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Full Service Planning: @ashelynicoleaffair Venue: @woodbinemansion Photography: @barefoottim Videography: @lonaweddings Florist: @fleuraffairco DJ/Band: @hyperhythm Catering: @sohocateringandconsulting Cake :  @littlebluebowbakery Cookies: @parziales_bakery Hair/MUA: @katyreddellbeauty Rentals: @premiereeventstx | @brighteventrentals Cold Sparks: @sparksandco_ Lighting: @altared_weddings Transportation: @ lux.limo .atx

Featured on Brides and Weddings & Wed Society Austin Vendor Contributions: Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair Photography/Videography: Cloud Craft Studios Venue: The Arlo Florist: Bouquets of Austin Catering: Royal Fig Catering Ice Luge: Full Spectrum Ice Cake/Dessert: Sweet Treets Bakery Hair/MUA: Adore Makeup Salon Lighting: Elite Marquee Austin Ceremony/Cocktail Hour Musicians: Terra Vista Strings DJ/Photo Booth: Premier Entertainment Group Signage: Design to Flourish Rentals: Premiere Events Lounge Furniture: Loot Rentals Cold Sparks: Big Dog Pyro

Vendor Contributions: Photography: Two Pair Photography | Planning + Photo Booth: Ashley Nicole Affair | Venue + Bar: The Addison Grove | Florist: White's Floral + Native Bloom Floral | Hair/MUA: Rachel Hill Makeup | Catering: Soho Catering & Consulting | Videography: Double Knot Pictures | Cake: Word of Mouth Bakery | Dessert: Tiff's Treats | Rentals: Bee Lavish Vintage | DJ: Premier Entertainment Group | Beer Burros: Sweet Magnolia Events | Transportation: Austin Charter Services | Getaway Car: 4 Leaf Limo

Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair Photography: Emily Boone Venue/Alcohol/Bar: The Addison Grove Catering/Cake: Royal Fig Catering Coffee Bar: Creature Coffee Co. Florist: Christie Turner Designs Hair/MUA: Adore Makeup Salon Draping: Unique Design and Events Band: PDA Band ( Moontower Entertainment ) Phone Booth: Fete Fone Videography: Cloud Craft Studios Rentals: Premiere Events ; Bee Lavish Vintage Transportation: Austin Charter Services

Featured on: Junebug Weddings ​Photography: Alexandra White Photo; Ladybird Studios | Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Venue: The Union on Eighth | Florals: Verbena Floral Design; Romantic Florals; Mountain Laurel Floral; White's Floral Design | Wedding Bands: Calvin's Fine Jewelry; Benold's Jewelers | Cake/Desserts: Cakes Rock!!! | DJ: Premier Entertainment Group | Ceremony Music: Sienna String Quartet | Engagement Photography: Moodyography | Hair/MUA: All Dolled Up; Bethany Elyse Hair & Makeup; Makeup by Selena; Mandalin Collective | Cheese + Appetizers: Antonelli's Cheese | Catering: Sky's Catering | Bartending: Elevate Bartending | Dress: Desiree Marie Design | Calligraphy/Signage: Amanda Reid Designs | Cocktail Linens: CV Linens | Balloons: Exquisite Events Austin; Starr of Texas | Coffee Bar: Cactus Coffee | Champagne Bar: Fizz Bubbly Bar | Photo Booth: Vannagram & Co. | Videography: Matthew Reid Films | Bubbles: Big Dog Pyro | Getaway Car: Baby Blue Drives For You | Air BnB: Casa Colibri

Featured on: Wedding Wire IG Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: The Teagues | Venue: The Vineyards at Chappel Lodge | Florals: Good Seed Floral | Hair/MUA: Blushd Beauty | Catering: The Root Cellar | Cake/Baker: Michelle's Patisserie | Rentals: Festoon | Bartending: An Event to Remember | DJ: Hill Country DJ | Dress: Emmy Mae Bridal | Bridal Salon: Blue Bridal Austin

As seen on Style Me Pretty's Front Page! Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair Photography: Sarah Tribett Photography Venue: The Arlo Florist: Forsythia Florals Photo Booth: Homestead Photo Booth Co. Catering: Vestal's Catering Bartending: Too Shay Spirits Cake/Dessert: Feathers and Frosting Hair/MUA: Lola Beauty Stationery: Green Girl Design Co. Lighting: Alpha-lit Austin DJ/Musician: Premier Entertainment Group Videography: Shorman Creative Rentals: Peerless Events and Tents View their proposal & engagement photos here

We know that there are way too many important decisions to make & tasks at hand when it comes to planning your big day! We recognize that it is way too easy to get off track when it comes to planning so we are creating a guide to help you find a starting point. We will start with some resources where you can find your vendors and when you have narrowed it down to the ones you have consultations with, we will give you specific questions to ask. And once you find them, you can always check out our recommendations on vendor gratuity to learn how to take care of them when all is said and done! WHERE DO I START TO FIND THEM? First of all, it's important that when you do find someone you are interested in, you follow up and find their reviews - whether it's on their website, The Knot, Wedding Wire, Facebook, etc. There are SO many helpful sources out there for locating your vendors! Here are a few we recommend: The Knot Wedding Wire Google Facebook Pages & Groups: Bride to Bride Austin & Surrounding Areas Instagram: Use hashtags #austinbride, #austinwedding, #atxwedding Open houses at venues Referrals: Ask the vendors you do have booked Weddings you're attending - if you see someone working, get a business card Bridal extravaganzas Thumbtack And remember there are the preliminary questions you can ask all vendors, like - are you or someone from your team available on that particular date? Do you charge a travel fee? How much is your deposit? When is your final balance due? Are there any other taxes, fees, or surcharges that I may not know about? Now let's talk specific questions tailored to each vendor you're shopping for! VENUE Is there ceremony & reception location inside/outside? What is the rain plan? What are the difference on prices for the different seasons and days of the week? What comes with the venue rental and what needs to be brought in? (Tables, chairs, etc.) Can I have my rehearsal the day before? How many hours are included and can I purchase additional hours, and for what price? Can I select my own vendors to come in besides your preferred vendors? What vendors are inclusive to the venue? For example, if catering is inclusive to the venue, you may want to ask if you can still bring in outside food for the bridal suite or a late night snack for your guests. PHOTOGRAPHY How many hours does this include on the day of? If I need an extra hour, what is the cost? Do you come to multiple locations? Can you provide me a checklist of photos I would want on the day of? How long can I expect to get my photos and in what form? How many photos am I going to get? Who can I share them with? What is the benefit to having more than one photographer? How ,much would it be for an additional session like bridal or engagements, if that is not included? “It's important that when you do find someone you are interested in, you follow up and find their reviews - whether it's on their website, The Knot, Wedding Wire, Facebook, etc." CATERING Get the catering menu, request a proposal, and sign up for tastings! Buffet, plated, family style, etc. - what are the differences & costs associated with each? Can they also provide bar service? Do they provide the tea & water station? Have them explain ALL of the final charges - specifically ask what the service charge goes to and if gratuity is not included, what is standard? Do they take care of bussing tables and removing trash? When do they arrive and depart to the venue on the wedding day? Do they set up tables, chairs, or offer a room flip? PLANNERS Request a list of pricing and packages. Confirm what sets each package apart from each other. How much communication do you get in between booking and the big day? Does that change with each package? What type of software, documents, or information is provided for the bride, groom, and coordinator to work with? How many meetings do you get with them before the wedding? Do they provide recommendations on other vendors? Do they offer discounts for partnering with other vendors? Is the rehearsal included with any package? How long do you have them on the day of and what are their duties? Is there anything that they don't do on the day of? FLORIST Decide on your color palette, style, and must have & must not have flowers. What is your budget? How many bouquets, boutonnieres, centerpieces - # of tables, aisle decor etc. & who provides the vases? Are there any fees for arrangement, set up, breakdown? DJ How long do we have you on the day of? Is it for the ceremony and the reception? How do we communicate songs that we do want played and do not want played? Will I know who my DJ is before the wedding day? What equipment do you have? Wireless microphones, lapel microphones, second speaker system for ceremony, possible third speaker for cocktail hour Do you need the venue to provide you a table/linen anywhere for a setup? What are some trends that you recommend or special touches you can do to bring guests on the dance floor? VIDEOGRAPHY Do you have a certain style? What is the delivery time of my product? What do you include in the video? Can I choose the music or audio? What equipment do you use? Do you provide more than one person on the day of? How do you work with other photographers when it comes to not getting in each others way to capture the same moment? HAIR & MAKE UP Do you have a minimum amount of people or dollar amount you require to book? Can I see examples of your work? Airbrush makeup - do you offer it, why do you recommend or not recommend, and does it photograph any different? Do you charge for trials? When is best to schedule a trial? Do you provide a timeline for the day of when it comes to start time & how long each person's application takes? What extra stuff do I need to bring on the day of - certain hairpins, foundation color, etc. Can you provide me with any extra product after the initial applications for touch up throughout my wedding? CAKE Let's talk servings! What size do you recommend to feed # of people? How do I know what style to choose? Do you recommend a groom's cake? Can you provide other desserts? Do people still save & freeze the top? Are you able to make a fresh one instead on the anniversary? How do we schedule a tasting and is there a cost? Do you deliver and set the cake up? BAND How many sets do you play and how many breaks do you take? Can you DJ during the breaks? Do you emcee - for introductions, dances, etc.? Can you provide a microphone for toasts? OFFICIANT What is the typical ceremony script and how can we customize it? Do you take care of mailing the marriage license afterwards? Do you attend the rehearsal? So from a planner's eye, you have a bird's eye view over what we are thinking and now we don't even have to say it. Please feel free to comment any useful questions you have asked and had success with when it comes to establishing your wedding day vendors.

Venue: ​The Driskill | Wedding Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Photography: Drew Elaine Photography | Florist: Romantic Florals | Band: Dale Watson Band | Hair/MUA: Saxon Glam

"BUT I WANT THE FIRST TIME THAT HE SEES ME TO BE WHEN I AM WALKING DOWN THE AISLE..." We get that! In our experience, even couples who choose to do a first look show just as emotion, if not more when the groom sees the bride walk down the aisle. When the groom sees the bride walking down the aisle for the first time, he is in front of his closest family and friends, he will experience a whole other level of emotion just by being surrounded everyone when he his bride makes her entrance. It is a completely different feeling and we have NEVER heard of any of our couples "regret" doing a first look before. WHAT EXACTLY IS A FIRST LOOK? A first look is an intimate moment shared between the bride & the groom where they choose to see each other for the first time hours BEFORE the ceremony. It is a pre-arranged in a private place between the couple and the photographer. BUT, WHY? There are many reasons to consider a first look and they are all different depending on how you envision your wedding day and what is important to the both of you. Personally, when I was a bride for a day I chose to do it because I have very high anxiety. I knew that when I saw John for the first time it would relieve my anxiety and pressure that I had about walking down the aisle. I knew the comfort of his arms was a place I needed to be before the big "I do" and it was the only way to get me to relax.... and SERIOUSLY, check him out below - he STILL cried like a little, handsome baby even though he had already seen me. You would have never guessed! It saves you a lot of time for photos and you're not rushing through your cocktail hour! Normal photos to be expected in 60 minutes of cocktail hour at ceremony site & other locations: bride/groom, bridesmaids, groomsmen, wedding party, family. If you knock out your first look, this gives you time to get those pictures captured, as well as your formal bride/groom portraits & your whole wedding party! This even allows you to have some time to breathe and touch up your make up, eat an appetizer, take a shot of tequila with your new spouse, or bustle your dress. You can pick who gets to be present for that moment. It doesn't have to be just the bride, the groom, and the photographer. Some of the best first looks are when the family and wedding party can peak through a window and experience it with you, without the pressure of the ceremony timeline. Trust us - it is SO sweet to see a mother or father's joy when they get to preview a moment like this! Winter weddings, say no more! ​It sounds crazy to base this decision off of a season, right? Wrong! With a standard winter ceremony start time, the amount of sunlight you have is very limited. This goes back to making sure you are able to get ALL of the photos that you want in natural light. If you've done first look, bride/groom portraits, wedding party, then this gives you the perfect amount of time during cocktail hour to finish up with family, end it with golden hour/sunset photos, and take a breather. “A first look is an intimate moment shared between the bride & the groom where they choose to see each other for the first time hours BEFORE the ceremony. It is a pre-arranged in a private place between the couple and the photographer.” I JUST CAN'T GET ON BOARD WITH HIM SEEING ME BEFOREHAND. WHAT ARE SOME OTHER OPTIONS? Okay, fine, we can't talk you into a first look, but if you still want to incorporate well captured moments into your wedding day timeline, we've got some ideas! First look with your father/mother First look with your bridesmaids... or groomsmen?! Guys need to feel the love too! First look with your dog - we've seen it done! And it's THE BEST! First touch - let the photographer pick the boundary; a corner, back to back, a door, etc. Sharing of vows or a prayer - same concept, but a good way to keep the distance and still calm the nerves! WE LIKE TO CALL THIS ONE "A FIRST LOOK ORCHESTRATED BY ASHLEY NICOLE AFFAIR & SOME DONKEYS..." Meet Brooke, one of the most down to earth and gorgeous brides that a wedding planner can only dream of working with. Now meet Bryce, one of the most thoughtful grooms that he would move mountains for Brooke. ​They spent a lot of time budgeting and paying off their wedding before the big day so they had a hard time justifying beer burros. Naturally, Brooke was pretty bummed, but like the angel bride she was, she didn't stress too much that her wedding would be... donkey-less. Two days pre-wedding... ​Bryce calls us, "Ashley, I got Brooke the beer donkeys. I just don't know what to do now with them, when they should come, and how to keep it a surprise." Ashley Nicole Affair is a team of Austin wedding planners that specialize in planning and floral design in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado.Well, Bryce, here's the bad news. She still probably won't want to do a first look although I am 98% confident that surprise beer donkeys may be a secret key that opens her heart and she may have a moment of weakness, but let's not risk it. She probably still doesn't want you to see her before the ceremony... Here are the list of supplies you'll need to pull this off, if you're taking notes: A super cool, down to earth photographer who can roll with the last minute punches, like Keira Hand Photography A napkin placed on the reception table, that can be used as a blindfold The hair tie from the coordinator's head, to fashion the dinner napkin into a blindfold/make shift do-rag A couple of beer burros; we loved Ralph Fisher's Photo Animals! ​A bride that has a bride tribe that can roll with the last minute punches and be up for any surprise... even if you group text them the surprise plan and half of them are from out of state and are trying to Google, "what the HECK is a beer burro!?!" WHAT ARE SOME OF THE FIRST LOOKS YOU HAVE WITNESSED, PHOTOGRAPHED, OR EXPERIENCED? COMMENT YOUR FAVES! And don't forget we are taking blog topic requests! Is there a topic you want to hear more about while you plan your wedding? Is there a color palette, specific venue, or overall wedding flow you want to see more of? We want to hear from you!

2020 is finally turning around which means, weddings are starting to bounce back. This is fantastic news for the engaged couple, but it’s also an exciting time to be a wedding guest! Attending a wedding comes with a few questions, some rules, a little bit of standard etiquette, a few guidelines and a lot of honor. Not sure what to do, who to bring, what to wear, or what to gift? Here is how to pull off being the PERFECT wedding guest! R-E-S-P-E-C-T Weddings come in all shapes and sizes and you may even witness weddings that have different traditions, customs or religions than you are familiar or not familiar with. While you aren’t expected to participate in those rituals at a wedding, be respectful, mindful, and follow the lead of those family members and friends who are participating. You can show respect to the wedding couple by keeping your opinions and thoughts to yourself. It is not your job as a wedding guest to criticize how or what happens at their wedding. RSVP! We’ve all done it - we receive a wedding invite, we read it, and then set it on the counter before it climbs into the junk drawer. We can do better than that! Invitations usually get sent out about 6-8 weeks before the wedding, so next time you receive one, check your calendar and make the decision. The sooner you can RSVP, the better; not only for the couple, but for the courtesy of the person with the wallet and the vendors that they are paying. The last thing you want to do is add stress to the happy couple by not sending in your response and letting them guess on your attendance. Remember, they have huge deadlines as the bride and groom so they probably don’t want to pay for your $80 steak two weeks before their wedding just for you to eventually not show up. Remember: it’s not rude to decline, but it is rude to RSVP as a yes and not attend. ​RIDIN’ SOLO One of the most important wedding guest rules to follow is your plus-one… and whether or not they are invited to attend. It’s easy to assume that all guests get to bring a significant other or friend, but remember that the couple gets to make the decision on their guest list and who is invited. Read the invitation carefully to see who the invite was addressed to, and if you are unsure or it is unclear whether or not that you get to bring someone, just ask the couple or check out their wedding website for a FAQ section. ​GIFTING Make it a point to always give a gift when receiving a wedding invitation, even if you can’t attend the wedding. To be selected as an invited guest is a big deal, therefore it is always a nice gesture to still congratulate the couple with a gift, card, or both. Most couples make the shopping easy for their guests; check out their wedding website for a registry. Don’t feel like you have to get a gift off their registry - if you have a different idea for them, go for it! We always recommend sending the wedding gift to the address listed on their registry versus bringing the gift to the wedding reception. After all, it is one less thing you have to remember to bring to the wedding, and it is one less thing they have to pack up at the end of the night. If you can’t decide what to get them or they haven’t specified a registry, always go the monetary route. Almost every couple has a honeymoon fund! Rather than buying them a set of towels or an air fryer, you can specify in the check memo that you’re gifting scuba diving lessons, or a hot air balloon ride for them to experience on their honeymoon. Make your check payable to the bride or groom and don’t forget to use the bride's maiden name! Gift cards aren’t the worst idea, but make sure that they are your last resort. DRESS CODE, DE-CODED Not sure what to wear to the wedding? Whip out that invitation because you can tell a lot about the wedding from the invite. The time of day & venue should say a lot about the formality of the wedding (barn/ranch vs. mansion/country club), but oftentimes, the couple have specified appropriate attire on their invite or wedding website. For a daytime wedding, a floral dress, maxi dress or jumpsuit would be appropriate for women, and a light-colored suit and/or button up shirt and tie for men would be appropriate. For an evening wedding, cocktail dresses, formal jumpsuits, or formal gowns would be appropriate for women, and dark colored suits, jackets and even tuxedos are appropriate for men, depending on the formality of the wedding. Obey the bride and do not wear white to a wedding, even if you think the bride would not mind. Avoid off-white and ivory colored outfits as well, just to be safe. If you have to ask yourself, “does this count as white?” that means you should decide on something else. The last thing you want to do as a wedding guest is to take away from the bride on her big day. Every once in a while there's a dress code mentioned on the invitation or wedding website that instructs guests to wear a certain color. Stay classy, avoid wearing anything too flashy, or anything that shows too much skin. You’ll want to respect the wedding couples' family, traditions, religions and opinions. If you are ever in doubt about what to wear, remember proper wedding guest etiquette. You could always ask the couple what they would like to see their guests wearing. It is always best to know ahead of time versus showing up and sticking out from the rest of the crowd. Don’t forget to keep a jacket in your car because you never know when the weather comes up with a new game plan! And last but not least, bring a mask and at least wear it when you're around people you may not know or through the buffet line. TARDY FOR THE PARTY If you ever wanted to be on time to anything, it’s a wedding! In fact, show up earlier than the time noted on the invitation - arriving 30 minutes beforehand is a general rule to follow and has become VERY standard. Arriving early also gives you the opportunity to get familiar with the venue, sign the guest book, and choose the perfect seat to watch the ceremony! Plan for traffic, some pre-ceremony mingling, and a bathroom break. If you do happen to show up after the ceremony has begun, seat yourself quietly in the back AFTER the bride has made it down the aisle and do NOT stand in the back or to the side. The bride and groom have paid photographers and videographers and the last thing you would want to do is have your tardiness documented in photos or videos. If you’re late with a group, split up and if you’re not willing to do that then go straight to cocktail hour. ​ UNPLUG Let’s all pretend we are at the movies or church and silence our cell phones so we aren’t distracting others around us. More times than not, the officiant or a sign walking into the wedding will request that you do not to use your cell phone during the ceremony. The couple has hired professional photographers and it likely is one of their bigger spends, so it is very important that you’re not seen with your cell phone in the air obstructing the professional. Just a friendly reminder that making phone calls, texting, or watching the big game during the ceremony is something that you should also avoid. BE SEATED Maybe you know a lot of other wedding guests, and maybe you don’t know anyone, but but socializing is one of the best parts about weddings. Between cocktail hour and dinner, the bride and groom want to encourage everyone to get acquainted. In fact, you already have something in common with everyone - you all know the couple in one way or another! If you are married, then you know how stressful and how much time seating charts can take! As a guest, check the seating chart and sit where you're supposed to, then introduce yourself to those that you may not know at your table. If there's a specific seating arrangement, the couple probably put you with people they thought you'd enjoy talking to, so start talking, and enjoy yourself! Whatever you do, do NOT move your chair and change your seating assignment; doing something like this can completely change the dynamic of the reception and cause several hiccups when it comes to dinner service. BECAUSE NO GREAT STORY STARTED WITH A SALAD... The best, yet very tempting, words of a wedding… open bar. I think we can all agree that the only person that should be talked about on wedding night is the couple. If you’re being talked about post-wedding, chances are it isn’t going to be good. Pace yourself and be sure to hydrate in between drinks. Take advantage of the appetizers, dinner and cake the couple has provided for you. If you’re not invited to give a toast, don’t invite yourself. After dinner, don’t be afraid to swap out your last cocktails for coffee and take advantage of any late night snacks! If the bar tells you enough is enough, trust their judgment and keep that between you and the bartenders; no body wants to have to defend their decision after it has been made. DANCE, DANCE, DANCE! After the rings have been exchanged, the vows have been shared, the dinner has been served and toasts have been given, it is time to hit the dance floor! Dancing can be the BEST part of the wedding and your chance to finally let loose. Follow the lead of the couple, of course after their first dances have happened. Try to let the DJ control the crowd and dance floor and limit your requests, after all this isn’t a dance party just for you. ​NA NA NA NA, GOODBYE! Not sure when to say your goodbyes? Wedding receptions typically last 3-5 hours and near the end of it, the DJ usually makes it known with some last dance announcements, last call, or a grand exit. The “best” time to leave is after the couple cuts the cake, but if you want to catch some more time to mingle, grab a drink and hit the dance floor post-cake cutting! Once you are ready to head out, it’s a nice gesture to thank and say goodbye to the couple, or their parents. If you decide to stay until the very end of the reception, it is always the grandest gesture to ask the couple, parents, or planners if they need any help package anything up or taking things out as you exit. SUCCESS! Wedding guest etiquette isn’t rocket science, but there is a lot more to it than people are told. Try your best to be respectful and polite, but still social, welcomed, and fun guest. The newlyweds put a lot of time and energy into perfecting their special day and the best way that we recommend showing your gratitude is to show them how much you appreciate the invitation to their big day. Now onto the next wedding!

There are way too many details that we loved at Amanda and Nate's wedding! They had the sweetest first look downtown & took the best Austin based portraits after their first look. We loved that Amanda chose to have a first look with her father at the venue. It was so powerful to be in a room with a couple that had SO many guests travel out of town to attend. They had the most creative seating chart - each guest got a miniature lantern with their seating assignment and it was such a beauty to see! Their florist was a family friend, who's daughter had gotten married at the Mansion last year so it's evident how over the top and well executed the floral vision was. Their dance floor was always packed - and their reverse anniversary dance was one of our favorites to witness, thanks to DJ Brandon Shabazz with Premier Entertainment! Venue: The Mansion | Photography: Moodyography | Wedding Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Florist: Kerri Renouf | Catering: Dagar's Catering | Hair + Makeup: SC Beauty | DJ: Premier Entertainment Group