Posts Tagged ‘venue’

Pretty Maids All in a Row

Model: Jacklyn Dang

Our latest fashion shoot happened last week and went spectacularly. It’s always exciting when we get a great group of professionals together that are so passionate about what they do and want to collaborate on projects together.  Such was the case with this group of wedding professionals.

The day’s backdrop was the beautiful venue Vineyards at Chappel Lodge.  Even though it is February, the 53-acre property provided a stunning background for a day of outside shooting.  The giant oak trees, babbling brooks, earthen gemstone rock formations and trickling fountains got us all in the right mood for a romantic shoot.

Our guest blogger for this installment is Linda Kelly.  Thank you

Model: Erin Boes

Linda, you’re always a professional and have a positive attitude that is always appreciated. You rock!

Pretty girls, transformed into brides for the day are absolutely glowing in airbrushed makeup by Linda Kelly and beautiful hairstyles by Shauna Cates for the Austin Wedding Guide Spring edition. The gowns are from Blue Bridal Boutique in Austin. The backdrop is the scenic Vineyards at Chapell Lodge. Three models, ten gowns, featuring a variety of hairstyles and makeup looks to offer creative wedding ideas just  for you.

At the photo shoot I was accompanied by hairstylist, Shauna

Cates of cHAIRish the Day who showed  some fabulous weaving and braiding, up dos and  sultry curls. To  inspire fresh wedding looks for spring and to accompany the theme, soft the gowns and hairstyles, I played with color on the lips and eyes, creating

demure and natural to sultry and sophisticated looks.

For one look I used hints of sheer pink on the eyes and cheeks with a bright pop of fuchsia on the lips while

Model: Holli Sisk

on other looks I used smokey plums or greys on the eyes and nude or soft peach lips. The natural skin tones and  most of the eyeshadow and cheek color is airbrushed makeup. To learn more about airbrushed makeup and my services for weddings see my website at http://www.lindakelly.com

For a truly different idea, the bridal bouquets were vintage brooch bouquets by Emily Clair.  Check out the bouquets and additional photos on my  LindaKellyProfessionalmakeupartist FB page. Thanks to the coordinating efforts of Veronica Lozano with the Wedding Guide, a fun day was had by all and now we wait for the priceless photos from the master photographer, Andy Sams, of Andy Sams Photography. I promise to share as soon as I get the top-secret clearance!

Side: Be on the lookout for the Spring issue of the Austin Wedding Guide in the first part of May.

Honoring Those Who Serve

We love a good wedding story around here, and when we heard of another group of individuals that love one as much as we do, we wanted to hear more.  It looks like two forces are heading up an endeavor to see one fantastic couple through all the stages of their dream wedding.

Kendall Plantation and Haute Weddings have been on the lookout for other wedding professionals to see if they would like to join in on their quest to make this good idea into reality.  An outpouring of businesses have answered the call and the excitement is building fast.  Almost 20 hosts and sponsors have already committed time and services to this worthwhile undertaking, and we’re so proud that a large majority involved are our dedicated Wedding Guide clients.  To see a list of all these very generous vendors involved, take a look at this link: http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.303483553005324.71237.303365833017096&type=1 or type in MISSION Wedding to locate their dedicated Facebook page on the event.

Here are the current details we have on this amazing opportunity.

To honor and thank our military service men and woman, Kendall Plantation and Haute Weddings have joined forces to host a wedding for a military service man or woman. Valued at $40,000 MISSION Wedding will include all the wedding details for 150 guests donated by some of the most respected wedding vendors in San Antonio. Our goal is to reach active duty military and honor him or her with the wedding of their dreams. We are looking for military candidates who can submit their love story in 500 words or less and information as to why they should be chosen for a hosted dream wedding! One or both of the candidates must be in the military. Stories must be submitted no later than February 20, 2012. The chosen couple will be determined and announced by March 1, 2012. Entry submissions will be available on our MISSION Wedding website. Website link coming soon!

So submit your or some deserving persons entry to Kendall Plantation or Haute Weddings’ website.  We know with such a large military community that San Antonio and Austin has, we can flood submissions and find the most deserving couple to win this contest.  Use this as your chance to share someone’s amazing story with us and have everyone else know how this couple’s love story is a story for the ages.

Christmas Time Events

While sitting at lunch today, a group of us starting discussing possible weekend plans.  And since it is December 1st, the conversation brought about all the various options related to seeing Christmas decor and lights.  Most of the smaller neighboring communities came up with their holiday festivals starting and some of us discussed the local schools having their caroling shows.  But if you don’t have a child in school or you simply cannot make it out for the drive out of town to see the festivities, what can you do?

Well, some of the best things to do around the city during the holidays has to be going around to see all the beautiful homes and their Christmas decorations, sometimes quite literally, in your own backyard.  Pick any well-known neighborhood in your city and you are bound to think of Christmas’ past sitting in your car “oooo-ing” and “awe-ing” at the magical displays that takes us back to our childhood.

With that in mind, it just might be the perfect time of year to see some of the most amazing venues in the city with all their finery in place.  Venues can tend to look somewhat generic during an initial tour, however, during the holidays everything is decorated to the “T” and provides a better visual as to how a space can be transformed with beautiful items.

A local venue participating in a holiday event this year is our very own Lambermont.  They will be a part of the 15th annual Christmas on the Hill Tour of Homes on December 11 from 1-5pm.  Sponsored by Government Hill Alliance, it promises to provide an afternoon filled with fun and gorgeous Christmas inspiration.  There will also be free carriage rides, food and arts and craft booths presented by Government Hill Partnership.  For more information on the event or how to purchase tickets, contact Donna Liston at 210-271-9145 or visit their website at www.lambermontevents.com.

So whether you venture out here or any other number of beautiful spots around your city, let us know where you are going or if you see some venues that are absolutely transformed beyond your expectations.  We would love to have tons of holiday photos of your favorite spots along with the memories they evoke.

Venue Selection 101

On the flip side of that extreme, are these random temperature drops like the one we will be experiencing tonight.  39 degrees when you wake up in the morning?! Yikes.  If you are a bride this weekend and these temperatures took you by surprise, I hope you have a Plan B.

All kidding aside however, there are plenty of things to consider when choosing your venue. Indoor or outdoors, budget big or small, make sure you jot down these crucial questions we found in an online article entitled  Chosing Your Wedding Venue by Nina Callaway.

1. What’s the decor like? Does it fit your style and wedding colors? Will you have to spend a lot of money on flowers and decorations to make it beautiful?
2. Do they have an in-house caterer, and do you like that food? (While an in-house caterer can be easier and cheaper, sometimes the food is not as beautiful as the room. So make sure you taste it!) Do they have a limitation on which outside caterers you can use?
3. Do they have adequate coat check and bathroom facilities?
4. Is the wedding venue wheelchair accessible? If not, are there many stairs to climb? How close is the parking to the ceremony and reception rooms?What’s the cancellation policy?
5. Is there a payment schedule? What kind of deposits are required?
6. Are there any hidden costs? (Before you sign the contract, read it carefully.)
7. What are the overtime charges?
8. Do they have a liquor license?
9. Will they allow you to bring your own liquor? (This is usually cheaper, even with the customary corkage fee.)
10. Is there room in the wedding venue for a band and/or dancing?
11. Does the wedding venue already own a sound system with adequate speakers or will that need to be rented?
12. Is there a space for the bride and groom to change and/or relax?
13. Where will you take photographs? Is there a park nearby, or do the coordinators have recommended spots on the grounds?
14. Who will be supervising and troubleshooting before the day of your wedding? Who will be supervising and troubleshooting on the day of your wedding? Can you meet them now?
15. Where can your guests park? Are there extra fees for parking? Do they have valet parking?
16. Is the wedding venue convenient to public transportation, especially in big cities? How long will it take your guests to get there?Especially in museums or private clubs, are there limitations on decorations? Do they limit food and drinks to only certain areas of the wedding venue?
17. Are candles or other open flames allowed?
18. If its an outdoor location, do they have any backup plans for rain or other inclement weather? If not, is there a place that you can put up a tent?

So after you have done you due diligence, you can feel confident that there will be one less thing to worry about on your special day.  Don’t forget to visit our venues section in our San Antonio and Austin websites to start your venue hunting with some truly exceptional locations.

Kendall Plantation Offers Some Southern Hospitality

It’s always difficult to make wedding decisions based on just pictures or a recommendation from someone else who has used them in the past.  For this reason, various venues have open house events to bring in large groups of couples to not only see their venue, but also to sample first hand various foods, trends, music, etc. as possible options for their big day.

Kendall Plantation is hosting just such an event tomorrow, November 2, from 5:30 – 8:30pm.  Some of the vendors that will show off their skills and wares will be: Capture the Fun Photo Booths, Bartenders 4 You, Stephanie’s Colorful Creations, and many others.

In addition to all of these wonderful vendors, Kendall Plantation will be giving tours of their newly completed venue.  Completed with floor to ceiling windows with monumental French doors on all sides of the building, the open feeling through the ballroom creates an elegant and romantic backdrop for your wedding. Wood floors compliment the beautiful cascading chandeliers, with wall sconces carefully chosen to warm the room providing elegance and charm. The 13-foot wrap-around porches allow for a lovely cocktail hour and some Hill Country R&R. Black shutters, wrap-around porches, a lighted cupola on top, and giant white columns are surrounded by century-old oak trees, a natural pond, rolling hilltops and magnificent sunsets.

So if you’re looking for something to cross off your wedding planning list, head on over to the new Kendall Plantation and get some great ideas and sample everything firsthand so you can make a thoughtful decision.

Please RSVP to Lisa Morales of Haute Weddings
Haute Weddings Events
(210) 215-5820
lisa@myhautewedding.com

Spooky New View

This week inevitably brings back memories of childhood Halloween’s and all the fun stuff we did throughout the years.  I know that for me, several memories come to mind.  Some of my earliest trick or treating memories are of my mom conspiring with the other neighborhood moms to carpool a group of kids to the “rich” neighborhoods for the “good” candy, then later on when I became a teenager, the cool thing to do was to go to the Nightmare on Grayson haunted house and go get scared with your friends.

And what made that experience so memorable was not only the people walking around outside portraying all your favorite scary villains, but also the atmosphere that surrounded the venue.  The long line for the the entrance snaked around the couple of blocks encompassing the location, so you couldn’t help but look over your shoulder to see what was around you.  What instinctively was a defense mechanism to make sure nothing crept up behind you, allowed you to get glimpses of the shadowy outlines of all the old buildings.  And the main one, the Pearl Brewery, which had long since been closed, provided such an austere look of the historic building that it immensely added to the ominous feel of the night’s activity.

So a few years ago, when I heard that a major project was under way to restore the historic brewery for commercial use, I was intrigued as to how they were going to be able to accomplish turning what I always thought of a creepy place into a viable, inviting, commercial development.

Last week I made a trip down there to refresh myself with the area, and I was very surprised to find such a lovely area.  Yes, the Grayson haunted house is still there, but as with most things, looked completely different in the light of day.  The complex is now a series of fully restored buildings used for everything from a culinary school to restaurants and specialty shops.  But by far, the gem that stands out has to be the Pearl Brewhouse facilities.  While maintaining its original historic architecture and character, it has had a remarkable facelift.  Everything looks so fresh and welcoming.  It’s unique layout makes you want to park your vehicle and lazily walk through the compound to see what else lies around the corner.

The Pearl is a community gathering place where you can plan any event in an elegant historic Stable, a modern industrial warehouse, along the banks of the San Antonio River, or on the Pearl Grounds complete with the iconic Brewhouse and Pearl Smokestack in the background.  Events at Pearl include music concerts, barbeque cook-offs and Saturday morning shopping buying fresh produce from the Pearl Farmers Market.  You can also plan an awards banquet for a convention group, a corporate holiday event, a symposium held by a non-profit organization, or the picture perfect wedding and/or reception at Pearl.

If you have not had the opportunity to see what this venue looks like, this one is a must see.  If you’re a bride who teeters on the side of nostalgia and is looking for something with a sense of character, make an afternoon of your visit, then head over to Timbo’s in their complex for a wicked burger with deep San Antonio history.

A Tower of Memories

How many of you that grew up in San Antonio have a fond childhood memory associated with the Tower of the Americas?  Was it a 5th grade trip that was the culmination of your elementary experience?  Did you end up at the Tower after a day long field trip at the Institute of Texan Culture?  Did you roll up your jeans and play in the fountains that surround the base of the Tower?  I know I did.

If you had a childhood sweetheart and the Tower of the Americas spurred some sort of loving memory, or…maybe that’s where you had you first date or where he proposed, you could incorporate this venue with your wedding day.  Did you know that you could have your wedding at the Tower?  You might want to make a trip downtown to check this unique venue out.  Let’s face it,  many people choose their wedding venue based on some sort of connection to that specific place.

You can treat your guests to the spectacular 360 degree view of the San Antonio skyline that only Tower of the Americas can offer.  Two private dining rooms are located on the 4th Level Observation Deck and can accommodate any special dining experience; the Bowie Room seats up to 60 guests and the Crockett Room seats up to 40 guests. Tower of the Americas offers tailored menus with only the finest food prepared by the Chart House Restaurant.

Hidden Gems

Sometimes my work is too difficult.  I am forced to visit beautiful locations to scout for upcoming photo shoots, all the while wishing I had a special event coming up to book these places myself.  In our last two shoots, I discovered a hidden gem in One World Theatre and a hip restaurant, Sazo’s Latin Grill.  Both of these might not be the first locations to pop into a bride’s mind…so let me paint you a picture.

Austin – Want to have an Italian destination wedding, but right here at home?  You might want to consider One World Theatre as the canvas on which to paint your romantic Italian dream.

I can almost hear the single guitar playing O Sole Mio in the background as the beautiful property sits atop a hillside reminiscent of a Tuscan Villa.  As you wander the venue, your can just see yourself dining al fresca under a gauzy tent with twinkle lights, sipping on carafes of vino and nibbling on Italian fare.  And can you believe you can have all of this happen without flying all your guests roundtrip to Italy?  Us either.

Ah…that’s amore.

San Antonio – When you think of Latin food in San Antonio, what comes to mind?  Casa Rio? La Fogata? Blanco Café?  Have you ever thought of Sazo’s Latin Grill?  It might be time to try something different.  True, not the traditional Tex-Mex fare that us locals are probably used to, but undoubtedly a menu worth trying.  When you think of Sazo’s, think Latin infusion that veers towards the fine dining end of the spectrum.

Located in the Marriott Rivercenter, Sazo’s is a well-kept secret.  We dare to say that it’s worth the drive downtown to taste some of their dishes.  And Sazo’s is famous for handling all your rehearsal dinner needs or small wedding reception in an elegant, top-notch way.  So if you’re bringing family and friends in from out of town, and want to treat them to some “Latin Cool,” head on over to Sazo’s.

A Barr Mansion wedding

After a fire destroyed Barr Mansion’s Artisan Ballroom just a few weeks ago, the popular wedding venue hasn’t missed a beat in ensuring that brides and grooms still have the wedding of their dreams. With a lot of hard work and creativity, the owners created a beautiful new space with an air conditioned tent and laminate flooring to accommodate weddings until the ballroom is rebuilt.

Visit the Barr Mansion blog for updates on the rebuilding of the Artisan Ballroom, which is scheduled to be completed in time for Fall weddings.

Thank you to The Mill Photography Studio for sharing these awesome photos of a recent wedding at Barr Mansion on The Mill Photography Studio blog. The beauty and ambiance of the historic venue is still alive and well!

Construction Progresses at Lost Mission

Construction continues on the gorgeous new venue Lost Mission, scheduled for completion in July 2010.

Nestled deep in the majestic Texas Hill Country is a place created for romance…where the setting evokes the richness of history while offering an exotic backdrop for the creation of special memories to last a lifetime. It truly will be “love at first sight” when you travel the oak-shaded lane to discover the elegant Spanish ambiance of Lost Mission, the Hill Country’s newest and most intriguing special events venue…the perfect setting for life’s most memorable occasions.

Located on 26 acres off Highway 46 between Boerne and Highway 281, Lost Mission features the perfect venue for the perfect wedding – a replica of an authentic mission chapel with antique pews, Spanish-corbels, rustic chandeliers…and a state-of-the-art sound system. Adjacent to the chapel is a beautiful and modern reception facility that can accommodate 400 guests indoors for a sit down or buffet dinner. For cocktail receptions, we can accommodate 10 to 600 guests indoors, on the quaint patio, and in our other outdoor area options. With each event we provide you with a secluded, exquisite environment for engagement dinners, wedding receptions and a myriad of other special moments. The facility is equipped with a stage and the latest in projection and sound systems and features bar services and a commercial kitchen.

Lost Mission is a cutting edge facility featuring Mother Nature-friendly aspects such as a green roof over the restrooms and a rainwater collection system. Another unique feature is the recycled wood used for the hand made Spanish-style exterior doors. We have researched each aspect of what our guests expect from an event facility, and we have created a special place where lasting memories can be made.

Known for the distinctive Old World Spanish architecture, Lost Mission is a place where you can feel comfortable having an elegant or casual event.