SEARCH RESULTS

Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair Ceremony: New City Church Venue: Olympus Event Center Photography: The Livelys DJ: DeNakius Band Catering: M'tucci's Rentals: AA Events & Tents

Vendor Contributions: Photography: Dani Quiroz | Venue: Stonehouse Villa | Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Florist: Fleur Affair Co. | Catering + Bar: Branded Ash Grazing Co. | Baker/Cake: Casa Costa Bake Shop | Hair/MUA: Darling and Dapper | DJ: DJ the Mood | Ceremony Musician: Texas Wedding Cellist | Mariachi: Mariachi Clasico | Videography: Huckleberry Wedding Films | Late Night Snack: Whataburger | Transportation: Baby Blue Drives for You

Planning + Photo Booth: Ashley Nicole Affair Photography: Brandi Allyse Photography Venue + Bar: The Addison Grove Florist: White's Floral Design Hair/MUA: Lola Beauty Catering: Royal Fig Catering Desserts: The Cupcake Bar Draping: Unique Events & Design Lighting: Brighter Side Event Lighting DJ: Premier Austin DJs Dress: Annika Bridal Signage: Green Girl ATX Marquee Letters: Alpha Lit Austin Officiant: The Knot Tyer Guest Book: After The Tone Transportation: Fly Rides ATX ⁠

Full Service Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair Venue/Catering: Camp Lucy (Sacred Oaks) Photography: Amber Vickery Photography Videography: Moonlit Weddings Florist: Christie Turner Designs Musician: Terra Vista Strings DJ/Band: DJ Chosen Cake: Rose Haven Donut: Mochinut Rentals: Whim Hospitality Casino Tables: Elite Casino Event Photo Booth: Oh Happy Day Transportation: Your Day Charters

Trying to decide if you want to do a first look before your wedding ceremony can be a hard decision! We are here to help! In this blog post we will go over what a first look is as well as some fun alternatives! WHAT IS A FIRST LOOK? A first look is when the couple decides to see each other before the ceremony. This can help calm any nerves but also allows you to take a ton more photos prior to the ceremony leaving more time to party afterwards! However, not everyone is a fan so we have put together some other ideas for you! FIRST TOUCH This is when a couple will typically stand on either side of a door or wall and without seeing each other, get a chance to hold hands and talk to each other or exchange private vows for a few moments before the ceremony. EXCHANGING NOTES/GIFTS Some couples like to write each other a personal note and/or send each other a gift prior to the ceremony. Get ready for the water works! *Pro-tip: If you have a videographer, make sure they know this in advance and that they are there when each of you reads your note, especially with a microphone! FIRST LOOK WITH PARENTS/FAMILY Some couples opt to have a first look with one or both of their parents. It is so sweet to see a parent’s reaction to their child all dressed up in their wedding attire for the first time! We've also seen first looks with other family members, like younger siblings and kiddos who get to see their mom looking like a real life princess! FIRST LOOK WITH WEDDING PARTY Sometimes couples choose to have a first look with their bridesmaids or groomsmen! It is always fun to see these photos, and everyone's different reactions. SURPRISE FIRST LOOK Every now and then we have a creative couple who does something completely unexpected. How would you react if you thought you were about to have a first look with your future partner and instead you turn around to a groomsman in a gown or dinosaur costume instead?! We love when our *cheeky* brides surprise their partner with a little booty grab, too! No matter which route you choose, your wedding day is going to be a wonderful day you’ll never forget! Photography: Dani Quiroz | Carhart Photography | Ann Mark Photo | A Sea of Love | Moodyography | Brandi Allyse Photo

Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Main Squeeze Photography | Ceremony Venue: St. Mary Cathedral | Reception Venue: Vista on Seward Hill | Catering + Bar: Courtney's Catering | Florist: Wild Bunches Floral | Cake: Michelle's Patisserie | Hair + Makeup: Lola Beauty ATX | DJ: Texas Pro DJ | Stationery: Green Girl Design Co. | Rentals: Monarch Events ; Premiere Events | Beer Burros: Sweet Magnolia Events | Hotel: Austin Marriott Downtown |. Transportation: Lux Limo | Bridal Salon: Melange Bridal & RK Bridal | Yard Games: Austin Yard Games

Vendor Contributions: Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair Photography: Ann Mark Photo Venue: Mattie's Florist: Kismet Flowers Catering, Bar & Cake: Mattie's Hair/Makeup: Cassidy Elise Artistry Musician/Band: New Dawn Entertainment ; The Austin Nines Rentals: Loot Rentals ; Premiere Events Lighting: Tomei Electric Hotel: South Congress Hotel Stationery/Signage: Green Girl Design Co. Transportation: Austin Charter Services

If you’re considering having a plated meal with different entree options for your wedding, there are several things you need to consider. Don’t let that scare you though! Plated meals take a bit more effort to plan for than a buffet, but can be amazing as long as you’re planning for them correctly. Here are some tips and tricks! YOUR INVITATIONS If you're doing a plated meal with entree options for guests, you will have needed to decide if you’re doing so before you order your invitations. The reason being that you’ll need to include your meal options, or at least the “gist” of your meal options on your invitations, and a spot where guests can let you know if they have any dietary restrictions, allergies, or if kids will be attending. It will also be crucial to know the exact amount of people coming so be sure to clearly state how many guests are invited on each invitation. This was you’ll have no unexpected plus ones. TALK TO YOUR CATERER You will need to talk to your caterer about any special meals they offer for people with allergies or food preferences, like gluten free or vegan meals, as well as their kid’s meal options. When you get your RSVPs back, be sure to triple check the number of each kind of meal (i.e. chicken, beef, gluten free) so your caterer can order the correct amount of food and the ingredients they may need for any special meals. ASSIGNED TABLES For a plated meal you will need to have assigned tables with a corresponding seating chart/escort display visible to guests during cocktail hour. This is very important for the wait staff since they will be bringing out a specific number of each type of meal based on who is sitting at each table. Usually your wedding planner will draw up a diagram for you to give to your catering staff, but sometimes the catering staff may take care of this on their own. This chart will let them know how many chairs and place settings go at each table as well as how many of each dish needs to be brought to each table. Sometimes a list accompanies the chart to make it even easier when the catering staff is plating your meals, for example: Table 1: 4 beef, 2 chicken, 1 vegan Table 2: 5 beef, 1 chicken, 2 kids PLACE CARDS If guests are choosing their entree or have allergy options, it's a good idea to have place cards made so each guest knows which seat they need to sit at. The place cards will also serve the purpose of letting the wait staff know which dish to place in front of each person. You will basically need to come up with some kind of “code” that lets the wait staff know which people have ordered each kind of meal. One way to do this is to color code your place cards to match your wedding colors. For example, anyone who’s place card is maroon ordered beef, white cards mean chicken& green cards mean vegetarian, etc. We have seen people include little stamps of a cow, a chicken or a leaf, or even just writing a B, C or V on the corners of each card. Whatever “code” you choose, definitely make sure it is noticeable enough. Often times there is dim lighting when dinner is being served and you don’t want the wait staff leaning over your guests with large trays of food trying to figure out who gets what. Make is as easy as possible for the wait staff so your guests get smooth and seamless service. OTHER THINGS TO KEEP ON YOUR MIND It is really helpful if you can ask your DJ to make an announcement right before dinner is being served for guests to please stay seated during dinner service. There are usually multiple staff members with large trays of food having to walk between tables and it’s much easier for them to get the food to the tables if they are not having to dodge guests. Keep in mind that with a plated meal there are usually no seconds. These tips will surely help your plated dinner be a success! Photography: Two Pair Photography | Feather & Twine | Ann Mark Photo | Ailin Rachael Hyde | Sarah Tribett Photography | Riley Glenn Photography | Brandi Allyse Photography | Nikk Nguyen Photography | Sarah KJ Photography | Caitlin Rose Photography | Brooke Taelor Photography

Vendor Contributions: Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Ailin Rachael Hyde Photo | Venue/Bar: The Addison Grove | Catering: Royal Fig | Cake/Dessert: Hayley Cakes and Cookies | Florist: Forsythia Florals | Hair/MUA: Mission Stylehouse | DJ: Austin Classic DJ | Videography: New Road Productions | Transportation: Global Chauffeur Service | Late Night Snack: Dominos

Getting married is so exciting but it can also be really overwhelming. There are so many ways you can go with your style, décor and colors. Check out our tips below for how to create your own inspiration board to help figure out your wedding style! 1. Talk to your partner about what you want your wedding to feel like. What words come to mind if you were to describe your dream wedding? Spend some time writing these down to start to create your vision. (Based on the photos below you may write down "Bright, orange, whimsical wedding") 2. Create a Pinterest. This is the easiest way to keep all of your ideas and inspiration in one place. You can create boards (which are like folders) for each aspect of your wedding like flowers, wedding dress, cake and even gift ideas for your wedding party. 3. Remember those words you wrote down to describe your dream wedding? Use those words to type in the Pinterest search box to help you look for ideas that fit in with the feel you want for your wedding. Using the example from above, you'd type in "bright, orange, whimsical wedding" and Pinterest would give you immediate inspo. 4. Add photos you find outside of Pinterest to your Pinterest Boards! If you’ve already chosen your venue, you can look on their website for ideas from past weddings. Or maybe you’re scrolling Instagram and see something you love. Just screenshot and save any photos you want to save and upload them to the correct boards on your Pinterest. 5. Pinterest is such a useful tool not only for you but also for your vendors. You can use your Pinterest boards to communicate exactly what you’re looking for to your vendors. You can send your Pinterest to your photographer to show them photo ideas you love, or to your florist to see if they can make your floral dreams come true. Get to pinning and good luck! Photography: Feather & Twine

Vendor Contributions: Planning/Photo Booth: Ashley Nicole Affair | Venue/Bar: The Hummingbird House | Florist: Whites Floral Design | Catering/Bar: The Peached Tortilla | Alcohol: Specs | Hair/MUA: Adore Makeup Salon | DJ: Premier Entertainment | Cake: HEB | Photography: Moodyography | Videography: Photo House Films | Transportation: 4 Leaf Limo

Photography: Of Bare Bones Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair Venue: The Addison Grove Florist: Native Bloom Floral Hair & Makeup: Bonita Brides Catering: PEJ Events Rentals: Premiere Events Lounge: Bee Lavish DJ: Premier Entertainment Group Lighting: Brighter Side Event Lighting Tattoo Artist: Travis Sleeper