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Photography: Moodyography | Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Venue: Pecan Springs Ranch | Florist: The Flower Girl | Catering: Royal Fig | Hair/Makeup: Makeup by Adrienn | Cake: Central Market | DJ: Premier Entertainment Group | Officiant: Short & Sweet Weddings | Photobooth/Drapery: Altared Weddings | Videography: Cloudcraft Studios

Photography: Angela Lally Photography | Venue: The Addison Grove | Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Florals: Something Borrowed Blooms | Hair/MU: Rachel Hill Makeup | Baker/Cake: Cakes Rock!!! | DJ: GGC Productions | Catering: PEJ Events

​A wedding guest book used to be just that... a book. However, more and more couples are moving away from traditional guest books and are using creative alternatives to add meaning & personality to their wedding day. Now, guest books can come in a variety of shapes & sizes; they can be fun, they can be useful, they can be artistic, and they can be a part of your everyday life, even after your wedding day is over. Here are some of our favorite unique guest book ideas we've seen - including paintings, globes, and polaroid pictures. We can't wait to see what our couples come up with next! FUNCTIONAL GUEST BOOKS Many of the popular "functional" guest books are ones that you can hang up in your home and use for years to come! Whether it be a classic sign with your last name or a globe for the adventurous couple, all of these are great ways to remember your special day with your special people! Sign a custom canvas, wood sign, or framed photo Painting of the couple Sign a Globe Fill a shadow box with notes Sign a puzzle piece Print an engagement picture on a puzzle, and have your guests sign a piece of the puzzle. Then after your wedding, you and your new spouse can put the puzzle together and read all of the special notes your guests left for you. ​ Sign wine bottles As hill country & wine country is amongst us in Austin, gather up a few of your favorite wines and indicate a special year, anniversary, or occasion (1 year, 5 year, 1st house, or even 1st fight) on each and have your guests sign the bottles as a guest book. Drinking wine while reading the notes your family and friends left for you is a reminder of where you came from and the journey you are on together, no matter the celebration or occasion. Sign wine corks Another guestbook idea for the wino-couple is to have guests sign individual corks to be placed in a vase, vessel, carafe, etc. See, wedding planning can be fun - it just might cost you a few bottles of wine to get through! Sign wooden chips to keep in a frame, jar, or vase INTERACTIVE GUEST BOOKS We LOVE seeing guest books that fit the couple's personality! So pick a unique and fun guest book that matches your style! These are some of the most unique guest book ideas we’ve seen so far! Sign a Jenga piece ​Set out pieces of jenga on a table with sharpie markers and have your guests sign a block piece - it’s a cheap way to have a guest book without trying to have a guest book. It’s then a fun game for you to play later on and see the well wishes as you stack and play the game. Sign a record ​For the record, records are making a huge comeback and what cooler of a guest book than having your guests signing one of your favorite vinyls? You can simply just lay out the records, or you can bring in a record player & the record sleeves as well. Leave a postcard in a “mailbox” Whether you are a traveler or not, a unique guest book idea is to have an empty mailbox with a variety of postcards for your guests to write on, and place in the mailbox. The postcards can signify where you met, where you went to college, where you got engaged, where you are honeymooning, or even places you dream of going together someday. Your guests get to choose the postcard of their liking, and can write a note for you and your new spouse.​ Sign a guitar Whether you have an extra one laying around, or decide to order a wood one on Etsy, having your guests sign a guitar is probably a first for them. After all, they are your favorite groupies and have arrived to see one of the greatest shows on earth, your wedding! Pin a travel destination on a map Nothing brings a couple together like traveling, and if that’s something you are into, a perfect guest book idea for you is pin a vacation on the map! This allows your loved ones to pin a location on a map with a special note telling you why you should add that spot to your bucket list. Then, later in your marriage when looking for the next vacation spot, you can whip out your map, see where your favorite people suggest and reasons why. It’s a win, win! Wishing tree​​ Maybe you are the first of your friends to get married, or maybe you are the last, but it’s safe to say that there are several married couples around you who have marriage advice, and wishes for you and your spouse. A wishing tree is a symbol of strength, love and longevity and well wishes from your guests will help build your future together. ​ Sign a cookbook, book, bible, etc. Place your favorite book, bible, cookbook, travel book, etc. out as a guest book for your wedding attendees to sign on a page of their choice. You can leave highlighters for guests to identify their favorite verse, quote, recipe, or destination. This can then be simply placed on the coffee table, night stand, or in the kitchen of your home for years to come (and with some special notes inside!). ​ PHOTO GUEST BOOKS One of the most seen guest books is a photo guest book! Set out a polaroid camera or have a book next to a photo booth to have your guest strike a pose and sign your book! Polaroid A unique way to incorporate all of your wedding guests as part of your big day is to see them in pictures, and inside your guest book. Setup a polaroid photo area, whether it’s stationed or not, and have your guests take a picture of themselves at your wedding. Then once the picture appears on the polaroid, have them write a little note on it, and then leave it in a picture album book. It’s fun for your guests and super easy for you to plan! Disposable cameras Set out disposable cameras for your guests on the bar, cocktail tables, and/or throughout the reception space and let your guests party like it's 1989! This way your guests will let loose on the dance floor and snap some candid personality pics, and the pictures will stay a fun mystery until you go to develop them! Engagement Photo Book A unique way to incorporate all of your wedding guests as part of your big day is to see them in pictures, and inside your guest book. Setup a polaroid photo area, whether it’s stationed or not, and have your guests take a picture of themselves at your wedding. Then once the picture appears on the polaroid, have them write a little note on it, and then leave it in a picture album book. It’s fun for your guests and super easy for you to plan! Blown Up Engagement Photo​ Is your love big and bold? Of course it is! A fun & easy way to create a guest book is to blow up one of your favorite engagement pictures for all to see & sign! Order a custom frame to place your picture in afterwards and take it wherever the future takes you Photo booth​ IN LIEU OF A GUEST BOOK If you don't want to do a guestbook, there are tons of other options to help memorialize the wedding and the guests! Give advice, words of wisdom, or best wishes to the bride & groom Future Adventures Let your guests give your recommendations on their favorite hiking spots around the world, anniversary destinations, all inclusive resorts, bands to see in concert, and any and all fun things they think you should do as a couple! Date Night Ideas Create a date idea jar, which allows your guests to get creative and give you open ended advice on how to keep your marriage alive and strong. They could include anything from their favorite restaurants in town to their best fun date ideas. Plus, they may even know you better than you know yourselves and give you some ideas you haven’t thought of! ​ Photography by: Moodyography | Tank Goodness Photo

Eat, DRINK & Be Married! But how do you determine how much alcohol to budget for and what to order for your big day? Before you jump in the car and head to the liquor store, it’s essential to keep a few things in mind.​ We've put together a guide on beer, wine, and liquor - including an alcohol calculator - as well as some of our favorite tips and tricks when it comes to alcohol for weddings! Keep reading to find out how much of your favorite spirits you should buy for your big day. CATER TO YOUR GUEST LIST #1 You’ll want to take a look at your guest list. Who are your guests? What do they drink? How much do they like to drink? Do you have heavy drinkers or casual drinkers, or are the majority of your guests not drinkers at all? #2 You’ll want to determine what kind of bar menu you wish to offer. Do you want beer and wine? Do you want liquor as well? Do you want beer, wine, and a fancy little signature drink named after your dog? It’s your big day, and you get to choose what’s on the bar menu.​ BEER & WINE Providing beer and wine exclusively at your wedding is a-okay! You might find yourself on a tighter bar budget, or you could be concerned that friends and family might hit that open bar a little too hard if liquor was available. On average, 70-80% of guests prefer beer and wine anyway. Retailers suggest for a beer and wine-only menu, about 60% of guests will drink wine, and 40% will drink beer. For the wine menu, you can match styles that go well with your catering menu, or you can select some fan favorites. Make it easy on yourself and your guests and limit the choices to a red, a white, a rose if you wish, and sparkling wine (especially if you are doing a champagne wall or champagne toast). Chardonnay’s & Cabernets are always crowd-pleasing. For the beer, you’ll want to stick to one well-known domestic brand such as Bud Light, Coors Light, or Michelob Ultra and one well-known imported brand such as Dos XX, Stella Artois, or Corona. You then can offer a few other craft beers but don’t go too overboard (consider a wheat/fruit beer, IPA, Amber, etc.). Craft beers are excellent if you want to showcase something local for your out-of-town guests or bring something from your hometown to celebrate your wedding day with. If you are on a tight budget or just love the taste of tapped beer, kegs are always a great choice (especially for domestic brands). However, if you decide to get some kegs for your big day, you’ll need to assign someone to pick those up for you on the day of (as you won’t want to have those sitting around too long before tapped and served).​ LIQUOR ​If you decide to offer hard liquor but don’t know where to start, retailers suggest 20-30% will drink cocktails. But, again, you’ll want to limit the selections of the spirits - this will keep the bar line from getting too long and be a bit easier on your wallet. Choose two or three spirits - vodka and whiskeys are wonderful fan favorites. You can also offer a rum, gin, tequila, or scotch (don’t forget the cigars!). A unique way to include liquor into your bar menu (without the risk of your guests going overboard) is to have one or two signature drinks to offer either during cocktail hour or throughout the entire reception. Some couples come up with cute names for the cocktails, naming them after their pets or sticking with the original titles but with personalized signs to showcase the selections. ​WEDDING ALCOHOL CALCULATOR Once you’ve figured out what will be on your bar menu, it’s time to figure out the math (ugh, the dreaded part!) to figure out how much guests will drink and what the cost will be to serve all these people. Luckily, there are a few online links that you can refer to! Evite's Drink Calculator BevMo's Drink Calculator Drink calculators are helpful, but if the amounts they recommend seem way off, then adjust as needed. For each adult guest, plan on two drinks for the first hour and one drink for each additional hour. So, for example, if your ceremony is at 5:30 pm, cocktail hour is 6:00 pm-7:00 pm, dinner is from 7:00 pm-8:00 pm, and the bar closes at 10:00 pm, you’ll want to plan on five drinks per person (two for cocktail hour, plus three hours of reception time). 1 beer = 1 drink 1 bottle of wine = 5 glasses of wine 1 bottle of champagne = 6 - 8 glasses of champagne 1 bottle of liquor (750mL) = 16 drinks (assuming 1.5 oz of liquor/drink) TIPS & TRICKS Keep it Simple Don’t go overboard with choices - make it simple and easy for the bartenders and your guests (the bar line will also go quicker). Limit the selections to two or three wines, three or four beers, and three or four liquors. ​ Say "No" to Shots! Most venues or bartending services will do this for you already (so you can blame it on them). But the last thing you want on your wedding day is to have your guests acting out of control. So forcing liquor to be served with mixers is a good choice for all parties involved. ​​​Provide Water As Bobby Boucher in the 1998 classic film "Waterboy" would say, "now that's what I call high-quality H2O". Whether you, the venue or bartenders are providing water, make sure there's enough for all your guests for the duration of your reception. Water will help those who decide to take advantage of that open bar, but water is also beneficial for those guests who have traveled a distance to make it. ​ Ask Yourself Who, What, When, Where, How Who - Who is picking up, delivering, and taking any leftover booze home? A father, uncle, or groomsmen is a solid choice - just make sure the vehicle they are in can carry it all, and of course, make sure they are drinking responsibly! What - What items do you need for your bar? Do you need to provide ice, cups, bar napkins, straws, mixers, and garnishes? Do the bartenders need a recipe for your signature cocktail? When - When does the alcohol need to be delivered to the venue? Does it need to come iced down and in coolers? Where - Where is everything getting delivered at the venue? Where does it need to be set up? Where is it going after the reception? How - How do attendees know what's available? Are you providing signage? Turn to the Experts Some liquor stores offer a delivery service. Taking advantage of this service and having them deliver straight to your venue could be a great time saver and headache releaser. Also, don't be shy to ask the liquor store for their advice or expertise. They are willing to help calculate your menu for you, and some places will even offer a discount for buying items in bulk. Get Creative You don't have to leave the creativity at the bar - let the menu and bar items reflect you as a couple and your wedding vibe. You can create customized beer koozies, garnish drinks with edible flowers, enhance a flavor profile that's important to you. Show off a champaign wall as guests enter the cocktail hour, print creative bar signs, purchase personalized bar napkins, offer beer from the college town the two of you met in, serve the drinks in vintage glassware; the possibilities are endless. ​ ​ Photography: Moodyography | Britni Dean Photography

Featured on June Bug Weddings MEME + CLIFF STYLES Photography by Ki Visuals FROM THE BEGINNING Clifton L. Styes and Jameila “Meme” Taliaferro met at a highschool Black Student Union dance in 1995. She was 14 and he was 15. Their first dance was to D’Angelo’s “Brown Sugar.” He was this really cool new kid at Rancho Buena Vista High school and she was a well known cheerleader at El Camino High. It allhat night he convinced Meme to break up with her then boyfriend (who was not at the dance) and leave room for him. A few months later, Meme and Cliff bumped into each other at the mall. Meme completely forgot his name, but that did not stop Cliff from writing his name and phone number in her planner. They became friends, and then best friends who started going to church together and making long bus trips across town just to meet each other. Cliff was always really funny. He would walk her onto the bus acting like Dezi talking to Lucy, singing how much he would miss her till the morning. In 1999 Jalisa Styles, the couples first child, was born. Cliff had enlisted in the Air Force and was ready to create a home for his new family. In 2000, they married and moved to Vandenberg AFB in California. In 2001, their second child, Clifton Kamaal Styles was born in Lompoc, CA. In 2003, things got tough because of the war in Iraq. Cliff enthusiastically volunteered to be one of the first to touch down in Baghdad. He fought bravely for years in Iraq. In 2005, he chose to go into the Army and soon after, Joshua Zion Styles was born right before Cliff’s departure for a 2nd and 3rd tour in Iraq, but this time with the Army. These were really traumatic fights and like most Army families, they relied on their friends and fellow soldiers to cope with the realities of such a long war. They moved from California to Alaska, back down to the lower 48 and settled in Austin, Texas in 2014 after Cliff had retired It was also the height of the Black Lives Matter movement which Meme was heavily involved in and Cliff was struggling to find his place after serving such a long time at war. After a very difficult break, they decided to divorce, but throughout the entire separation they longed for one another and for their family being back together. During this time of separation Meme poured herself into her organization, MEASURE filling every moment with the work of social justice. "I began grieving for my family. I knew that God was calling me to put my pride aside and run back to the husband that he gave me years before.” ​On December 24, 2019 Cliff asked Meme to be his wife for the 2nd time while on a trip to Disney World with their family. She happily said yes. WEDDING + COVID They were to be wed at NXNW on May 9th, 2020. It was finally going to be their first REAL wedding, but it was to also be some sort of family reunion. They had multiple generations ready to come to Austin to celebrate our reunion and the rebuilding of our family. Months of planning went into the special date. The wedding cake was even created to be a symbol of generational love, with the cake depicting pictures of our ancestors. They were forced to cancel the wedding in mid-March and had to break the news to our family and friends that there were no plans to reschedule due to the uncertainty of the virus. NXNW closed their doors forever on April 16th, 2020. Photography by Ki Visuals CAMPAIGNS MEASURE works to use data and education to empower communities to eliminate social disparities. Using their CARE Model process, they ensure lifestyle experience data of marginalized populations is leveraged by communities and institutions to design and implement equitable solutions to address social disparities. Data is not used effectively or collaboratively in the social justice ecosystem. As a result, the lifestyle of people of color is underestimated as a vital resource for equitable planning, evaluation and policy. MEASURE empowers people impacted by social, economic, and political disparities to deconstruct underlying narratives and work together to find equitable solutions. One of their most front-running collaborations is the Innocence Initiative. It is a multifaceted approach to protecting Black girls from unfair treatment. MEASURE is working to create policy recommendations and has provided training to over 700 juvenile youth defenders by creating a comic book that is for the empowerment of Black Girls. They also were able to step up during COVID to provide direct support to Black girls through mental wellness support, technology access, food and monitorship. Photography by Ki Visuals "This is just the beginning," MEASURE founder, Meme Styles stated. "We are trying to reimagine public safety and that can't happen in a vacuum. We have to take very close consideration of what the community deems as critical to public safety. I think the city wants to get this right, they just don't know how. But this proposal shows they are listening." TODAY'S FOCUS ​They are working to continue the re-imagination process of public safety by supporting the city with research and education on how to improve. They are continuing their work to empower Black girls. LEARN MORE APD starts shrinking: Council set to make cuts now Activist Meme Styles on why data is key to eliminating social, racial disparities in Austin Pflugerville Council gives initial OK to forming equity panel​​ THE GIVEAWAY Coloring love into our community The nominees Meme + Cliff Styles are set to wed at the Union on Eighth in Georgetown on July 25th, 2021 courtesy of the Austin wedding industry who donated over $30,000 worth of wedding products and services.

Here is a free wedding day packing list to help you make sure you have everything you need on your wedding day!

Out with the old, in with the new! Traditions are everywhere, and there’s a few that come quickly to mind when we think about wedding traditions - white dress, matching bridesmaid dresses, not seeing your fiance before the wedding, walking down the aisle with your father, traditional first dance, bouquet & garter toss, wedding cake. The list can go on and on, but the phrase “something old, something new” reminds us that we could & should be doing something new, something fresh, something out of the box, so here are some twists to those traditional wedding traditions, to allow & give yourself permission to embrace, personalize and trend set your wedding day. ​ SOMETHING OLD: MATCHING BRIDESMAID DRESSES SOMETHING NEW: MIS-MATCHED BRIDESMAID DRESSES It’s safe to say that most brides-to-be have seen “27 Dresses” and thankfully the haunting & daunting “bridesmaid” dress requirements have finally come to a fork in the road. While some love the coordination and simplicity of having all bridesmaids wear the same dress & the same color, a lot of bride tribes are choosing their own unique looks to put that personality front & center. There’s a few ways to mis-match, yet coordinate the dresses - whether you choose to have everyone in the same color, yet different styles, or have completely different colors, patterns & styles for each bridesmaid. Whatever you choose, it’s a fun way to embrace the individuals of the wedding party. SOMETHING OLD: 1 FLOWER GIRL + 1 RING BEARER SOMETHING NEW: MINI MAIDS & RING BEARS! Whether you choose to have flower girls and ring bearers a part of your ceremony or not, throw out any assumptions of what it should look like. Do you have a ton of nieces & little girls in your friend circle? Incorporate all the littles into mini maids, because girls just wanna have fun! Or do you want to put a spin on the traditional ring bearers? Have them dress up like actual bears! Or if you have a group of both girls & boys, have them come down the aisle like a parade, waving ribbon banners, boys tossing flowers, girls walking your dogs - whatever you choose to make your ceremony unique, the kids & your guests will all have a grand time! ​ SOMETHING OLD: NOT SEEING YOUR SIGNIFICANT OTHER BEFORE THE CEREMONY SOMETHING NEW: FIRST LOOK Some may say that it’s bad luck to see your future spouse before the ceremony, or some would rather save that anticipating debut as they walk down the aisle - whether it’s for religious or superstitious reasons, one of the biggest wedding traditions is not seeing your significant other before the ceremony. First looks have become more and more popular - it allows the couple to have some private time before the big day begins, it allows for very memorable pictures, and also allows for more time enjoying the cocktail hour & reception, as you’ll be able to knock out a majority of bridal pictures before the ceremony begins. Not sure if a first look is for you? You can always do a first touch, or first prayer (and wait for that first look as you walk down the aisle). Or choose to do a first look with your dad, your brothers, your bridesmaids, your moms! Revealing yourself as a bride for the first time can be one of the best feelings, especially after all of the months or years of planning! SOMETHING OLD: WALKING DOWN THE AISLE WITH 1 PARENT SOMETHING NEW: WALK DOWN THE AISLE WITH BOTH PARENTS One of the most anticipated moments of the wedding day, is finally walking down the aisle, and traditionally, brides will walk down with their father, and the father will give her away to the fiance. But in some family dynamics, it’s both parents, or maybe the mother, or maybe the brother that’s played a huge impact in your life. What a precious moment to acknowledge your relationship with them and have them walk you down the aisle (just make sure the aisle is wide enough for multiple people to walk next to you!) ​ SOMETHING OLD: FIRST ROW RESERVED SEATING SOMETHING NEW: REVERSE FIRST ROW SEATING Traditionally, when you look down the aisle to the altar, the bride & her family will be on the left, and the groom & his family will be on the left. But, more recently, we’ve seen more families switch the side that they sit on. Why you ask? It’s so the family members can see the face of their son or daughter, rather than seeing the back or side of their head. SOMETHING OLD: LITTLE KIDS AS FLOWER GIRL & RING BEARER SOMETHING NEW: GRANDPARENTS AS FLOWER GIRL & RING BEARER Kids are cute, especially at weddings, but one trend that we’re personally loving, is having grandparents as the flower girl & ring bearers. Honestly, it’s probably been decades since they’ve been in a wedding, and what better way to start off a marriage than to recognize and honor some of the longest lasting marriages. SOMETHING OLD: TRADITIONAL FIRST DANCE SOMETHING NEW: CHOREOGRAPHED FIRST DANCE ​The traditional first dance is almost always swaying, to a slow first-dance song. But DJ, turn it up! Feel free to liven up that first dance and choose a song that you actually want to dance to. A trend we are seeing a lot of today are choreographed first dances, whether that’s to a slow love song, or mixing it up with a different style of dancing such as tango, or salsa, or 2-step. You’ll be sure to grab the attention of your guests, and you and your fiance can learn something new together, before your happily ever after begins. SOMETHING OLD: CLASSIC WEDDING CAKE CUTTING SOMETHING NEW: WEDDING CAKE ALTERNATIVES One of our favorite things at weddings, is the dessert - how sweet it is! A wedding cake has been a tradition since ancient Rome, but that doesn’t mean you have to take a bite into it on your wedding day. There’s a variety of desserts out there, and one of our favorites to see is a non-traditional “cake” cutting. Get creative here & select a dessert that you and your fiance love. Are you into donus? Cut into an oversized donut? Are you obsessed with cheese? Cut into a stack of cheese wheels! Pancakes, waffles, cheesecake, cupcakes, pies, cinnamon rolls - the options are endless, and trust us, no one will miss the cake! ​ SOMETHING OLD: ANNIVERSARY DANCE SOMETHING NEW: REVERSE ANNIVERSARY DANCE One way to honor love at weddings is to arrange the anniversary dance, where all married couples start on the dance floor and throughout the song, the DJ will narrow down the years married and dismiss those couples until the longest-married couple is left on the dance floor. But a spin on this anniversary dance is to do it in reverse and have the DJ call up couples as the song goes on, that way you end up with a crowd on the dance floor, ready to kick off the dance party! SOMETHING OLD: STICKING WITH TRADITIONAL ENTERTAINMENT SOMETHING NEW: LIVE ENTERTAINMENT When we first meet with couples, one of our questions we ask is to describe their ideal wedding reception, and the word fun, almost always comes to fruition. We’ve seen a lot of entertainment ideas, such as backyard games, photo booths, dance parties, etc. Some of our favorite wedding trends that are quickly coming to surface are live entertainment - such as cigar rollers, beer burros & alpachas, and our favorite yet, live paintings capturing moments of your reception & wedding guests! ​ Photography: A Sea of Love | Britni Dean Photography | Feather & Twine | ​Moodyography

Church: Saint Mary Cathedral | Venue: The Addison Grove | Photography: Angela Sostarich Photography | Planner: Ashley Nicole Affair | Florist: White's Floral Design | Catering/Cake: Royal Fig Catering | Hair/MUA: Katy Reddell Beauty | DJ: Brian Weber | Videography: Crescent Films | Transportation: Uptown Valet

If you need one more way to make a statement and to add personality and creativity to your big day, it’s by incorporating a seating chart. But you might be wondering... what’s the purpose of a seating chart? Do I need one? How do I create one? And how do I choose one that’s right for our wedding day? That’s why we’ve collected some basic knowledge about seating charts, as well as some fun & creative ideas to help guide your guests to their perfect seat. WHAT'S THE PURPOSE OF A SEATING CHART? Plain and simple - seating charts are designed to direct your wedding guests to an assigned table at the wedding reception. By telling your guests what table they are seated at, it eliminates the confusion on where they should seat, and helps to streamline the amount of time it takes for guests to select their seat, especially if you are on a pretty strict limeline for dinner, speeches, traditional rituals, etc. ​ WHAT TYPE OF WEDDING NEEDS A SEATING CHART? ​ ​The most common weddings that incorporate seating charts are those that are large, or those categorized as more formal weddings, but honestly, any wedding can embrace one. Seating charts can be a forward way to group your friends and family together (or to keep some people away from each other) and you can categorize the tables as you find necessary. It can be stressful and time consuming to put together, but most find it important to group people together that know each other, such as family members,grandparents, cousins, college friends, work friends, neighbors, the single people, etc. ADVICE WHEN IT COMES TO MAKING A SEATING CHART: Group Them Categorize your guests by who they are and what are they about Layout Traditionally, plan to seat your immediate family near you (whether you decide to have a sweetheart table or head table), while you can seat your friends near the sides or back, or near the bar. Design It Feel free to get creative and unique here by matching it with your wedding colors, your theme, your venue, etc Tips: Make it legible - the seating chart should be clear and easy to read with a font big enough for all to read Keep It Simple: organize and create it so the view can easily pinpoint their name and their assigned table Provide Order - you can either organize by table number or name, or both, but the easier the order, the quicker your guests can find their table, and the quicker you can start the party! Display It Whether you decide to place it on an easel, stand it on a ladder, or create a stand or hanging seating chart, there’s a variation of ways to display it SEATING CHART & ESCORT CARDS - WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? ​Escort cards are individual place cards for each guest, either at a welcome table for them to pick up and place at their specific seat, or you can go one step further and place at each seat, depending on their specific table assignment. A seating chart works for any wedding, whether you have a buffet or food stations, whereas escort cards are designed for plated meal style services (with a specific identifier to let catering know what entree you have selected to eat). ​ WANT OUR OPINION ON SEATING CHARTS? ​ At the end of the day, the wedding reception is almost always meant for everyone to have a good time, and by grouping people together that know each other, it’s a positive way to start your reception off in the right direction. Nothing is worse than awkward small talk, awkward silence, or dreaded family tension with people they either don’t know, or don’t want to be in the same room with. If you have older guests, place them at tables that are easily accessible, and if you have a group of wild friends, maybe keep them in the back, near the bar. Although it can be a lot of work upfront on your end organizing who is sitting with whom, and where, we believe it’s worth it, especially because there are so many creative seating chart ideas out there. CREATIVE SEATING CHART IDEAS - ETSY & ZAZZLE ARE OUR GO TO’S! Acrylic Signs - clear and classy acrylic signs to hang on a backdrop, or place on an easel Vintage Mirrors - handwritten vintage mirror to bring that classic looks Bud Vases - with individual name cards Frames - individual table number frames with list of guests at each table Champagne Flutes - with individual name cards Records - record per table, with list of names for each table Leaves or Flower Seeds - with individual name cards Tequila or Mini-Booze Bottles - with individual name cards Jars - Honey, Jams, Jelly Beans, Pecans - with individual name cards Fruit - Lemons, Limes, Oranges = with individual name cards Ladder - a fun way to display your decor and seating chart Scrolls - hang from a backdrop or stand Hanging Signs - fishing wire to help hang near the entrance Photography: ​The Teagues | Main Squeeze Photography | Dani Quiroz Photography

THE. WEDDING. BUDGET. It’s safe to say that one of the first to-do items on your wedding planning checklist should be and will be your wedding budget. The venue, catering & bar, and florals are usually a big big portion of that budget, but there is one more vendor that should be considered on the top of your wedding budget and that is a wedding planner. Most brides-to-be realize that they need a planner after they’ve planned their own engagement party. Between deciding all the details, answering all of the questions and managing all the specifics, you may quickly realize that you weren’t able to enjoy your party as much as you would have if you put all of the planning into someone else’s hands. ...It’s not too late to make the switch - the years, months, weeks leading up to your wedding can be as hectic, or as easy going as you like, and investing into a planner could be the best decision you’ll make in this process. Before we jump into justifying the cost of a wedding planner and answering the dreaded “why are wedding planners so expensive” question, we should help explain some of the wedding planner duties that can help make your nuptials a walk in the park and justify the cost. PACKAGE OPTIONS There are a few different tiers of planning packages, ranging from full-service to partial service, to month-of service and day-of. You may or may not need a full-service planner and you may opt for a month-of coordination package. Let’s face it, most of us work full time, so we don’t have time to plan a wedding - the package has to make sense for you and your partner, but hey, that’s what wedding planners are there for. Their goal, passion and time is dedicated to you - they are there to take the stress out of your wedding planning process, regardless of the level of service you select. Your wedding planner is the main point of contact for all vendors, family members and friends (she easily can become your BFF during this process!). ​ BENEFITS OF A PLANNER There are a few reasons why hiring a wedding planner can be beneficial to your budget and overall planning process. If you select a planner who’s well-respected in the industry and who’s been in the business for a while, they can actually help save you money because they have strong relationships and partnerships with other trusted vendors. They will advocate for you, your vision, your budget, and they’ll know exactly what venues & vendors to reach out to first, and also which ones to avoid completely. Planners also have all of the technology and templates to easily execute your custom floor plan, timeline, vendor lists, etc. They also provide innovative ideas you may not have otherwise thought of and even better, they provide honest feedback. But, their main duties are all about understanding the couple’s needs & desires, and bring their wedding dreams to life. They communicate for you, research for you, fight for you and your budget, they manage your timeline and coordinate on the day to ensure it’s seamless and stress-free CHAOS COORDINATORS They can fix the stain on the wedding gown, give orders to 3 assistants, calm down the overly stressed Mother of the Bride, line up 5 intoxicated groomsmen, and cue the ceremony music . . . all at the same time. Sounds like a chaotic mess, but it’s what planners are hired for! A wedding planner works for you . ., yes, YOU, the bride and their clients needs, desires, goals and vision are the top priority. A wedding planner is responsible for managing all details of your wedding, and is looking out for your best interests. Wedding planners wear many hats - they coordinate all the details, your floorplan, your timeline, your vendors, and all of the small things in between. They initiate family mediation (which is a hard task to take on!), they manage wedding finances and make sure your payments are on time, they offer decor, design & fashion advice, they schedule and coordinate vendor meetings & tastings, they can help setup wedding websites, send invites & track RSVP’s. They will personally be responsible for making sure your dream & vision is brought to life, from making sure you eat lunch because you’re nervous getting ready for the big day, to lining up everyone for the ceremony, to handing you your favorite drink after your vows, to the centerpieces & table settings and putting out your grandparents wedding pictures, to bustling your dress for your first dance, to cueing the DJ, to walking you through the cake cutting procedure, to packing up your wedding gifts, and then coordinating all of your guests for your grand exit. What don’t they do?! BUT, WHY?! Passion is what wedding planners live for and if you see us crying when you walk down the aisle, it’s not because we are stressed, but it’s because we’ve spent your entire engagement & wedding planning process with you, designing and organizing your perfect day. You’ll become more than a bride to us - you’ll become a friend, a best friend. That’s a wedding planner’s dream. It’s said that a talented wedding planner is a gift you give yourself and then wonder how you ever thought you could manage without one. Photography: The Teagues | Moodyography | Britni Dean Photography | Feather & Twine | Honey Gem Creative | Dani Quiroz Photography ​

Vendor Contributions:​ Photography: Dani Quiroz Photography | Planning: Ashley Nicole Affair | Ceremony Venue: Saint Mary Cathedral | Reception Venue: The Allan House | Florist: Bouquets of Austin | Hair/MUA: Chic Occasion | Cake/Baker: Sugar Mama's Bakery | Bartending: Elevate Bartending | Rentals: Marquee | Catering: The Salt Lick | Musician/DJ: Premier Entertainment Group | Videography: Cloudcraft Studios | Dress: Ashley & Justin Bride

One of our favorite things about weddings is how uniquely different they all are, and trust us - we've seen a lot of weddings! Yes, every wedding has a few of the same things, like a ceremony with vows, rings, the "I Do's." And most weddings have a reception with food and drinks, flowers, cake, music, and dancing. But how do you make your wedding stand out from all of the rest? How do you incorporate your story, your personality, your favorite things into your big day? Some engaged couples have that creative juice already flowing, and some may need a little list to spark that vision. Because ultimately, we believe your wedding should reflect you and your partner so that it feels genuinely and authentically yours. Here are ten ways you can personalize your wedding day. ​ THE WEDDING OUTFITS One of the most natural ways to represent yourself as an individual is through clothing. It's something we do every day, so why not do the same on your wedding day? Don't be afraid to showcase your personality and uniqueness on the biggest day of your life. Who says the bride has to wear white and stilettos? Feel free to wear color, wear black, wear converse shoes or flip flops, get creative with the accessories; you can even do an outfit change. It's your day, and anything goes! Maybe the groom would be more comfortable in his cowboy hat and boots, and perhaps he wants to get matching sports-themed socks for him and all of the guys! Don't just stop there with the happy couple; extend the personalized look to your bride tribe and groomsmen. The best part about getting married right now is that there aren't any rules - just do you! THE REGISTRY Who doesn't love gifts, especially when you know you're going to love every gift you receive? An easy way to personalize your wedding day is to customize your wedding registry. You can start by hand-selecting each item, from things you want to stuff you actually need. Don't feel like you need to add items on your registry that you'll never use, or even worse, you don't even like. If you and your significant other love to cook, focus on things for the kitchen - there are enough gadgets for all your guests to choose from. If you love to be outside, focus on those patio purchases. If you love to travel, explore, stay active, choose non-traditional wedding gift items like camping gear, workout equipment, or luggage. You may also want to choose a registry that offers multiple stores and websites to be listed all on one list (I mean, who doesn't love Amazon!) rather than sticking to one or two retailers. Your registry can also include activities or spa treatments that you can redeem on your honeymoon. ​ ​THE WELCOME BAGS & PARTY FAVORS It's safe to say that Austin is a hot destination location for weddings, and for most couples, at least a handful, if not more, of their guests are from out of town. Welcome bags are a super easy way to personalize your day and showcase Austin as your wedding location, especially for all of those out-of-town guests. Gather up some of your favorite things, unique items that represent you, your fiance, and your city, and start filling up some goodie bags to welcome your guests to your wedding weekend. Add your favorite snacks, favorite drinks, sports-related items, music, "Keep Austin Weird" souvenirs, anything and everything you can think of! Similarly, do this with party favors - think of something special to send your guests home with that will help them remember your wedding. There are many classic options: honey or jam, candy, chocolate, shot glasses, bottle openers, wine glasses, matchboxes, succulents, and polaroid pictures. Whatever you choose, it's just one more way to personalize your day and make it stand out from the rest. ​THE OFFICIANT & WEDDING PARTY Who you choose as your officiant and wedding party can really set the tone for your wedding day, specifically the ceremony. Some couples have decided to select officiants they've known beforehand, such as family members and friends. Having an officiant that knows you personally can bring a unique and cherished element to the ceremony (rather than having a complete stranger marrying you). Those who stand up by you as a couple can speak volumes as well - these are going to be your biggest fans, your ride or dies, your tribe. The wedding party comes in all sizes, ages, genders, and backgrounds. You can even choose to incorporate your furry friend into your big day. Here's an idea - forget the young flower girls and ring bearers and encourage grandma and grandpa to be a part of the ceremony instead. THE VOWS OR HANDWRITTEN NOTES The thought of writing your own vows can be daunting to some, but to others, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to speak from the heart to the one you love in front of all of your favorite people. Vows are promises expressing how the couple intends to live and give to their marriage. Nothing says "personalized" more than your own words to each other. Although, if writing your vows yourself isn't quite your thing, consider exchanging handwritten notes to each other, whether it's in front of each other or separately in private. THE CHOREOGRAPHY One notable trend we have seen a lot of lately is a choreographed first dance between the newlyweds. It's different and unexpected for your guests to see, but it's also a memorable and touching way for you both to connect. You can even take it a step further (literally) and arrange a choreographed dance with your bridal party - trust us, it will be better than the cupid shuffle! THE STATIONERY & SIGNAGE THE MENU A simple and easy way to personalize your wedding day is by creating custom stationery with items such as save the dates, invitations, ceremony programs, food & bar menus, place cards, table numbers, thank you notes, etc. You may opt to keep the theme consistent throughout the items with fonts and colors. Personalize them further with monograms, watercolor pictures of you two, custom acrylics, hashtags, whatever you choose, make the personalized statement early, and keep it going throughout your big day! Finally, one of our favorite topics... food! One common thing that caterers will tell couples is to choose food that YOU want to eat - don't try to please everyone (trust us - you won't succeed.) Some couples will select food menus that go well with their venues, such as BBQ or Italian, and some couples will choose traditional menus that incorporate their heritage and background. The options are endless! If you're like me, you have so many favorite foods that maybe stations are the best option to help satisfy your many cravings. Or do something fun, unique, and trendy like having food trucks. Don't forget about the appetizers, the desserts, and late-night snacks (who doesn't love a Whataburger Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit at midnight)! This is the fun part of wedding planning - listing out all of your favorite foods, desserts, 4th meals, and then finding ways to incorporate these into your reception. You can also consider specialty place settings such as chinaware, napkins, water goblets, flatware, etc. - whatever you can make uniquely yours, do it! THE BAR & SIGNATURE COCKTAILS Almost just as important as the food menu is the bar menu. And because Austin has so many dedicated beers, wines, and brands, the bar is undoubtedly an effortless way to bring your personality forward. Most venues in the Austin area allow you to bring your own alcohol. This option will save you money and give you the ability to bring exactly what you like to drink. You can hand-select all offerings on the bar and take it a step further by creating signature cocktails (heck, you can even name them) that are specific for each newlywed. Have a whiskey tasting station or pass out frozen cocktail popsicles to guests on the dance floor. Bust out the mason jars or the custom wine glasses, and get creative by customizing the bar napkins with your monogram or fun facts about you two! Alcohol - because no great story started with someone eating a salad! THE ENTERTAINMENT​ Wedding entertainment looks different to each couple. It can vary from music (live band, DJ, solo musician, etc.), yard games, photo booths, karaoke, cigar rollers, canvas painters, fortune tellers, beer burros & llamas; the list goes on. And again, because there's a wide range of options to choose from, select entertainment that showcases you as a couple because if you love the entertainment you choose, your guests will too! Don't forget everybody loves a surprise firework show or confetti cannons on the dance floor!