (battery operated) creates an unusal centerpiece AND you can use the cakes instead of the groom’s cake or the wedding cake.
Or try using mesh bags of candies for your favors and arrange those in the center of each table as the centerpiece.
One cost, two uses!
Check the Date
Wednesday, October 1st, 2008 | Uncategorized | No Comments
When planning your big day, check the date. Make sure the “must attend” people are free that day. While it is your special day, sometimes people have other commitments that can’t be moved. You don’t want to force your best friend to chose between being your maid of honor or going to her college graduation, for example.
Also, check with your local convention and visitors bureau to see what public events are going on which may make it virtually impossible to hold your wedding. For example, having your wedding on the same weekend when there is a major public festival, drawing thousands of visitors, is not only going to make it more difficult to find vendors, its also going to make it much more difficult for your out of town guests to find accommodations.
Money Saving Hints
Monday, September 29th, 2008 | Budget | No Comments
As we continue to read about problems with the economy, we are seeing brides being more careful about wedding spending.
There are plenty of ways to have the wedding of your dreams without breaking the bank. Here are just a couple of tips:
- Consider having your wedding during an “off” time. Most weddings are Saturday afternoons and evening. Think about having a Friday evening or Sunday wedding. You can often get better deals from all your wedding vendors by picking a slower day.
- Reduce the size of the guest list. Seems obvious, but too often we see brides’ guest lists balloon because of the “have to” guests as in, “if we invite the Joneses, we HAVE to invite the Smiths.” Keep a wedding to close friends and family can make the day more intimate and more meaningful.
- Think small & elegant vs large & extravagant for everything. Having bridesmaids carry one beautiful bloom can be more effective than large bouquets. A well-prepared simple entree can be more delicious than an unusual dish that many guests may not enjoy anyway.
- Keep it “in season.” From the food to the flowers, focus on what is in season and you are bound to save money.
- Use professionals. Its all too easy to think you are going to save money by having Uncle Joe do the photography or Mom’s garden club do the flowers or your brother’s buddy do the music with his boom box. While these ideas may seem like money-savers, all too often the problems they bring with them negate any savings. Go with the professionals and ask how they suggest you save money.
One of the most important ways to save money on your wedding is to keep track of your money. Set a budget and stick to it. All too often we run into couples who don’t total up the bills until AFTER the big event and only then do they realize how much over budget they were.
Making The Most of Bridal Shows
Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 | Bridal Events | No Comments
It is that time again! Time for the Bridal Extravaganza. This weekend (Sept. 14) we’ll be in Austin (neither wind, nor rain, nor hail… well you get the drift) will stop us. Next weekend (Sept. 21) we’ll be in San Antonio.
The Bridal Extravaganza is the perfect place to plan your wedding. Whether you are at the beginning of your planning cycle or nearer the end, you can still get a lot of help and great ideas at the shows. Here are some tips to make the most of your show experience:
- Be prepared. Have as much information regarding your wedding as possible. Know your date, how many guests you are thinking about and most importantly, your budget.
- Don’t come alone. Bring a friend, family member and most definitely your groom (or bride as the case may be).
- Dress comfortably. You are in for a lot of walking.
- Bring your credit card/check book. Most (if not all) the professionals at the show will be having day-of-show specials. If you can make a decision during the day, chances are you’ll save some money.
- Bring a camera. You’ll many stunning displays and you may want to take photos to look at later when you are making a decision. Always ask the professional first.
- Bring a great attitude. This is one of the most exciting times of your life. Come to the show and enjoy it!
So don’t miss the Bridal Extravaganza. Tickets are still available. We’ll see you there!