Full Service Planning: @ashleynicoleaffair | Ashley Nicole Affair Venue: @woodbinemansion | Woodbine Mansion Photography: @jburgosphoto | Jennise Burgos Photography Florist: @fleuraffairco | Fleur Affair DJ/Band: @toastentertainment | Toast Entertainment Catering/Bar: @rootcellarcateringco | Root Cellar Catering Cake:@ Sweet Tea Treats Hair/MUA: @blushnbangsco | Blush N Bangs Rentals: @marquee_rents | Marquee Event Rentals Bounce House: @modernpartyandplayco | Modern Party & Play Co Lighting: @altared_weddings | Altared Weddings & Events Dance Floor: @glamoureventx |Glamour Event Rentals Nanny: @joviegreateraustin | Jovie Nannies + Sitters Transportation: @4leaflimoatx | 4 Leaf Limo

Full Service Planning: @ashleynicoleaffair Venue/Catering: @vintagevillas Photography: @timwatersweddings Videography: @photohousefilms Florist: @goodseedfloral DJ/Band: @toastentertainment Cake: @kaylaknightcakes Gelato: @dolce_bacio Hair/MUA: @lolabeautyatx Rentals: @premiereeventstx Officiant: @spokenheartceremonies

Featured on: Brides & Weddings Magazine ; Boho Weddings ; Strictly Weddings Wedding Day Photography: @amosleyphoto Detail Photography: @taydanayphotography Official Vendor Credits: Planning: @ashleynicoleaffair⁠ Venue: @villa_antonia Day of Photography: @amosleyphoto Day of Videography: @rebeccalynnfilms Florist: @fleuraffairco DJ/Lighting: Bryan Rangel Catering: @cateringbymopsie Cake/Dessert: @cathyscakeboutique Hair/MUA: @madexthem Rentals: @premiereeventstx Officiant: @theknottyer Cold Sparks: @bigdogpyro Signage: @designtoflourish Mariachi: @mariachiatx Glam Booth: @ashleynicoleaffair⁠ Transportation: @lux.limo.atx

Full Service Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair Venue/Catering/Bar: Barr Mansion Photography/Videography: Burken. Co Florist: Jo.an Floral Design DJ/Band: Hype Rhythm Hair/MUA: Katy Reddell Beauty Coffee: Luna Espresso Rentals: Premiere Events  / Loot Rentals Invitations/Signage: Green Girl Design Co Transportation: Around Austin

Full Service Planning: @ashleynicoleaffair Venue: @eventsatthearlo Photography: @mainsqueezephotographyhttps Videography: @photohousefilms Florist: @reveriefloristry DJ/Lighting: @djbrianweber13 Catering/Bar: @pej_events Cake: @sweettreetsbakery Late Night Snack: @via313pizza Hair/MUA: @luxbeautyandbridal Rentals: @premiereeventstx Officiant: Chris Roob @redrocksaustin Cold Sparks: @bigdogpyro Marquee Letters: @alphalitaustin Dance Floor: @centerstage_floors Content Creator: @dewitcontentco Stationery: @greengirlatx Signage: @jenkrausepaperco Transportation: @4leaflimoatx

Photography: A Sea of Love | Planning : Ashley Nicole Affair | Venue: The Union on Eighth | Florist: ACC Floral Fete | Catering: Via 313 | Hair/MUA: Silk and Glow | Desserts: Amy's Ice Creams & Tiff's Treats | Bartenders: Elevate Bartending

Full Service Planning: @ashleynicoleaffair | Ashley Nicole Affair Venue: @villa_antonia | Villa Antonia Photography: @mainsqueezephotography | Main Squeeze Photography Florist: @fleuraffairco | Fleur Affair DJ/Band: @thelittleweddingband | The Little Wedding Band Catering: @austincatering| Austin Catering Cake/Dessert:@michellespatisserie | Michelle’s Patisserie Hair/MUA: @lolabeautyatx | Lola Beauty Rentals: @premiereeventstx | Premiere Events Cold Sparks: @bigdogpyro |  Big Dog Pyro Stationery: @pinkchampagnedesigns | Pink Champagne Designs Transportation: @fetii | Fetii

Full Service Planning: @ashleynicoleaffair Venue: @eventsatthearlo Photography: @brittynelizabeth.studios Videography: @photohousefilms Florist: @nativebloomfloral Band: @moontowerentertainment | @matchmakerband Pianist: Dan Redner Music Catering/Bar: @royalfigcatering Cake: @cakesrocktx Dessert: @thehayleycakes Hair/MUA: @lolabeautyatx Rentals: @marquee_rents Stationery: @lbvdesignhouse Transportation: @transportationconsultants

​Let’s be honest, we love food and because it is one of the biggest spends on your wedding budget, it’s important to know all the key questions when searching for a caterer! More than anything, you need to make sure things don’t get left out so you aren’t shocked with surprises later on. We made a list of how to find your food and beverage pro so when it’s time to start the search and when you are ready to start proposal shopping, we have your back AND your taste buds! PRELIMINARY BACKGROUND QUESTIONS​ How long have you been in business? Do you do multiple weddings in a day? Have you catered at my venue? Do you charge a traveling fee? Do you have set menus? Can you customize anything on the menu? Can I see your sample menus and packages? What is the average cost per guest for buffet, family style, food stationed, plated? Do you have photos of your food items and food displays? What are the charges for kids meals + vendor meals? Do you provide wedding cakes or do you offer desserts? Do you provide food tastings before we sign a contract? Is there a charge? Do the menu prices include anything such as a water/tea/coffee station? Do you bring and rent linens/chinaware/silverware/glassware/napkins? Note: Some budget friendly caterers have basic packages that use disposable dinnerware instead of the real thing, so make sure you know exactly what you'll be getting. NOW LET'S GET SPECIFIC How much staff will you be getting for a guest count of ##? Will you plate/serve us, as bride/groom? Do you charge a cake cutting fee? Will you pass/serve the wedding cake from an outside vendor? Do they through the entire event until the end or do they leave after food service? If they leave after dinner, can you pay more to have them stay until they cut the cake? Note: Most venues require a full service caterer. They will want the caterer to arrive 2-3 hours prior to the ceremony and stay until the end is done and the venue is swept/mopped. What is your policy for leftovers? Do you set up tables and chairs for the ceremony and the reception? If the chairs have to be moved from the ceremony to the reception, are you able to do this? If my event runs longer than contracted, what are your overtime fees? Do you break down tables and chairs after the reception is over? What is your policy on cleanup? What if there is not a dumpster on site? Note: You’ll want to be very clear about what "cleanup" means and who's responsible for handling it. In most cases when you rent a venue, it will be your responsibility to leave the place as you got it and trust us, the last thing you want to do at the end of the night is clean up and take the trash out. You will want to make sure they are able to break down the tables and chairs at the end, sweep/mop and remove ALL trash including things like bar trash and florals. What do you need on site as far as the catering kitchen goes? Any special appliances that you require? Do you need the venue to supply any tables for your services? What is your payment policy? How much of a deposit is required to hold my date? When is the final payment due? When do you need the final guest count? Are there any fees that won't be included in the proposal that we should be aware of? Does the caterer have extra charges, such as a security deposit, sales tax, admin or service fees? What, if any, are the expected gratuities? Do note that tax and a service charges are added on to your final cost. The service charge, which can range 18–23%, is NOT typically used to tip the staff. Once we book with you, how quickly can we expect a contract? And if we make changes to menu choices or other items, will you update us with a revised estimate and contract? What is your refund or cancellation policy? Do I need any special permits or items on site or that the venue must provide? How are you operating under the DSHS Open Texas checklist, is there anything different being done now than before? Does this cost more? QUESTIONS TO ASK REGARDING BARTENDING SERVICES What kind of bar packages do you offer? If they provide the alcohol - do you charge by consumption or per person? Note: The bar adds up quickly so make sure you choose the best option to accommodate your budget and guests. Typically, you’ll be able to either BYOB or choose between a bar package (priced per person) or charged on consumption (per drink). What brands of alcohol will be served? Can you do a full bar with liquor, beer & wine, just beer/wine, OR beer/wine with a signature drink? Note: If there is a certain brand or type of special bottle you want JUST for your fiancé and yourself, do they provide it or can you bring it for them to serve just to you two? Can I purchase my own alcohol and does the caterer charge a fee for that? Note: If you can bring your own alcohol, will they recommend how much and what types to buy based off of your menu? How many bartenders are recommended? Can you do a separate bar in a separate location for cocktail hour? Can you accommodate specialty cocktails? Is there a separate price for glassware, ice, straws, bar napkins, garnishes, etc? Do you charge a corkage fee if we provide our own wine or champagne? Is the champagne toast after the ceremony included in your meal packages or is it extra? Will your staff serve the wine with dinner and pour throughout? How long will alcohol be served? Is there a time limit? PROPOSALS, PLEASE! After the initial interview process, you will want to gather a few proposals to compare the companies before making a decision. Here are some questions and information to ask when gathering your proposals. We also recommend telling the caterers a little background on where you two are from, how you met, and what food & beverage you might want served on your wedding day. Most full service caterers love customizing menus for the couples, so now is the perfect time to wave your magic wand with your dream menu! Don't forget it is just as important to tell them what you DO NOT want! Bride + groom name, phone number & email address Wedding date, venue + timeline (Example: ceremony - 4 PM, cocktail hour - 4:30-5:30 PM, reception - 5:30 PM, dinner - 5:45 PM) Estimated number of guests - adults + kids​​ FOOD ‣ Desired style of service - buffet, plated, family style, food stations ‣ Dietary restrictions to accommodate yourselves + guests - allergies, gluten free, vegetarian/vegan, etc. ‣ Focus on YOUR likes and dislikes - after all, it is YOUR big day and you’ll drive yourself crazy trying to accommodate a menu for every guest. BUDGET ‣ ⁠What is your budget for food per person? ‣ ⁠Is that price per person before service charge & tax? ‣ ⁠Does that budget include the bar? ‣ ⁠Does this budget include additional rental items? ‣ ⁠What can you expect to put aside for gratuity? ADDITIONAL SERVICES ​‣ ⁠Hors D’oeuvres - you may want to consider a few appetizers during cocktail hour (and while y’all are taking pictures, especially if the bar is open at this time too!) ‣ ⁠Dessert - whether it’s a wedding cake or a s’more bar, it’s a little easier for your caterer to also provide dessert (and it’s one less vendor you have to coordinate!) ‣ ⁠Late Night Snacks - it’s like a 4th meal, either to enjoy near the end of the reception, or for guests to take to-go. RENTALS ‣ Are they responsible for linens, prep tables, chargers, dishwater, glassware, flatware, napkins, cake knife/server, etc.? ‣ Is there an extra charge to pick up and drop off or a delivery charge? ‣ What are my options to upgrade/downgrade? CUTTING COSTS ‣ How can I have a full service caterer and where can I have a successful event, but bring cost down? ‣ Can I have disposable items like dishwater and glassware? ‣ If I buy my own linens/napkins, can you set them on the tables? ‣ Is it cheaper if we don't do a formal cake cutting/passing? ‣ Do I need champagne for everyone? Will it save us money to do toasts with the guests drink in hand? Before comparing bottom line prices with each caterer, we advise you to compare apples to apples with everything that the caterer is providing. Even though some caterers will have a lower menu price, they may not include essential items to serve & eat and all of those items can add up quickly. Always remember that it’s your big day and you can’t please everyone so choose a menu that you want to eat on your wedding day! We WILL make sure that you actually sit down and enjoy the food on your wedding day.

One can describe wedding planning with so many adjectives - exciting, fun, enjoyable, emotional, overwhelming, exhausting, frustrating and expensive (the list can go on and on). Thanks to Pinterest and social media, it’s extremely easy to go overboard with planning and all of the details that you want for your wedding day can add up quickly. But there are some ways to cut costs and still have the wedding of your dreams and we’ve compiled some simple, small and creative ways to help you stay on budget and better yet, save you some money. MAKING A LIST, CHECKING IT TWICE The most common piece of advice on how to save money on a wedding is to lower the guest count. Think about it… the more people you have at the wedding, then more tables you need, then the more centerpieces you need to have, and then the more food & alcohol you need, and the list just spirals from there. One easy way to minimize the guest list is to set guest list boundaries and refrain from inviting children and coworkers (and maybe not inviting your 3rd cousin or your 5th grade teacher). Sure, you can still include your friends' significant others, but maybe consider inviting others and their casual dates. You may also consider downsizing your bridal party because the larger the bridal party, the more you’ll spend on personal gifts, bouquets, boutineers, etc. INVITES, STATIONERY & POSTAGE (oh my!) I couldn’t tell you what the cost of a stamp is, but I guarantee anyone who is planning a wedding knows exactly how much it costs to send out a letter. Between the save the dates, invitations, RSVP cards, bridal shower cards, thank you cards, etc, the postage cost alone can make someone’s eye twitch. A super simple way to cut out that additional cost is to email your save the date card and include your wedding website link on it so people can RSVP right away, without anyone having to buy a stamp or drive to the post office. If you still have your heart set on a paper product, you can still order all of the stationary, but consider just ordering in a smaller quantity. That way, you can still have those items for your photographer to take those gorgeous detailed pictures and grandma can still have her invite she can show off to all of her bunco friends. Setting the tone and showcasing your wedding theme is incredibly important to some couples - just make sure you budget appropriately and if need be, find some ways to save you not only time, but money. FLOWERS & REPURPOSING DECOR Florals can be one of the most high priced items when it comes to designing and decorating your wedding day and everyone wants them, but not everyone can afford all of them. There are a few ways to save money (or at least not spend extra money!) on flowers. Bud vases are cute and quaint and by simply filling them with a flower stem and scattering them about, your budget can go further with this look. Consider using dried flowers or some fake petals to make those centerpieces & bouquets fuller, but not by overfilling your budget. Choose flowers that are available year round, or in season. If you are able to have a wider variety of flowers for your florist to choose from, they can then focus on your actual vision vs what you can afford. Unfortunately, there’s a flower shortage in the wedding world right now and some flowers are difficult to find and uber expensive out of season. Repurpose those bridesmaid bouquets and use them as centerpieces at the reception. Repurpose those ceremony flowers and decorate the head table, sweetheart table, cake table, welcome table, etc. The flowers are already there, so let’s find a place to display them after your “I Do’s”. Candles are your best friend as they tend to be inexpensive and available anywhere and they add that one extra romantic touch to any table, any bar, any aisle, anything! HELP! PLEASE. Asking for help is never a sign of weakness - it’s one of the bravest things you can do, and you never know what people will do until you ask. It can be as simple as asking to borrow accessories instead of buying them (hey, this can be your “something borrowed”). You may consider asking your friends and family members to help out with the wedding. Maybe you know someone talented who might be able to do your hair and makeup, or someone who can design your stationery, or just as simple as someone who can provide lunch & refreshments for the bridal suite. One or two favors from others could save you some money in the long run. You could also consider asking a trusted friend or valued family member to officiate your big day. It can in turn, be a big savings for you, and it can also be a sentimental and heart touching memory for both you and your partner, as well as for your officiant. DRUNK IN LOVE Another way to save some money is to limit the bar and stick to beer and wine. If you want to include liquor, you can always add on a few signature cocktails that are fan favorites, but by limiting the amount and quantities of the alcohol, you can save a lot of money (and save your guests from a possible hangover). A lot of couples like the idea of a champagne toast at the reception, but if you don’t have a lot of champagne drinkers, just stick to a drink in hand toast which allows your guests to actually drink what they want, rather than wasting money on champagne that people may or may not drink. When it comes to purchasing alcohol, check out your local wholesalers and purchase alcohol in bulk (as some will offer a discount if you buy by the case vs per bottle). Also, most of the retailers also have a buyback program, in which you can return unopened cases of beer & bottles of wine and alcohol - you’ll just need to provide an original receipt, possibly pay a restocking fee and return the alcohol in its original/unused packaging. FIRST COME LOVE, THEN COMES CAKE As much as wedding cakes are beautiful and traditional, they tend to be pricey and sometimes wasteful (sadly, we’ve seen a lot of cakes get tossed at the end of the reception). If you want that elaborate, fancy, 4 tiered wow-factor cake, go for it - but you can inquire with your baker about making a few of the tiers with styrofoam and still having them decorate it with icing so your guests don’t know the difference! The traditional cake cutting is still a thing, but you can save a lot of money by just ordering a small cake to cut (and smash in eachothers faces) and then ordering sheet cakes for all of your guests. Cakes are typically cut in the kitchen anyways, so no one will ever know what it looked like before it reaches their mouth! FORGO THE FAVORS Many couples are forgoing the favors and it can be a real money saver if you decide against them. Not only are favors another added cost, but more times than not, they are forgotten by guests at the end of the night and in turn, these thoughtful gifts turn into a big waste of money. If you absolutely want to offer a favor for guests to take home at the end of the night, you could turn your centerpieces or creative escort cards into favors (double the use without double the cost). SO WHAT’CHA WANT You can still have the wedding of your dreams without dismissing all of your ideas - you may just want to put a cost saving spin on some of those items. These can be as simple as using Uber or Lyft codes vs renting a shuttle, or selecting a DJ instead of a band, or offering a selfie station rather than splurging on photo booth rental. Know your budget. Know what you can’t live without. Know your guests and ask yourself “are my guests to notice if I don’t have ____”. It’s easy to go overboard with wedding planning and all of the wedding details that are in trend. But at the end of the day, be true to yourself, be true to your budget, and remember, this is the first day of the rest of your life - let’s get it started off on the right foot (without going into debt). Photography Contributions: @greengirlatx | @sarahtribettphoto | @britnideanphotography | @juliasoniat | @featherandtwine

April and Pablo had a gorgeous tented backyard wedding at the private residences of their family and friends!

Picturing the vision and layout of your wedding reception can be exciting and daunting at the same time, especially when thinking about all of the details coming together. It’s often challenging to pass the torch and turn to the experts to help bring your wedding dreams to life, but when it comes to linen sizes and knowing what you need for each table, that’s where the experts come in. Choosing linen sizes can be confusing initially, especially if it’s not something you’ve ever done before. So before you grab the calculator, we’ve created a simple table linen size guide, to lead you into making those perfect sizing selections. Now all you have to do is select the perfect fabric & texture! TABLE TYPES The first thing you’ll want to do is confirm which table types you’ll need, how many of each one you’ll need, and confirm the purpose of each one. There’s a lot of table size options out there (and trust us, it can be overwhelming!) so we are going to focus in on the 3 most used - banquet table, round table, cocktail table BANQUET TABLE Banquet tables are very popular as they can be used for a variety of things, such as welcome tables, buffet and beverage station tables, cake or dessert tables, guest seating, etc. When discussing rectangular tables, length refers to the longer edge of the table measured in feet and width refers to the shorter edge measured in inches (example is 6’x30”). Both length and width of rectangular linens, however, are measured in inches (example is 90” x 132”). A standard banquet table is a 6 foot table or a 8 foot table 6ft table | 6’ by 30” | 90” x 132” linen 8ft table | 8’ by 30” | 90” x 156” linen​ Info table courtesy of BBJ Linen ROUND TABLES Round tables are also super popular as they can be used for a variety of things, such as guest seating, cake tables, champagne tower tables, memory tables When discussing round tables, diameter is the distance from one end of the table to the other, through the center of the table, and is measured in inches (example is 60” round).A standard round table is a 4 foot round, 5 foot round or a 6 foot round 4ft table | 48” round table | 108” linen 5ft table | 60” round table | 120” linen 6ft table | 72” round table | 132” linen ​ Info table courtesy of BBJ Linen HIGH COCKTAIL TABLES cocktail tables are smaller round tables and are perfectly sized to be used during cocktail hour for guests to have a place to set their drink and appetizer A standard cocktail table comes in either a 30” round or 36” round and the size of the linens can vary depending on the height, and whether or not you want the linens to just lay flat to the ground, or be tied around the table pole. When sashing a cocktail table, we recommend choosing a linen one size larger because when the linen is sashesd, it lifts up slightly from the bottom, exposing the metal base of the table (so the extra fabric will help to hide the table legs). 30” Round | 108” linen | linen lays flat to the ground 30” Round | 120” linen | linen to be tied at pole 36” Round | 120” linen | linen lays flat to the ground 36” Round | 132” linen | linen to be tied at pole PRO TIP: If you are trying to decide whether to tie or not to tie cocktail table linen, consider the overall function and overall vision for the table. Some brides choose to tie a sash around the cocktail table to keep the linens from blowing in the breeze (great to consider if these tables will be set up outside for cocktail hour). Others chose to tie a sash, or greenery or flowers around the base to tie in their wedding design (another great way to add those personal touches into the day). But other brides like the clean and basic look of a cocktail table and that’s perfectly fine as well. Info table courtesy of BBJ Linen TABLE RUNNERS Table runners have quickly become popular in weddings, whether you put them down the center of your head table or add a little flair to your guest rounds. They are also another personal design choice as there’s a lot to choose from, as some are longer, some are shorter, some are wider and some are thinner. Before you decide on the size, color and texture, consider the width of the table vs the width of the runner and confirm what items will be placed on it, such as decor, flowers, candlesticks and table top items to make sure everything is laid out exactly as you envision. Photography: Yona Shaw | Andy & Carrie | Feather & Twine | Dani Quiroz | Moodyography Info Tables: BBJ Linen