Archive for April, 2011
Fairytale Wedding: Prince William and Princess Kate
Friday, April 29th, 2011
Photos courtesy of MSNBC Today Show
Congratulations to Duke William and Dutchess Catherine on their royal wedding.
The Dress
Catherine Middleton’s wedding dress was designed by Sarah Burton at Alexander McQueen. The dress is made with ivory and white satin gazar. The train measures 9 feet. The ivory satin bodice, which is narrowed at the waist and padded at the hips, draws on the Victorian tradition of corsetry and is a hallmark of Alexander McQueen’s designs. The back is finished with 58 gazar and organza covered buttons fastened by Rouleau loops. The underskirt is made of silk tulle trimmed with Cluny lace.
Jewlery And Veil
The veil is made of layers of soft, ivory silk tulle with a trim of hand-embroidered flowers. The veil is held in place by a Cartier ‘halo’ tiara, lent to Miss Middleton by The Queen. The Bride’s earrings, by Robinson Pelham, are diamond-set stylised oak leaves with a pear shaped diamond set drop and a pavé set diamond acorn suspended in the centre. The earrings were a personal gift to the Bride from her parents for her Wedding Day.
The Bouquet
The bouquet is a shield-shaped wired bouquet of myrtle, lily-of-the-valley, sweet William and hyacinth. The bouquet was designed by Shane Connolly and draws on the traditions of flowers of significance for the Royal Family, the Middleton family and on the Language of Flowers.
Tags: Catherine Middleton, dresses, Duke William and Dutchess Catherine, HRH Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Kate and William Kiss, Kate and William Kiss on the balcony, Kate and William wedding, Prince William, Prince William and Catherine Middleton, Prince William and Princess Kate, royal wedding, Royal Wedding 2011, royal wedding prince william and kate, royal wedding william and kate, wedding, wedding ideas, weddings
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Bride of the Week: Kaylan Brown
Wednesday, April 27th, 2011
It’s the little things you do that make me want to hold on forever.
-Hiei Kaganshi
The Wedding Guide would like to congratulate Wedding Guide bride Kaylan Brown on her engagement!
Kaylan and Brandon are not your typical high school sweethearts. Kaylan was an agriculture student and Brandon was the popular guy. Kaylan always had an interest in Brandon. She never built up enough courage to approach him. Brandon worked at a local feed shop, but Kaylan always managed to magically run out of feed to visit his store and admire him from afar.
They two finally met after Brandon’s father and Mindy, a family friend of Kaylan got married. Mindy always knew that Kaylan liked Brandon. As his new stepmother this was the perfect way to get them to meet. Both their parents arranged a dinner where the two finally met. Brandon confessed to Kaylan that he was always attracted to her but never could get up the courage to ask her out either. After a few weeks the two made it official. They have been inseparable ever since. The two enjoy their time together. They love to spend their time out doors; going fishing, riding 4-wheelers, riding horses and playing with their chocolate Labrador, Moose.
On March 5, 2011, Brandon invited Kaylan to go on a ride on their 4-wheelers, they drove up to a sign that Brandon made, upon reading the “Marry Me?” sign, Kaylan became overwhelmed with emotion. Brandon got off the 4-wheeler got down on one knee next to Moose and asked Kaylan to be his wife. She said, “YES!”
They are in the process of planning the wedding at the Red Corral Ranch in Wimberley, Tx on October 20, 2012. They are having a rustic/western themed wedding and Kaylan tells us, “I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with Brandon.”
Tags: Austin, Bride of the Week, engagements, Red Corral Ranch, Texas, TX, wedding, wedding engagements, weddings, WimberleyPosted in Bride of the Week | No Comments »
Simply about detail: accents for your chairs
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011Submitted by Clink
Photography courtesy of: la Vie Photography, Eclectic Images, Jennifer Lindberg Weddings and Red Fly Photography
Chair accents can be as simple as chair jackets, or they can be unique, personalized and eye-catching with some floral touches! Here are some ways to make your seats the best in the house:
- Mr. and Mrs. signs – This is the first glimpse of your new name in print. Paper signs made to match your stationary can be attached to your chairs with a gorgeous ribbon in your color palette.
- Floral décor – Wedding florists can craft your initials out of flowers to hang on your chairs. Or create small wreaths to hang from ribbon on your chairs.
- Bride and Groom signs – You can find these signs at wedding boutiques and web sites everywhere. Pick something that represents the style of your wedding. Have a rustic feel? Have your names branded on pieces of wood. Going for the drama? Have a calligrapher handwrite your names on mirrors and attach them to your chairs. If you are having a Spring garden wedding, you can use vintage tin signs.
Keep in mind it can be something you can use for your memory book. Make it interesting, have fun making them.
Tags: Advice, Austin, Clink, Decor, Event Ideas, Flowers, wedding, wedding decor, wedding details, wedding flowers, wedding ideas, weddings
Posted in Decor, Details | No Comments »
Congratulations to our Facebook contest winners
Thursday, April 21st, 2011Congratulations to the winners of our Facebook contest, Andrea Lahm & Gloria Bautista are the winners of our engagement ring picture contest! Thank you to all the brides that participated. Enjoy these pictures of the beautiful rings. Visit our Austin Wedding Guide Facebook and San Antonio Wedding Guide Facebook daily for more contests, giveaways, tips and announcements for our brides!
San Antonio Engagement Rings
Austin Engagement Rings
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Bride of the Week: Angie Hernandez
Wednesday, April 20th, 2011
Two souls and one thought, two hearts and one pulse.
-Halen
The Wedding Guide would like to congratulate Wedding Guide bride Angie Hernandez on her engagement!
Angie Hernandez and Colin De Los Santos met in Austin in 2010 after Angie moved there to pursue a teaching career. While attending a birthday party, Angie was introduced to a musician named Colin and ended up playing darts, sharing stories, and even dancing to Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.”
After the birthday party, Angie and Colin were inseparable. One Saturday morning Angie and Colin were enjoying a lazy day around the house when Colin reached under his pillow and pulled out an orange box. Colin opened the box and showed Angie a silver band with and emerald green stone and asked Angie to be his wife. Through the tears and shock, she was able to get out a “YES!”
Angie tells us, “It was so surreal; I was going to get to spend the rest of my life with Colin- the man of my dreams, my best friend and the love of my life.”
Angie and Colin are getting married September 4, 2011.
Tags: Austin, Bride of the Week
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Tunes to remember: song suggestions for your wedding
Tuesday, April 19th, 2011Submitted by: Cutting Edge Entertainment
Bride and Groom First Dance:
At Last – Etta James
Crazy Love – Van Morrison
God Bless The Broken Road – Rascall Flats
In Your Eyes – Peter Gabriel
It’s Your Love – Tim McGraw
Let’s Stay Together – Al Green
Me and You – Kenny Chesney
Still The One – Shania Twain
Then – Brad Paisley
Father/Daughter Dance:
A Song For My Daughter – Ray Allaire
A Whole New World – Bryson & Belle
Always Beautiful In My Eyes – Joshua Kadison
Because You Loved Me – Celine Dion
Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
Butterfly Kisses – Bob Carlisle
Can You Feel The Love Tonight – Elton John
Could Not Ask For More – Sarah Evans
Daddy’s Hands – Holly Dunn
Daddy’s Little Girl – Mills Brothers
Don’t Wanna Miss A Thing – Aerosmith
Father’s Eyes – Amy Grant
Fire and Rain – James Taylor
Forever Young – Rod Stewart
Have I Told You Lately – Rod Stewart
Heaven Is Missing An Angel – 98 Degrees
Here Comes The Sun – George Harrison
Hero – Mariah Carey
How Do You Fall In Love – Alabama
I Hope You Dance – LeAnn Womack
I Loved Her First – Heartland
In My Arms – Mark Wills
Isn’t She Lovely – Stevie Wonder
Just The Way You Are – Billy Joel
Kiss By A Rose – Seal
Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
My Father’s Eyes – Eric Clapton
My Girl – Temptations
My Heart Will Go On – Celine Dion
Stand By Me – Ben E. King
The Way You Do… – Temptations
The Way You Look Tonight – Frank Sinatra
There You’ll Be – Faith Hill
Through The Years – Kenny Rogers
Unforgettable – Natalie Cole w/ Nat King Cole
What A Wonderful World – Louis Armstrong
When I Said I Do – Clint Black
When You Say Nothing At All - Allison Krauss
Wind Beneath My Wings – Bette Midler
Wonderful Tonight – Eric Clapton
You Are So Beautiful – Joe Cocker
You Are The Sunshine Of My Life – Stevie Wonder
You Look So Good In Love – George Strait
You Needed Me – Anne Murray
You’re Something Special To Me – George Strait
Your Song – Elton John
Groom/Mother Dance:
Bridal Party Dance:
Bridal Party/Bride and Groom Entrances:
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Go "green" on your wedding day
Monday, April 18th, 2011
You’ve probably noticed that “green” is everywhere these days: in the news, politics, fashion, and even technology. A great way to begin your green lifestyle is to start at your wedding. Green weddings are becoming more and more popular. How do you go green at your wedding? We have the tips and tricks to make your special day especially environmentally safe.
Start with the ring
- Use lab-created diamonds
- Use one-of-a-kind wooden bands
- Get vintage rings, whether a family heirloom or an antique
- Pick diamonds mined in peaceful Canada or Australia; these diamonds will be certified as “conflict-free”
Eco-friendly wedding venues
- Choose a venue that is convenient for most guests to minimize traveling
- Have the ceremony and the reception at the same place to avoid traveling
- Provide eco-friendly transportation between ceremony and reception if you are holding them at different locations; such as hybrid cars
- Choose an eco-friendly venue, Barr Mansion is one of Austin’s wedding venues that is a certified organic event facility
Green Invitations
- Use recycled paper
- Use handmade invitations
- Look for invitations printed with vegetable- or soy-based inks
- Use non-metallic or plastic-coated paper, this makes them harder to be recycled
- Find a printer who will use paper with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content
- Send a postcard instead of multi-enveloped notes for your save-the-date
- Use online invitations or a wedding website to let people know about the gift registry, rehearsal dinner, and bachelorette parties
- Use tree-free paper made out of hemp, banana stalks, bamboo, or organic cotton
Attire & Accessories
- Go vintage
- Pick a wedding dress and bridesmaid’s dresses that can be worn again
- Use all-natural makeup
- Use non-aerosol body spray and hairspray
- Donate your dresses to charity
- Use fabrics such as bamboo, hemp, organic silk or cotton
- Find your groom’s suit and shirt in organic cotton or wool
Decorations
- Use organic flowers
- Find a florist who will use locally raised flowers
- Use branches, greens, berries, or live plants
- Give seeds as a favor to have your guests plant new greenery
- Use soy-based or beeswax candles
- Reuse decorations from the ceremony to the reception
- Use natural products such as leaves as place cards
- Use organic rose petals, biodegradable confetti or bubbles for your send-off
- Donate the flowers to a hospital or church after your wedding
- Use bamboo, hemp, organic silk or cotton linens
Dinner
- Find a local organic restaurant that does off-site catering
- Consider vegetarian selections, such as healthy wedding catering from Mr. Natural
- Use organically grown flowers instead of a plastic topper on your cake
- Rent real glassware and china instead of using disposables
- If you are going to go disposable, use biodegradable materials
- Make arrangements to donate leftover food to a homeless shelter local food bank
- Drink organic wine
Photos
- Go digital
- Create an online viewing forum
- Avoid disposable cameras, ask your guests to use their digital cameras and share the pictures
Gifts
- Consider donating gifts to charity
- Register with sites that give a percentage of gift purchases to a cause of your choice
- Register for gifts that are eco-friendly
Transportation
- Arrive at the ceremony in a horse-drawn carriage
- Rent a hybrid car
Tags: Barr Mansion, Culinary Delights, Eco-friendly wedding, Go green, Go Green on your wedding, Going green weddings, green wedding, green wedding ideas, green weddings, Mr. Natural, Pink Tulip, Southern sisters sweets, wedding catering, wedding ideas, wedding venues
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Be prepared: Questions to ask your videographer
Thursday, April 14th, 2011Submitted by Janak Anarkat, Movieing Memories
Nothing quite captures the real essence of your wedding day – the sights, sounds and energy – better than a well-done, high quality video. You’ll be able to revisit this important day in your life long after it’s over and share it with children, grandchildren or other special people in the future.
Videography is an important investment and you’ll want to be prepared with a list of questions to ask before you hire a videographer:
- Can I see samples of your work?
- How long have you been doing videography? How many events or weddings productions have you filmed?
- What packages do you offer? What do they include? What is your price range?
- Are you able to accommodate any restrictions with lights and tripods at the ceremony location?
- How long will it take to receive our completed video after the wedding?
- Do you offer DVD and Blu-ray? What is the charge per extra copy made?
- Will you be able to film while a photographer is present?
- Do you attend the wedding rehearsal?
- What types of cameras and microphones will you use? How new is the equipment? Where will they be placed?
- Will you be the one filming my wedding? If not, can I speak with that person?
- Can I keep the raw, unedited footage as well as the finished product? Is there an added fee for this?
- Will a backup camera be on hand for the event?
- How far in advance must I book your services? What is your cancellation policy?
- Is a deposit required? If so, when and how much?
- Do you charge for traveling?
- What kind of camera do you use?
- What kind of lights do you use?
- How do you record the sound of people speaking?
- How do you record the sound of music playing and can I choose my own music?
- What is the length of the final video?
Visit austinweddings.com to find videographers in Austin or visit saweddings.com to find videographers in San Antonio.
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Bride of the Week: Kristina Mendoza
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011
“Love is that condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own.” – Robert A. Heinlein
The Wedding Guide would like to congratulate Wedding Guide bride Kristina Mendoza on her engagement.
Kristina Mendoza and Nathan Arriaga had an internet romance that blossomed before everyone’s eyes. With no luck in finding the man of her dreams in her own city, Kristina decided to venture out into the virtual world. She joined a dating website, in hopes of finding Mr. Right. Shortly after posting her profile Nathan responded. Nathan was in the Army K-9 unit and coincidently his unit was in San Antonio for training. Interested, Nathan asked Kristina out for coffee, she declined his invitation. He was trying to keep it simple and kept asking her out for coffee, Kristina says “I kept declining because I don’t even drink coffee.” Though she declined his invitations, Kristina decided to stay in contact with him.
They had friendly chats but never met up. After his training in San Antonio was over, Nathan returned to Virgina where he was stationed. Even after Nathan returned to Virgina, the two continued their online friendship. After talking to Nathan for a few months, Kristina told her mom, “If only I drank coffee.” She realized Nathan was perfect for her and was regretting declining his invitation. In August 2010, after talking on Skype and on the phone, Nathan decided to make a trip back to San Antonio to finally meet Kristina. On his seven day trip, Nathan knew that Kristina was the one; Kristina felt the same. The two decided to make it official and started dating.
In October 2010, Nathan invited Kristina to visit him in Virgina. Little did she know, he was planning to ask her to marry him. Being the gentleman that he is, Nathan called Kristina’s mother and asked her for her daughters hand in marriage. Kristina’s mother approved, and Nathan’s plan was in motion.
Upon arriving, Nathan took Kristina to his dog training facility. When she arrived at the facility, Nathan’s dog Zzarr was waiting there. Nathan used Zzarr to propose to Kristina. He trained Zzarr to sit infornt of her while he got down on one knee and asked for her hand in marriage. The whole proposal was caught on tape. Watch it below!
Nathan recently received orders to serve in Afghanistan. While he’s away Kristina and her mother Imelda are planning the wedding. The happy couple will get married on Cinco de Mayo of 2012. She is in the beginning stages of her wedding planning. She got her wedding dress at David’s Bridal in San Antonio. She is excited about her fiesta-themed wedding in 2012.
Tags: Bride of the Week, David's Bridal, San Antonio, san antonio wedding, wedding, weddings
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The St. Anthony Riverwalk: A century of luxurious romance
Wednesday, April 13th, 2011Since 1909, The St. Anthony Riverwalk Wyndham Hotel has dazzled couples with luxurious romance as one of San Antonio’s premier wedding venues. The hotel’s stunning décor serves as the perfect background for capturing unforgettable memories. The classical elegance and Victorian ambiance provides an exquisite setting for any wedding celebration.
The St. Anthony Hotel is celebrating a century of welcoming guests to the heart of San Antonio with timeless elegance. Brides at The St. Anthony Hotel take a step back in time to an era of elegant opulence and classic romance. This historic hotel has hosted three generations of weddings and social events in San Antonio and remains a sought after wedding destination and San Antonio tradition today.
Begin your wedding experience at The St. Anthony Hotel with a picturesque ceremony atop the hotel on the Starlight Terrace with majestic views of the San Antonio skyline. After you say “I Do,” your guests can enjoy the historic ambiance of Peacock Alley while exploring the hotel’s antique details and period artwork.
The St. Anthony Hotel has a variety of banquet rooms available to accommodate your wedding reception including the premier Anacacho Ballroom. The elegantly appointed Anacacho Ballroom personifies grand historical style with magnificent “tear-drop” chandeliers inspired by other wedding venues such as the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City along with a built-in stage and double swooping staircase surrounding the ballroom.
While you and your guests will enjoy the old world vintage charm of The St. Anthony Hotel, you will also experience the modern luxury of a top-rated, full-service hotel. The St. Anthony Hotel’s award-winning culinary team has developed an exquisite menu of palate-pleasing options or can also custom design a menu to reflect the personality of any bride.
In addition to hosting your wedding, The St. Anthony Hotel also offers the finest guest accommodations in town for your out-of-town guests or your honeymoon. Located across from Travis Park in the heart of downtown San Antonio, The St. Anthony Hotel is within walking distance of the Riverwalk, Rivercenter Mall, The Alamo, and La Villita. From as early as the 1940s, The St. Anthony Hotel has welcomed back couples married at the hotel by extending a special offer of providing the same room rate they paid on their honeymoon.
Tags: historic hotel, historic wedding venue, reception facility, San Antonio, san antonio wedding, wedding facility, wedding venues
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