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Photography: Moodyography | Venue & Florals: HighPointe Estate | Planning & Photo Booth: Ashley Nicole Affair | Catering & Bar: Rosemary's Catering | Cakes: Cakes ROCK!!! | DJ: Premier Entertainment Group | Videography: Photohouse Films | Stationery: To Have and to Hold | Dessert: Amy's Ice Creams

As seen in Brides of Austin Fall 2022 Edition and Carats and Cake Featured on Carats & Cake Vendor Contributions: ​Photography: Feather & Twine | Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Catering, Bar & Venue: Camp Lucy | Florist: The Farmer & I | Hair: Hannah Zahner Beauty | Makeup: Marisa Warren Artistry | Band: Matchmaker Band | Musician: Sienna String Quartet | Baker/Cake: Nothing Bundt Cakes | Photo Booth: Pixster | Lighting: Brighter Side Event Lighting | Transportation: Limos of Austin | Beer Burros: Ralph Fisher's Photo Animals

If you’re looking to bring some extra style to your wedding day, rentals are the way to go! There are so many options for rentals to level up your big day and we’re here to walk you through your options! CEREMONY RENTALS A ceremony arch or backdrop can help your ceremony feel extra special! There are so many shapes and sizes and they can be decorated with greenery or flowers . Or, instead of using an arch you can also use columns and/or pedestals to cover with florals and candles and create an eye-catching ceremony spot. Aisle runners can be a super fun option for your ceremony site. You can go the more traditional route with a long aisle runner or you can spice it up a little by layering vintage-style rugs all the way down your aisle! Your guests will need a place to sit of course! If you’re getting married in a church, seating is taken care of, but if not there are a ton of different styles of chairs you can choose from, or your venue might already provide them. A lot of the time they will need to be repurposed and moved to your reception tables. Depending on your venue or style, you might want to take a different route and rent rustic benches, church pews, or even hay bales! COCKTAIL HOUR RENTALS Most wedding tend to have a cocktail hour where guests can mingle and enjoy drinks and appetizers while the couple takes photos. This one may seem obvious, but we highly recommend renting cocktail tables for your guests. They offer extra space for drinks and plates and additional areas for guests to gather around. Lounge furniture is a really cool way to not only offer comfy seating for your guests, but it’s also a great way to add some color and style to your wedding. Lounge furniture can be added inside or outside. We often have couples rent lounge furniture for outdoors areas. We see everything from large sofas to stylish arm chairs and side tables. RECEPTION RENTALS Any rentals you have from your ceremony and cocktail hour can usually be repurposed and/or moved for your reception which is great! There are some reception specific things you may want to consider. You have a couple different options when it comes to tables. You can choose round tables or rectangular tables with linens , or you can rent farmhouse tables. With farmhouse tables you typically do not put linens on them, and stick to maybe a table runner and centerpieces only. It all depends on the vibe you are going for. Speaking of linens, there are so many different options when it comes to linens and napkins for your big day. There are a ton of colors, and textures to choose from, so just keep in mind your color scheme and wedding style if you’re choosing linens! Flatware , dinnerware and chargers are a few other things to consider for your reception. Again there are so many options to choose from, so keep in mind the overall vibe you want for your wedding when making your selections EXTRAS Your venue will of course already have some lighting, but you can always rent more! Festoon/string lights and candles always add a nice ambiance to any space. You could also consider renting up lighting to highlight trees or architectural features or to just bring some color onto your dance floor! Neon Signs are a great way to bring in some extra style to your wedding. They not only look cool but can also make for a fun place for your guests to take photos when hung on a wall or backdrop. Mirrors a nd other décor are also something to consider. Mirrors can be used for signage or seating displays and there are tons of other kinds of décor that can be added through your venue to really complete the look you are going for. A few examples could be lanterns, vintage suitcases, baskets, card displays, etc. Everyone loves photo booths! There are actual booths you have to step into or open air photo booths with a backdrop. Most photo booths come with props and the ability to get the photos sent to your guests digitally. There are definitely more rental options than we listed here but these are all great options if you’re interested in renting some special items to bring your wedding vision to life. Be sure to talk to your venue and make sure everything you’re wanting is allowed. Also be sure to let your planner know about anything your planning on renting and they can help give suggestions or recommendations based on their expertise. Happy planning! Photography: Brandi Allyse Photo | Moodyography | Two Pair Photography | Katy Rox Photography | Hyde Park Photography | Dani Quiroz Photography

This topic doesn’t seem to be talked about much, but it should be! Accessories like shoes , veils and jewelry can make you feel prettier in your gown, so there's nothing wrong with feeling better in your wedding dress because you might be using a flattering undergarment to fit the shape of your dress, too. There are so many different kinds of dresses so naturally there are many different types of undergarments & shape wear. Here are some tips to help you choose your shape wear depending on your wedding day look! Do You Need Shape Wear? Of course not! This is completely up to you. Shape wear isn't necessary, but can be helpful for women of all shapes & sizes to achieve the look they're aiming for in their dream dress. Depending on the style of your dress and how comfortable you feel in it, you may want just a little something to help shape you, more than one undergarment or nothing at all. Choose your Dress Obviously you will need to choose your dress first to know what kind of shapewear you may want. When you say yes to the dress, a good rule of thumb would be to ask the bridal shop you bought your dress at what they recommend. They may even have something in store that you can try on which is super helpful! If what they recommend isn’t jiving with you, no worries! You can definitely check other bridal shops or online stores for something more up your alley. *Pro-Tip: Make sure you test out your shape wear with your dress before your big day. Walk around your house for a little bit and make sure it looks right and feels comfortable. Keep your receipt so you can exchange it if you need to! Shapewear Qualities to Look For: - Structure: You definitely want shapewear that will stay put and not roll up or roll down. This is soooo important especially since you’ll be wearing your wedding attire for several hours and dancing the night away! - Silhouette: You’ll want to make sure your shapewear matches the silhouette of your wedding dress. You do not want to have to keep adjusting yourself to make you’re your shape wear isn’t showing all night. - Color: Keep the color of your shapewear in mind, especially if you have any lace or cutouts in your dress. Typically, you should try and find shapewear that matches your skin tone. - Comfort: Last but not least, the shapewear you choose needs to be comfortable! There is nothing worse than wearing something uncomfortable for several hours. Your Dress Style Your dress style will definitely determine what kind of undergarments you may want. Here is a simple guide to get you started! - Deep-V: If your dress has a deep V in the front, consider something like this bodysuit from Spanx. This will give you the structure you want while allowing that sexy detail of your dress to shine. - Low Back: If your dress has a low back, consider something like this bodysuit from Item. It has adjustable straps so you can find the best way it works with your dress. - Flowy: If your dress is a flowy style, consider something like this half-slip from Bare Necessities. It will help your flowy dress not get stuck between your legs while walking down the aisle or while getting your groove on the dance floor. - Leg Slit: If your dress has a high leg slit, opt for something like this high-low short from Skims. How cool is this?! - Strapless: If you have a strapless dress, you might want to stick with something simple like this strapless bodysuit by Wacoal. *Pro-Tip: If you don’t want or need shape wear but you do want *something* for your lovely lady lumps, check with the alterations department to see if some cups can be added into the bodice of your dress. If that is not an option, don’t forget about sticky bras and nipple covers! There are a ton of styles and colors for these. We hope these tips make shape wear shopping a little easier! Remember that the most important thing is that you feel comfortable in whatever you choose so you can enjoy your wedding day in style and comfort! Photography: Brooke Taelor | Jesse Frazier Photography | Of Bare Bones | Frankie Gomez Photography | Sarah Stip Photography & Films | Sarah KJ Photography | Gloria Goode Photography | Brandi Allyse Photo | The Teagues

For some, they have dreamt about their wedding day since they were little and have everything planned out. For others, it may not come that easy. Are you struggling to find wedding songs for specific moments of your wedding day? We are here to help! Here are some ideas to help get you started. Keep in mind these are just some ideas, definitely customize your wedding songs and music to fit your taste! Ceremony Canon in D by Pachelbel is about as classic as it gets. It is a wonderful song for walking down the aisle, it just works! At Last by Etta James has the perfect lyrics for a ceremony: “At last, my love has come along. My lonely days are over. And life is like a song.” Perfection. A Thousand Years by Christina Perri was made popular by Twilight (don’t pretend like you’re not a fan!) and the lyrics from this song also make it a beautiful ceremony song. Que fairy table vibes. The Winner Is by Mychael Danna and DeVotchKa will add a touch of whimsy but also includes some dreamy and romantic violin that you can time perfectly for when you walk down the aisle. Marry You by Bruno Mars would be a super fun song to walk or dance down the aisle too! This song would be perfect for a couple going for a less traditional wedding. *Keep in mind you can choose more than one song for your ceremony, it’s completely up to you! Just make sure your DJ or musicians know when to play each song! Grand Entrance This Will Be (An Everlasting Love) by Natalie King Cole is such a fun and happy song and would be a perfect grand entrance song! Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) by Stevie Wonder is definitely a classic option and won’t disappoint! Happy by Pharrell Williams would be an awesome song to dance your way into your reception. Best I Ever Had by Drake would be a great entrance song if you’re also introducing your wedding party. You might even consider giving your wedding party some props like sunglasses to add a little extra flare. If you have a lot of kids at your wedding, you might want to request the “clean version.” Don’t Stop 'Til You Get Enough by Michael Jackson is almost guaranteed to have all your guests dancing with you as you make your grand entrance. You can’t help but move your hips when you hear this classic song! Shut Up and Dance by Walk the Moon is another song guaranteed to get your guests dancing out of their seats with you as you enter into your reception as newlyweds. *Don’t forget to also consider these for your reception playlist! Couple’s First Dance Can't Help Falling in Love by Elvis Presley is an oldie but goodie in every way. You can’t go wrong with this one! Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran is another song for all the romantics out there. These lyrics are golden! Amazed by Lonestar is a great option for country lovers. It’s such a sweet song and will have your guests singing along as you enjoy your first dance together. I Don't Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith is a classic rock love song that never gets old! The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra would be a great song if you’re wanting to do a choreographed first dance. Who doesn’t love some Frank?! Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez is quickly taking over the internet and for good reason. It’s a great ballad with a 1950s sound that is hard not to love! *If you love the lyrics to a particular song but not necessarily the sound, search for covers of it and you might find a version that fits your taste a little better. Parent/Loved One/Daughter/Son Dance My Wish by Rascal Flats is such a sweet song but don’t forget your tissues with this one! I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack is another one we have to mention. Its touching lyrics make it a great song for this special moment. Because You Loved Me by Celine Dion .... we’re tearing up just thinking about this one, so good! My Little Girl by Tim McGraw would be such a sweet song for a father/daughter dance. Forever Young by Bob Dylan is another great song to consider for this special dance. *Keep in mind that for these slower dances, you can always ask your Band or DJ to shorten the songs a little. We hope this list helps you find the perfect song you’re looking for or at least sparks some other ideas for you! Good luck! Photography: Ann Mark Photo | HER Photography | Moodyography | Brandi Allyse Photo

First and foremost, if you have lost someone close to you we are sending you the biggest hug. Not having a loved one on your wedding day is extremely difficult. It can sometimes make wedding planning feel even more overwhelming. We know how that feels from personal experience and we wanted to help give you some ideas on how to honor your late loved ones on your wedding day. Reserve a Seat at your Ceremony Reserving a seat for your loved one is a great way to make them a part of your wedding day. You can print your favorite photo of them and put it in a nice frame and place it on a seat for them in the front row. Using a Piece of their clothing Another great way to incorporate a late loved one would be to use an item of their clothing during your wedding day. Some examples would be a bride wearing her grandma’s wedding dress , or using part of her mom’s dress to wrap around the stems of her bouquet. It could be a groom wearing his dad’s favorite shirt under his tux or keeping his grandpa’s handkerchief in his pocket. The options are endless and it might make you feel like they are right beside you on your special day. Using a Piece of their Jewelry Similar to the suggestion above, wearing your grandma or mother’s ring, earrings or necklace would be a beautiful way to honor a late loved one. Wearing your grandpa or father’s cufflinks or watch would be another great example. Bouquet and Boutonniere Charms These are becoming more popular and they are such a great option. There are many different kinds of charms you can add to a bouquet or boutonniere . Some are mini picture frames you can add photos to and some are just engraved with someone’s name. The charms are a great way to hold your loved ones close on your wedding day and also incorporate them into your wedding photos as well. Incorporating their Favorite Song Incorporating a late loved one’s favorite song into your wedding could be a great option. Or maybe you could use the song to walk down the aisle to, or perhaps end the night with. We hope you find these suggestions helpful and we wish you the most beautiful wedding day. Photography: Nikk Nguyen Photo | Main Squeeze Photography | Twinty Photography | Moodyography | Sun Gold Photography | Local Embers | Curation Studios | Brittyn Elizabeth Photography

Austin has quickly become a destination wedding hot spot and for good reason. With great weather most of the year and a ton of awesome things for your out of town guests to do and see, it just makes sense! However, planning a destination wedding in a place you’re unfamiliar with can be a daunting task – that’s where we come in. We are here to provide you with our top tips on planning a wedding here in the great Capital of Texas. Create Your Vision Board We have a whole blog post on this here . This will help you establish the style of wedding you want! Find Your Austin Wedding Planner This might be the most important thing you can do for yourself to help ensure you’re not a total stress ball leading up to your wedding day . Hit us up, we’ve got you covered! But in all seriousness, your wedding planner will know Austin and its vendors well and will be able to help guide you to the ones that fit your style and vision. Book a Trip If at all possible, book a trip to Austin ASAP! Be sure to set up as many in-person appointments while you’re here. Meet your planner in person, do some venue tours , do a catering/cake tasting and check out any rentals you’re considering. If you’ve already found your photographer by the time you visit, this would also be a great time to take some bridal or engagement photos . Also consider planning a date or two together checking out some popular local spots and activities so you know some fun things to recommend to your guests when they come to town. Check out this blog post with tons of things to do in Austin! Secure Your Vendors Vendors in Austin get booked fast and far in advance, sometimes even a year or more in advance. So make sure you get the vendors you want booked as soon as you can. Once this task is off your plate, be sure to regularly check in with your vendors. Your planner will help guide you through the rest of the planning process. Book Your Wedding Flights Figure out when you’d like to come into Austin before your wedding day. If possible, consider coming in a couple days before your wedding. This way if there are any last minute things you need or want to do in person you will have the time. You’ll also need to figure out if you’re going to hang around Austin for a couple days after your wedding to hang out with friends and family, or if you’re flying home or straight to your honeymoon . Once you’ve got a plan in place book your flights so you can check another important item off your list. Be sure to let your guests know as well so they can also plan their flights accordingly. ------- Feeling a little overwhelmed? We get it – there are a TON of amazing vendors in Austin and it can be hard to know where to start. Here is a list of some vendors we highly recommend to get you started. And of course, feel free to contact us any time! We would love the opportunity to help you plan your Austin destination wedding! Venues: The Addison Grove Villa Antonia Camp Lucy Barr Mansion The Arlo Photographers: Joanna & Brett Photography Main Squeeze Photography Vanessa Joy Photography Sarah KJ Photography Cory Ryan Photography DJs: Premier Entertainment Group Exodus Sound Co. Austin Classic DJ Hype Rhythym Full Scope Catering: Rosemary's Catering Royal Fig PEJ The Peached Tortilla Austin Catering Hair/Makeup: Adore Makeup Salon Lux Beauty + Bridal Katy Reddell Beauty Bonita Brides Silk + Glow

Your wedding day is one of the most important days in your life, and one that you will want to remember for years to come. That’s why it’s so important to hire a professional photographer. Professional photographers have the experience and equipment to help you capture all of the moments from your special day in beautiful, high-quality photographs. Here are some of the top reasons why professional photography is essential for your wedding or engagement, brought to you by Ashley Nicole Affair . Professionals Use High-Quality Equipment Professional photographers know how to use a variety of different types of equipment, including lighting, lenses, digital cameras, and other pieces of technology needed for taking beautiful photos on your big day. This means that they can capture shots that you may not be able to get with a phone camera or amateur equipment. Not only that, but they're skilled at editing photos using professional-grade digital tools. They Can Help You Manage Stress on Your Big Day A professional photographer can take some of the pressure off you and your family members by helping manage guests and stay organized throughout the day. They can help keep everyone on track while also guiding conversations between family members and friends who do not know each other well so that everyone feels comfortable during photos taken at the event. This means you can just enjoy the day, especially if you also have help from a professional wedding planner. They Can Give Tips for Creative Poses and Unique Shots A professional photographer will know what poses look best for each couple or group photo, as well as which angles work best for different types of shots. They will also have ideas about how to make pictures more creative and unique so that they stand out from other wedding photos. A professional photographer can help you create stunning images that will last a lifetime. They Can Help Make Your Wedding Party Feel Special One great thing about having a professional photographer at your wedding is that they can help make sure all members of your wedding party feel special during their time in front of the camera. For example, if there are children in attendance, they can give them tips on how to smile naturally or make them laugh so that their faces look natural when photographed. They can also provide guidance on how to position people in order to get the perfect shot every time. Make The Most Of The Final Images The final images from your wedding should be high-quality enough that you can use them for various creative projects after your big day has passed. For example, you could create an album or canvas print with these images as a way to commemorate this special occasion forever. Here are just a few things you can do with your finished photos: You can make a fun thank-you card , holiday card, or greeting card using your wedding photos. This is easy to do with Adobe’s free tools. Just choose the template you like and pick a photo that goes well with the layout. Ready to share your wedding day with social media followers? Create a stunning Instagram collage using the best pics from your big day. This is a great way to engage followers and include them in your celebration. Create a slideshow to share with friends and family, or just to view yourself on your computer. You can even add fun music along with your favorite shots from your wedding day. Use text in a font that will elevate your images in an elegant way. Make a sweet Valentine’s Day card for your spouse using a great shot of the two of you from the big day. Not only is this a great memento, it’s easy to do. Just upload the image and use the tool to add fun or romantic text. Hiring a professional photographer is essential if you want to ensure that lasting memories from your special day are captured forever in high-quality images. Professionals have experience with various types of high-end equipment, which allows them to capture unique shots no matter what kind of environment they’re shooting in. Additionally, these professionals are experienced when it comes to managing stress levels and providing tips on creative poses or unique shots during weddings and engagements, which ensures everyone in attendance looks their absolute best. Ready to start planning your big day? Get in touch with Ashley Nicole Affair to talk about your vision for the ceremony and reception. Photography: Sarah Tribett Photography | Brooke Taelor Photography | Brandi Allyse Photo | Julia Sonat Photography | Jesse Frazier Photo

Boudoir photo shoots are becoming more popular, but is it for you? That completely depends on you. Here are some fun facts and tips to help you figure out if a boudoir shoot is something you would be interested in. Photography by Of Bare Bones What does Boudoir mean? According to Merriam-Webster.com, Boudoir is a French word that means a lady's dressing room. What is the history of Boudoir Photography? According to coutureboudoir.com, it all started during the roaring 20s when cameras entered the chat. Albert Arthur Allen was an artist who was intent on changing the course of photography and women's body image. At this time, nude photography was illegal, but Allen dared to photograph women posing "scandalously" in front of ornate backdrops. In the 1940s "pin up girls" became very popular posing in corsets and men's ties. In the 1970s photography began to carve a niche for itself in the art world and boudoir photography became even more acceptable as women wanted to claim control of their bodies. Do I need to do a Boudoir Shoot? Absolutely not! Only do one if you are comfortable doing one. These types of photo sessions have come a long way and you have a lot of options with how you choose to do it. You can do a very classic style where you can keep it sweet and leave a lot up for the imagination or you can be a little more risqué . Some people might even choose a specific theme to stick with or some may choose to do a boudoir shoot with their significant other. The choice is yours! How do I choose the photographer? Ask your wedding photographer if they do these types of photography sessions. This is a great opportunity to use your hair and make up trial on the day of the photo shoot, so you can see how the hair and make up photographs. If your photographer does not offer boudoir, ask who they recommend! What do I do with the photos? Whatever you want! You can give them to your partner as a gift (sexy calendar anyone?) or you can just keep them for you, because why not!?

You have meticulously selected a photographer and/or videographer for your big day, congrats! Most photographers take at least 3-4 weeks to get your wedding photos back to you, and videography can take even longer. While you’re waiting for your stunning professional photos/videos, why not be able to take a look at all the photos and videos your guests took? We are going to break down a few options on how you can do this and re-live your wedding the next day! Google Drive This one might be the easiest option since pretty much everyone has access to Google and it wouldn’t require anyone to download an app. You would create a Google Drive link for your guests to add their photos/videos and put it on your wedding website. Easy! Just make sure you make the link pubic so anyone can add to it. You don’t want to get a hundred “request to access” emails the next day! App: WedBox This app is great for people who love organization. Prior to your wedding day you can set up categories for your guests so you can easily access the photos/videos from each part of your wedding that you’re looking for. Another cool thing about this app is its only multi-language wedding photo app on the market. This means that your guests will see the app in their local language, no matter where they are from. There is a free version of this app, but depending on what you want you may want to pay for one of their packages. App: Ceremony This app not only allows you to collect photos and videos from your guests, but you can also message your guests too. Just invite your guests to use the app, share details such as the time and date of your rehearsal dinner or reception, and stay connected with the in-app messaging feature. Then, as your guests enjoy every event leading up to and on your wedding day, they can share memorable photos and videos with you. App: Whatsapp This is a global group chat messaging app that is great for weddings with guests from around the world. You can create different group chats for out-of-town guests, family, and specific activities. This way, guests don’t get overwhelmed with messages that aren’t relevant to their wedding weekend experience. Guests can also send photos and videos in this app, much like texting. It won’t be as organized as a wedding-specific app, but it’s still a great tool to use for your guests to share their memories with you. Facebook Messenger This is a great option because like Google Drive, you can use the app or a computer. There are probably some technologically challenged people in your life (Hey Grandma!) that might really appreciate not having to figure out how to use an app to share their photos with you. You can also create one or multiple group chats. Maybe you want to create one for family and one for friends, the photos might look quite different! App: Voxer This app is a lot like the other wedding apps, but it has a fun feature where guests can also send real time voice messages in addition to photos and videos. You’ll probably have some pretty funny messages to give you a laugh the next morning! *Don’t forget to let your vendors know about your photo sharing options! They are likely taking photos throughout the night as well for their social media and behind the scenes and will surely share their photos with you! Photography: Brooke Taelor | Ann Mark Photo | Two Pair Photography

You’ve just gotten married and went on your honeymoon , and now you’re back at home trying to figure out what to do with some of your most important wedding items. Rather than just put them in the back of your closet, think about preserving them correctly so they can stand the test of time. Here are a few places to start! Your Wedding Dress Most likely, you spent a good chunk of change on your wedding dress. Don’t let it wither away in the back of your closet! One of the easiest ways to preserve your dress is to find a company who does it all for you, like Affordable Preservation Company . According to The Knot , they are the #1 top rated wedding dress preservation company. All you have to do is select your package on their website. They send you the shipping materials to safely send them your dress and they take care of the rest! Your Wedding Bouquet There are many ways to preserve your bouquet but our favorite is to press your flowers. You can definitely DIY this , but we recommend finding a company like Pressed Flowers . You only get one chance at preserving your flowers so we recommend trusting a professional to ensure you can keep this work of art forever! Another way to preserve your bouquet would be to dry it out and put it inside a shadow box. Very simple but easy to do! Another option would be to use the flowers from your bouquet in an epoxy resin. Again this is something you could do yourself, but to be extra sure it works out we suggest hiring a professional. Leman Floral on Etsy creates custom ring holders and coasters with her clients flowers and they are gorgeous! Family Heirlooms Were you gifted any family heirlooms to wear on your wedding day? This could be older heirlooms like jewelry, a watch or cufflinks or even something you’re planning on turning into a family heirloom like a hair accessory or custom handkerchief. Be sure to take special care of these items and keep them all together. Put them all in a sealed, labeled box and consider putting them in a fireproof safe. Doing this will keep those special items protected until you’re ready to pass them on. Your Vows Not everyone hires a videographer for their wedding (although we HIGHLY recommend it! ) and you may forget to keep the paper your vows were written on, or maybe you just said your vows straight from the heart in the moment. Vows are an important part of your marriage and you don’t want to forget what they were! Consider typing them up to print and frame them in your home together, or include them in your wedding album. You can even purchase little vow books to write your vows in to keep forever! Photography: Cloud Craft Studios