Archive for the ‘Event Ideas’ Category

Catering: New Wedding Trends Make for an Interactive Experience

Tuesday, May 21st, 2013

 

At a recent wedding professional’s meeting with NACE, we were introduced to a new trend in wedding catering. The new trend had less to do with a new type of food than about how the food was presented.

 

What struck us as cool and innovative was the way all the food engaged the guests. The food stations were set up to illicit guest interaction. A step beyond a buffet station, all the of various elements were placed out and the guests were allowed to create their own versions of salads, chilis, gyros and desserts.

 

We really like the idea that everyone can personalize their own meal and add or subtract ingredients that makes their meal unique. By doing this, we can see that each guest would have a better food experience at a catered event. I mean, who doesn’t like the Burger King option of “having it your way?” There is a reason why Whataburger boasts that there are 36,864 ways to customize your order. The goal, is to make the diner have input in their perfect meal. We definitely approve of this and can see why this will be a popular trend in wedding catering over the next year.

 

With the help of Bokeh Photography, we were able to get you some fantatic photos to illustrate this new food/catering trend.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: catering, food trends, NACE, wedding catering
Posted in Catering, Event Ideas, food | No Comments »

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Vogue Styled Shoot from Premiere Party Central

Monday, May 13th, 2013

Today’s blog comes from our friends at Premiere Party Central.

 

Looking for some wedding glamour inspiration? Premiere Party Central teamed up with STEMS Floral Design and Brass Tacks Events to shoot a VOGUE inspired styled shoot. With the help of Jen Bertrand with Studio 563, we were able to capture the perfect blend between great style, glamour, sophistication, and fun! The Renaissance Hotel in Austin, Texas was featured as our backdrop for the whole shoot. We hope you enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: glamour, Premiere Party Central, Studio 563, wedding glamour, wedding inspiration
Posted in Decor, Fashion, Inspiration, Photography | No Comments »

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Fiesta Wedding Style

Monday, April 22nd, 2013

 

Let’s face it ladies…some themes should not even be attempted. This was the first thought we had when someone we know was contemplating the idea of having a “fiesta” wedding.  And no, we are not talking about having a wedding during the two weeks in April where “everything-on-a-stick” is considered gourmet food. However, in light of the fact that we have just kicked off 11 days of craziness in South Texas, we were wondering how one would attempt this very type of themed wedding and it still be tasteful?

 

Enter Pinterest. We found some gorgeous ideas to create the feeling or vibe of that type of wedding without being too literal. This should also be remembered when trying to integrate ANY type of theme…remember…moderation. Don’t take every idea as literal, think outside the box on how you can add your own unique spin on something that probably has been done hundreds of times before.

 

We love the way pinatas have been re-thought of in a fun cookie. Color can also be integrated in your menu with a seven layer dip carefully redesigned for individual portions. Because of its clear container, all the colors look amazing. Not to be overlooked are these cute margarita pops…of course, on a stick. Just sit down with your caterer, let them know your ideas, and they will help you come up with a menu that is perfect for you.

 

Take your cue from this board and how they still had a very definite color palette. By sticking with a smaller palette, it forces you to remember that everything should look like it’s a part of the same wedding and the same couple. How striking this bride looks in her white dress with this dramatic pop of colored flowers in her hair in lieu of a traditional veil. The styling and jewelry also keep a consistent tone. Also, this board does a great job of reminding us that you don’t always have to use real flowers. Because of traditional paper flower options in this culture, you can replace or incorporate these simple but colorful flowers into centerpieces and even bouquets.

 

 

On our final board, we love the idea of using non-traditional invitations for your wedding. These particular type of invitations undoubtedly will cost less than the traditional ones, and can immediatley set a festive tone for your guests. A colorful cocktail bar can also add to your color scheme by just incorporating specific types of drinks. Any hired bartender will be happy to integrate these colors into your day. And finally, we like how you can pretty much take any solid color bridesmaid dress, tie a coordinating colored sash around the waste and it immediately takes on a new feel. Who says sashes have to be neutral or matching? Definitely not us.

 

Tags: fiesta weddings, theme weddings, wedding decor, wedding ideas, wedding inspiration
Posted in Details, Event Ideas, Inspiration | No Comments »

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Succulents as Wedding Decor

Wednesday, March 27th, 2013

 

We’ve been seeing wedding professionals use interesting materials in weddings lately.  And with us living in one of the warmest, driest areas in Texas, brides are starting to look at products and resources that are in abundance in their local area.

 

This is the case with succulents. This plant comes in many forms and cool shades of greens and purples, that if you are gravitating towards a more natural feel and love those shade, then succulents might be the way to go. Take a look at some awesome wedding decor we found that integrated this hearty plant in a bunch of creative ways.

 

The great thing about using this local plant is that is can take a beating and still look absolutely beautiful. The various plants unique shapes and edges almost add an architectural element all that it touches.  So if you are interested in possibly incorporating these cool looking plants into your wedding, make sure you talk to your wedding florists or wedding consultants so they can help you achieve the look you want.

 

We love how succulents were made into boutonnieres, and how they are all slightly different. The unique shape makes it a perfect card holder.

 

Need a wedding pillow? Here’s definitely a new take on a tiny satin pillow. They also make for great and simple favors for guests to take home.

 

We love all the tiny hanging vases that hold a single plant. Dripping from trees, we bet this looks amazing at a ceremony site.

 
 

Tags: creative wedding decor, succulents, Texas-friendly flowers, wedding decor
Posted in Decor, Details, Favors, Inspiration | No Comments »

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Wedding Food Truck Expo at Antebellum Oaks Brings the Flavor

Monday, March 25th, 2013

By Nadia Husayni

 

“Beautiful” is only a word to say the least about the Antebellum Oaks. With its angelic landscape, it is located in a quiet area away from the hustle and bustle of the city of  Austin. Although outside the city limits, it is easily accessible for brides, grooms, and their family and friends. Antebellum Oaks is filled with organic features such as a large oak tree, small waterfalls, ponds, and various types of trees. It is an ideal place to have your dream wedding if you love nature and the true beauty of Austin.

 

Antebellum Oaks recently built an event pavilion, where guests can enjoy an exquisite reception. With its huge windows, guests can enjoy the true meaning of nature in the comfort of their chairs. Not only will they provide you with a lovely reception hall, but they also offer and provide certain amount of chairs, tables, linens, and a set up/take down crew to help you with your big day. They also offer a bridal suite and a separate groom suite.

 

And this was the backdrop for an exciting event that recently took place for brides to enjoy. The Wedding Food Truck Expo brought out an eclectic assortment of gourmet foods and dishes to sample in a very trendy, hip type of way.  Guests dined on everything from Asian Southern fusion cuisine to atypical Tex-Mex favorites. The evening showed guests how Antebellum Oaks can cover whatever type of event you are having, from the completely casual to the most formal of events.

 

A special thanks to food blogger Katie with Slow Down & Savor for her great photographs.

 

 

 

Premiere Party Central is a local rental partner that provided rentals for the event. Their goal is to bring a positive and complete event rental experience no matter how small or big the event may be. They provide a full range of services, rentals, and a collection of wedding retail products in order to help make your dream wedding become a reality. They provide products anywhere from bars and furniture, event décor, lighting, and glassware.

 

 

DNA Events caters events with any type of food, including food trailers and restaurants. There are even some caterers that have signed exclusively with DNA Events to provide an excellent array of appetizers, entrees, and desserts. They were able to bring out some of their clients to the events, all being able showcasing their services for your wedding, bachelor/bachelorette parties, or family gatherings.

 

These trailers included:

• Cool Haus, a homemade cookies and ice cream company
• The Peached Tortilla, an Asian Southern fusion
• Chi’Lantro, a Korean and Mexican fusion
• Little Fatty’s, a Gordita Cocina

 

 

 

 

 

Tags: Antebellum Oaks wedding venue, reception ideas, wedding food trucks
Posted in Bridal Events, Catering, Event Ideas, food | No Comments »

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Trade the Dollar Bills for a Shotgun: Bachelor Party Alternatives

Friday, March 22nd, 2013

 

All the wedding planning isn’t always a “bride only thing.” The guys are putting in their two cents when it comes to stuff they would like to see happen regarding their specific guy activities in all the preparations.

 

Tags: bachelor parties, bachelor party alternatives, groom's activities
Posted in Event Ideas, Groom | No Comments »

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Doves of a Feather…Flock at Weddings

Tuesday, March 19th, 2013

Today’s blog comes from Janet Killion, owner of Earth’s Angels White Dove Release.

 

In planning the final details of your wedding, you might want to consider a detail that has special meaning behind it. Especially if you plan on having an outdoor wedding ceremony, a dove release might be the beautiful touch you and your groom are looking for as an expression of your newly unified love.

 

A white dove release is a symbolic and breathtaking touch for any event, but especially a wedding. From the grandest affair to the most intimate ceremony, the doves will lift your hearts with grace and beauty on wings of snow white.

 

In ancient times the bride would give her groom a white dove as a gift. The dove was a symbol of her love, purity, and commitment to their marriage. In many cultures if a bride saw a white dove on her wedding day it meant she would have a long and blissful marriage.

 

Additionally, another reason couples find special meaning in doves is because doves mate for life. Together, they share the responsibility of building a home, raising their young, and facing the challenges of life together. For this reason, the metaphor is beautifully exemplified in the couples new life together. They are a beautiful symbol of the love, devotion, and commitment shared by the bride and groom.

 

We acquired 40 doves about 10 years ago from a friend who could no longer care for them. While watching my new pets fly through the blue skies, I thought how much they looked angels. They quickly became my earth angels…reminding me with each flight of God’s presence in my life.  After learning the meaning of the symbolism of the dove I wanted to share my beautiful doves with the world.

 

If you are considering this symbolic gesture at your ceremony, make sure you visit our website and find out more about our birds, their training, and our commitment to the experience a dove release adds to your wedding.

 

Tags: ceremony details, Dove Release, Wedding dove release
Posted in Event Ideas | No Comments »

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Something Borrowed, Something Green

Friday, March 1st, 2013

By Jennifer Rich-Day
Event Manager, Heirloom Blooms at Acres Wild Ranch

 

You bring your own bags to the grocery store. You recycle. You use compact fluorescent light bulbs. You take simple steps every day to be environmentally conscious and now you’re planning your wedding. If you’re like the growing number of brides today, you want your wedding day to reflect your environmental ideals or maybe you just want to save money by not being wasteful. Either way, as Event Manager for Heirloom Blooms at Acres Wild Ranch, and as a recent bride myself, I’ve learned there are some simple steps that you can take to make your wedding green.

 

 

Flowers. Traditional floral arrangements are beautiful, but have a high environmental cost. Most cut flowers are grown in South America and Africa with harmful chemicals and then they are shipped long distances to the consumer. You could buy organic flowers or use live plants— succulents and cactuses are popular. There are creative ways to eliminate or limit the use of cut flowers in weddings, too. A bride at Acres Wild Ranch used bouquets made of recycled stainless steel roses made by local Austin artist John Weber (dubsteel.com). Another bride selected Sola flowers made from balsa wood in order to avoid pesticide-laden cut flowers.

 

Save-the-Dates, Invitations, and Thank You Notes. Rather than printing and mailing them, send your save-the-dates, invitations, and thank you notes by email—you will save money and reduce your environmental impact. If your great aunt in Lubbock is happily living without an email address, or if she will fall off her rocker without a hand written thank you note, select paper made with a high percentage of post-consumer recycled content.

 

Catering. If you choose a menu based on what is available seasonally from local farmers, the fresh ingredients will make each dish sing. Be ready to go to your caterer with an open mind—if you must have a watermelon salad for your November wedding, you may not be able to have a seasonal menu.

 

Favors. Give your wedding guests seeds of love instead of plastic disposable gifts. Heirloom Blooms’ customized wildflower seed packets are memorable tokens that your guests will appreciate. Or, you could use the small potted plants in your table decorations as wedding favors.

 

 

Here at Heirloom Blooms, we’re proud to offer our brides a green wedding venue at an affordable cost. We have taken many steps to minimize our environmental impact on Acres Wild Ranch. By offering linens, glassware, and place settings at no additional charge, our guests do not generate unnecessary waste. We harvest rainwater and have greywater gardens to minimize the precious water resources in the Texas Hill Country. And, the income from our event hall rental and guest cottages helps support our environmental education programs and efforts to restore the wildlife habitats. To find out more about our indoor/outdoor venue and guest cottages near Wimberley, go to our website heirloomblooms.org or call (512) 847-5225.

 

 

Tags: Eco-friendly wedding, Going green weddings
Posted in Advice, Event Ideas, Inspiration | No Comments »

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Wedding Trend Alert: Gold as the Focus, Not the Accent

Monday, February 18th, 2013

 

Trends for this year have already been set for the most part, but sometimes we get a late arrival to the party. Such is the case with our latest wedding trend…gold.  And what is too often thought of as a mere accent color, gold is coming out very strong and in a dominant color position this year.  This metallic has played second string to its more popular silver colored cousin, but gold is coming back in a big way.

 

Take a look at these inspiration boards we found and see what we like best about them.

 

 We love the delicate gold dance slippers for that little glimmers of something from beneath your dress and the gold tinged framed photos displaying the couples’ story. Against the black and white photos, the gold really makes the images pop and looks very classic.

 

 Sometimes brides find inspiration in the every day items of their lives. Such is the case when we saw this Chanel perfume bottle and the beautiful gold sunlight in this photo. We imagine the bride wanting to focus on the her crystal stemware with accents of gold, as well as the overall feel of the room flooded it in gold hues. It definitely makes this room look warm and inviting, and who doesn’t look good in this type of lighting?

 

 Besides the gorgeous gold heels on this board, our favorite items are the square-ish textured gold chargers and macaroon with stripes of edible gold glitter.

 

In addition to the color, there is a definite texture connecting theses images. Whether you call is burnished, patina, distressed or crackle, the added layer of texture in this board adds depth and dimension to items that can appear flat and unremarkable. Also worth noting are the gold gauzy chair covers with delicate appliques.

 

And finally, favors are the easiest way to incorporate your chosen color.  Gold lettering, ribbons, a frosting with haphazard application and even a carefully chosen champagne can all add to the night’s atmosphere.  Yes, as the bride, you can even opt for a little gold number to finish dancing the night away in and still be the focus of the party.

 

 

Tags: gold, inspiration, trends, trends 2013, wedding inspiration
Posted in Inspiration | No Comments »

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Color Forecast for 2013 Weddings: Emerald Green

Tuesday, January 8th, 2013

 

According to the epic forecast color skills of Pantone, the color on everyone’s lips for 2013 will be the color Emerald. Pantone, those colorful people who are experts at letting the masses know what color will infiltrate their lives for the next year brings another winner, in our books, to the palette for this year’s wedding inspirations. From beauty to fashion to decor, tons of weddings will be accenting and embellishing their big day of celebration with this vibrant color.

 

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.”

 

Emerald for Beauty

Equally harmonious on the cosmetic color wheel, Emerald dramatizes all eye colors as it beautifully enhances green eyes, is compatible to blue eyes, emphasizes the green undertone in hazel eyes and intensifies brown eyes to make them appear deeper. Emerald is also a perfect complement to peaches, pinks, roses, ruby reds and aubergines – offering a variety of lipstick and blush options. For those who want to sparkle and stand out, Emerald is the perfect punctuation point in nail color because of its complementary nature.

 

Emerald for Fashion

The prevalence of green has been steadily rising for several seasons, especially in the fashion and couture markets, and even on the red carpet. Appropriate for every occasion, Emerald’s classic elegance makes for striking and irresistible women’s formal and everyday wear as well as accessories.  Balanced yet sophisticated, Emerald enlivens all colors in the spectrum and will continue to make a statement beyond spring and summer into fall and winter.

 

 

We love the alternative ring pillow option in this picture collage.  The rings are nested in a bed of fresh spring greens tied with a delicate bow.

 
 

It can be as simple as integrating this Emerald shade in a velvety sash tied around your bridal gown. It adds that pop of color that binds the look of the day.

 
 

And what bride or bridesmaid doesn’t love some great statement jewelry?  We love both of the shown options of the tear drop Emerald earrings and the multi-strand stone necklace that would look great on the neckline of your bridesmaid to accentuate a more modest, subtle colored dress.

 
 

Tags: color trends, emerald green, Pantone 2013 color selection, wedding inspiration
Posted in Celebration, Inspiration | 1 Comment »

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