Texas Old Town: A Unique Texas Hill Country Special Event Center

Come take Engagement Pics at NO CHARGE!

2012-01-06T12:49:00.001-06:00

Texas Old Town really enjoys offering its facilities to couples who would love to take their unique engagement pictures or to that Texas bride who relishes that moment of just being herself in an open, country, bridal atomosphere. There are so many different locations that offer anything from a beautiful waterfall, to your old western style hitching posts, not to mention a beautiful backdrop in every direction that boasts the beauty of the hill country and the uniqueness of rustic elegance. Come use one of our 4 beautiful halls and their multi-faceted surroundings to take your engagement or bridal pics...at NO CHARGE!photographyshoppereviews.com

TIffany and Kyle married at Texas Old Town

2011-09-29T11:35:00.002-05:00

" Tiffany is a nurse and Kyle is a police officer, so they deserved a fun wedding and a very relaxing honeymoon. That’s exactly what they got at Texas Old Town in Kyle. Tiffany’s hair and makeup were expertly done by the gals at Joie de Vie Salon who came all the way out to Texas Old Town. They had the cutest cakes from the Sweet Stuff. There was a beautiful outdoor ceremony and a rockin’ reception. The guests got quite carried away and a couple guys even got up on stage and lip synched to AC/DC and Sir Mix-A-Lot. What a party!"
- Rebel With a Camera (Tiffany & Kyle's photographers)

Texas Old Town Open House Success!

2011-09-19T12:24:00.000-05:00

Our Open House was a success!! We had so many amazing vendors and tons of people come out. If you weren't able to make it check out these photos and video below by Rebel with a Camera.

Melissa and Robbie's Wedding at Texas Old Town by Rebel with a Camera!

2011-09-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

Check out these photos of Melissa and Robbie's wedding in Redbud Hall by Rebel with a Camera!

Texas Old Town's Open House is Today! + 10 Of The Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes!

2011-09-15T13:04:00.000-05:00

Our Open House prep is underway for tonight. We have a large group of vendors coming out so this time we are spreading out over two halls, Redbud and Tejas, instead of just Sage Hall. We will have tours of all four halls, a brisket cook-off, cake and dessert samples, appetizers, non-alcoholic drinks by Texas Ritas, tons of discounts from the vendors, a DJ in both Redbud Hall and Tejas Hall, linens for sale, and more!

So, in the spirit of helping brides plan their wedding day here are 10 of the most common wedding planning mistakes (via The Knot)

#1: Doing Anything...Before the Guest List

The Problem: You're engaged! You're excited! You're ready to send out save-the-dates, book the reception hall, choose the flowers - now! Well hang on a second, because we're afraid you're forgetting something. Who's coming to this affair, exactly?

The Solution: It's not the most fun part of planning, but you shouldn't make any wed-day decisions before you have your wedding guest list somewhat firmly in place. Why, you ask? Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

#2: Reading Aloud to Your Fiance ... From Bridal Magazines

The problem: Look, we know it's not the Stone Age, and there are plenty of guys out there who want to see their wedding as an event that reflects their style too (or at least one that isn't dripping with pink froufrou). But there's likely to be a limit to your fiance's ability to cope with an infinite array of invitation choices.

The solution: Here's how to defuse a potentially sticky situation (and a minefield of fights you don't want to have). Take a night off to go out to dinner and talk with him about all the different parts of the wedding, and try to get a concrete idea of his interest in the various details. Does it sound like flowers are flowers in his book? Okay, then you can more or less leave him out of that decision. And if he's cramming lettuce leaves in his ears to block sound, you definitely don't want to drag him into it. Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

#3: Freaking Out Because Someone Else Has Your Gown

The problem: These days, to-be-weds spend so much time personalizing their weddings and trying to find really unique big-day details that it does seem reasonable to freak if another couple chooses the same favors or flowers or food. Before you decide to arm-wrestle for it, let us suggest a different way of dealing.

The solution: If someone else steals one of your ideas, you'll probably hear a lot of imitation is the sincerest form of flattery and It will be at your wedding, not theirs, so it'll be totally different. Whether these statements are true or not (they are), they're probably not going to make you feel better -- but neither will stewing over it. Instead of worrying about someone else's wedding looking the same as yours, think about how you can make the copied detail different. Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

#4: Realizing That Grape isn't Your Color ... With Two Months to Go

The problem: When you started planning your wedding, you knew just what you wanted: pink bridesmaid dresses, peonies, and classic, engraved invites. Now that you've been hard at work for a few months, you know just what wedding colors you want: jewel tones, orchids, and funky, bold invites. Too bad -- you're stuck with the wedding style you first chose ... or are you?

The solution: You should feel free to rethink, redo, and revamp any element of your wedding that you want -- unless you've accepted a ring from it (just kidding). This doesn't have to mean yet another huge investment or reneging on a bunch of contracts -- you'll be surprised how easy it is to make simple additions or subtractions and change your whole style. Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

#5: Trying to Drop Two Sizes Before Your Final Fitting

The problem: You've found the wedding dress of your dreams -- though it's not exactly a perfect fit on the real-life you. Your plan: Order the dress two sizes too small, and then do whatever it takes to make it fit. Or so you think.

The solution: Making a commitment to eat right and exercise is great whether you're planning your wedding or trying to stave off the newlywed nine. On the other hand, crash-dieting and chaining yourself to the StairMaster is a course likely to end in disaster -- and a gown that doesn't fit. Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

#6: Doing it All Yourself

The problem: We love nothing better than seeing the clever projects that couples come up with to make their weddings unique. But even we have to draw the line somewhere. There's doing it yourself, and then there's overdoing it yourself. After all, there are plenty of benefits to DIY. You can be sure no one else has the exact same thing, you might keep your budget in check, and (before you actually sit down to hand-tie 200 tiny ribbons) you probably think that it will make a fun story.

The solution: Rather than taking on too many projects, pick the one (or two) that you're really in love with and put your resources (both mental and monetary) into working on those. For the others, do a little research and try to find a ready-made version that makes you happy. With so many great prefab goodies out there, chances are you'll find one that fits your style -- and saves you a whole lot of time! Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

#7: Overloading Your Mom's Big Day To-do List

The problem: So you can't do it all yourself -- fine -- but you've got to have someone you trust double-checking with the caterer and the florist, steaming your veil, or making sure the limo company's got directions. Most brides turn to good ol' Mom (or their sister or their maid of honor) to make sure things go as planned on the big day. These folks are usually happy to help in any way they can -- but hey, didn't they come here to party too?

The solution: No matter how worried you are, most wedding-day (and day-before) chores can be trusted to any competent adult, and aren't there a slew of them coming into town just for your wedding? Before you hand your mom or MOH a mega-task list, consider splitting jobs among a larger group of people -- friends, cousins, aunts. They'll be glad to lend a hand (and likely flattered that you asked), and it's a great way to include more people in your celebration. If you're worried about losing track, simply take the to-do list you already have and note who's who next to each task. Check in with each person at some point, then check off the chore from the list. Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

#8: Crying Over Mismatched Linens

The problem: The place cards just came back from the printer, and the color of the ink is a little off from the print on your invites. Or the best man's boutonniere has a hint of baby's breath where you'd specified berries. Let's face it, even the most perfectly planned wedding is sure to hit a few bumps along the way.

The solution: When you've worked so hard for so many months on your wedding-day details, it can be hard to deal when you find a flaw among them. The key is that when you spot one, you'll need to take a deep breath and think: How important is this going to be to me in a year? Not in 10 years, not even in five, but in one. Chances are, most mishaps that are causing you so much agita won't really matter to you once you're at your wedding (let alone after it). If it's a serious snarl, go ahead and deal with it. But if it's a minor mess-up, just move on. You can't give up all of your resources to every little crisis. Pick your battles wisely and they will be better fought. Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

#9: Blowing Your Budget

The problem: You came up with a number. You did some research. You revised the number. You started planning ... and now that number's not going to cut it. Budgeting for a wedding can be the stuff of nuptial nightmares -- but that doesn't mean you should elope.

The solution: If you find you've underestimated some expenses, don't panic. Instead, sit down with your fiance and try to reach a constructive solution. Maybe you can give up an item or trade one for another (for example, dahlias over Black Magic roses saves about $4 per stem). If you're coming up short overall, you may have to take on some debt. To make it as minimal as possible, consider obtaining a low-interest loan or using a low-interest credit card. And to keep it from becoming a source of tension between the two of you, make a plan to deal with the debt and a deadline for paying it off so it won't hang over your heads. Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

#10: Saving Your Place Cards for the Morning Of

The problem: Right now, it might seem weird to have a basic sketch of your seating plan or all of your favors tagged and ready to go. But other than taking up a little extra space in your closet, they're not causing any harm -- and they will actually save you a ton of stress a month or two down the line. The closer the wedding gets, the busier you'll be, so making (and sticking to) your timeline is essential.

The solution: Worried you're jumping ahead on the wedding planning timeline? Don't be. You're in the best possible situation. If you're set on saving tasks until the appointed time (rather than going ahead and doing a little of this or that when you've got the time), you may wind up with way too much to accomplish in the last month (or week) before the wedding. That's exactly the time when anything (and everything) can happen, when everyone will have demands on your time, and you'll -- well, you'll just want to take a hot bath and dream about your honeymoon. With check marks beside all your biggest to-dos, you'll be able to relax and enjoy your wedding -- and the days leading up to it. Make no mistake about it. Read more: 10 Most Common Wedding Planning Mistakes - Wedding Planning - TheKnot.com http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/planning-a-wedding/articles/10-most-common-wedding-planning-mistake-solutions.aspx?page=2#ixzz1Y2QmtYY0

Video: Teaser of Melissa's wedding day at Texas Old Town with Mark Thomas Pro Photo and Video

2011-09-14T13:12:00.000-05:00

Melissa teaser by Mark Thomas Pro Photo and Video

Kaitlyn's Portraits at Texas Old Town

2011-09-13T13:03:00.000-05:00

Bruce Fisher Photography came out and took Kaitlyn's senior portraits at Sage Hall. Check them out!

Kerri & Zach's wedding at Texas Old Town - Austin Wedding Venue

2011-09-08T15:05:00.001-05:00

Check out Kerri and Zach's wedding photos by 2now1 Photography!

Scottye & Allen: married at Texas Old Town

2011-09-02T13:32:00.000-05:00

There is something undeniably charming and alluring about Scottye + Allen's recent celebration over at Texas Old Town. Sunny 16 Photography was on hand to beautifully capture this homespun wedding and the photos definitely speak for themselves. Rustic perfection. Timeless melancholy. Words can do no justice. It's all about the romance.

Did I mention they’ve known each other since 5th grade :)

Scottye and Allen, you guys totally rocked it! Your wedding was gorgeous and the details were exquisite! Such wonderful inspiration!

To see all the great photos, visit Sunny 16 Photography.

Venue: Texas Old Town- Redbud Hall
Flowers: Blossoms by Honey - Sandee Clopton
Cakes: Brenda Hamill
Catering: Texas Rib King
Dress: Unbridaled
DJ: Toast Ent. - Walter

Danielle & Alex: Engagement photos at Texas Old Town

2011-08-10T14:00:00.000-05:00

Danielle & Alex began a friendship years ago that developed into a great love story. He proposed to her in a vineyard with their close friends watching. I love the way they look at one another! They have a sweet life here in Austin but their beginning started much farther North, where they’ll be getting married next year. There were so many from their session that I love but here are a few of our favorites.

All Photos By Haydon Photography: www.HaydonPhotography.com

The first three photos are from different Austin areas, but the rest with the vintage car are out at Texas Old Town.

Bryan & Melissa married at Texas Old Town in Tejas Hall

2011-08-09T16:02:00.000-05:00

"Everything is bigger and better in our great state and this mega wedding was no different! 10 bridesmaids, 10 groomsmen, 4 ushers, 2 flower girls, 2 ring bearers, plus tons of family and friends. Bryan and Melissa both work for Elgin ISD. Bryan is a coach and Melissa is a teacher. I think the whole town showed up! We did have some typical July heat, but the Tejas Hall at Texas Old Town was nice and cool! The groomsmen were dressed in khaki pants, boots, white shirts and red ties (they were all thanking Melissa for not having to wear jackets!) and they girls were dressed in brown and carried vibrant flowers. The ceremony was beautiful and then a party broke out! Lots of boot scootin', chicken fried steak, heart warming toasts, yummy cake, a very large grand march and craziness in the live photo booth. Incredible wedding coordination by Carolyn with terrific staff support. The DJ kept the crowd on the dance floor. It was a wonderful evening. Enjoy viewing this totally "Texas" wedding while Bryan and Melissa spend their honeymoon on the beaches of St. Lucia. We are jealous!" All Photos and write up by J Mark Photography - www.jmarkphotography.com

Texas Old Town wedding: Nicki and Stacy

2011-07-21T16:58:00.000-05:00

Check out a little excerpt of Nicki and Stacy's wedding day photographed by Ben Godkin!

P.S. - Ben Godkin is one of my favorite photographers in the Austin area. His work is clean and different, which makes him stand out IMHO from the multitude of photographers!!

And now to the lovely couple: Nicki and Stacy.

7 Products for your Wedding Day at Texas Old Town

2011-07-19T13:24:00.000-05:00

We know it. You wanna have THE BEST SKIN EVER on your wedding day. Don’t we all! We want to appear at the end of that aisle and have everyone commenting about how we’re “glowing” and whispering about our skin care regime. Here’s a little secret: our La Belle Bride team is a bit product obsessed. It’s true. Personally, I’m always pouring over the newest products and perusing the aisles of Sephora in hopes to find the next big “IT” product. So I polled not only our team but also a few brides and some of my best girl friends and here it is: The 7 Must-Have Products for Your Wedding Day Glow.

And of course we’ve narrowed it down to 4 easy steps:

CLEANSE: Wash away the grit of the day with Purity Foaming Daily Cleanser. It’s gentle and won’t leave you with “dry, tight face”. Which I hate.
MOISTURIZE: I’m a moisturizing FREAK. I love cream. And hands down La Mer is the best. Tis’ truly a miracle from under the sea. It contains amazing plant extracts that leaves your skin SUPER smooth and moisturized. I am also in love with Naturopathica’s Vitamin K Eye Brightening Serum. No joke, it leaves the delicate skin under your eye feeling SO STINKIN’ SOFT AND SMOOTH. I kid you not. It’s wonderful.
PROTECT: If you ain’t wearing sunscreen by now, well you’re just stubborn and foolish. The sun will get ya! Protecting your face with sunscreen is THE BEST way to fight advanced signs of aging. You don’t want to look like a shriveled raisin, do ya? I didn’t think so. So please slap on Josie Maran’s Protect Daily Sun Protection. It’s 40 SPF will show the sun who’s boss. And slap on a little Burt’s Bee Lip Balm to top it all off.
ILLUMINATE: Your all clean, moisturized, and protected – now we wanna shine. We suggest Stila’s Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer coupled with Nars’ The Multiple – which can be applied anywhere on your face to add some shimmer. Your skin will shine with a beachy glow that will have heads spinning.

VIA: La Belle Bride

Melissa - Bridal Portraits at Texas Old Town

2011-07-13T09:32:00.000-05:00

Melissa was married this past weekend in Tejas hall, but below are a few of her bridal portraits to ohh and ahh over for now!

"Bridal portraits may be the most fun, ever. Especially, at Texas Old Town. We could literally find hundreds of settings. The only down side is that we had to wait until after the wedding to post them! Melissa had an incredible event last Saturday at Tejas Hall. Super staff, fun crowd, and the totally Texas feel that Melissa and Bryan were wanting. Look for pictures in the next couple of weeks. But, wait... I got distracted, back to the bridal session. Isn't she stunning? Boots, barn wood, bridges, water, grass, fields and fences. We loved this session"
-J Mark Photography

11 Important Reception Site Questions - Texas Old Town

2011-07-05T13:56:00.000-05:00

11 Important Wedding Reception Site Questions

First posted by: Bridal Guide - http://bridalguide.com/planning/wedding-reception/11-important-wedding-reception-site-questions

Have your heart set on a particular reception site? Make sure you've answered these key questions before you book it.

You can't really set a wedding date until you've secured a location for your wedding reception (and ceremony), so the sooner you tackle this task, the better—do it 10 to 12 months in advance, if possible.
Once you've narrowed down your choices (a hotel? a banquet hall? a country club?), sit down with the banquet manager (or other representative) at each place to hash out the details. If you like what you hear, you can cross this task off your list and start planning the party itself.

Texas Old Town:

Texas Old Town offers unique and spacious reception halls, which include the following amenities:

8 am to Midnight rental (16 hours)
Tables & Chairs for reception halls
Bride & Groom Dressing Rooms
Outdoor Ceremony Sites with white, padded chair Seating
Outdoor PA system with Amplifier, microphone & CD player
Indoor PA system
Climate Controlled Indoor reception Sites
Spacious Restrooms
Parking with a parking lot attendant
Clean up services after party
Day before Rehearsal (If ceremony site is available)
Day before decorating (If hall is available)
Your choice of vendors
Engagement and bridal photo sessions

All amenities are included in the rental cost. NO EXTRA COSTS will be incurred!

What services does the rental fee include?
Some reception halls provide catering services as well as all the necessary equipment (tables, chairs, linens, tableware and so on), while others offer only the room, requiring you to take care of all the equipment rentals.
To ensure that your party runs smoothly, the site should provide a banquet manager (or other senior staff member) who will be present on the day of your wedding at no extra charge. For an additional fee, you might also be able to arrange for valet parking, a restroom attendant and a coat room attendant.

Is the rental fee cheaper if we don't book a Saturday night? Saturday night weddings are the most expensive, since that's the most sought-after time. But if you book a Friday or Sunday night you'll likely get a better rate—about 30% lower—simply because those days are less in-demand. Rental fees also vary per month—you'll get a better deal if you book a date during low season (usually the months of November through April).

Are you hosting other events before, during or after ours on the same day? Try to avoid booking a banquet hall that's hosting another wedding simultaneously—you want the staff's attention to be focused entirely on your event. It's more common for sites to book an afternoon and evening event on the same day, which usually isn't a problem.
Most sites are rented in four-hour increments, with two hours built in on both sides of the event, so that your vendors will have time to set it up and break it down. If your wedding is going to require more than two hours' worth of styling, consider booking a site that has no other receptions planned that day so your vendors won't feel rushed.

Can we bring in our own caterer? If your location offers catering, this probably won't be allowed. However, if your site does welcome outside caterers, you may be required to choose from a list of "preferred" vendors—companies the site managers trust and who know the ins-and-outs of the reception space's kitchen and dining areas.

What is your alcohol policy? Your catering fee might include a full open bar, for which you'll be charged either a flat fee or by the hour—or you may have the option of being charged based on what, and how much, guests actually consume. Some sites don't have liquor licenses, in which case you'll have to purchase the booze yourself. Or, if you're using an independent caterer, you can ask him or her to handle the specifics for you.

Are your health-department and insurance certificates up to date? Reputable sites meet health codes and carry liability insurance in case someone becomes severely injured while on the property. If there's no paperwork to prove these things, you don't want to do business there.

Are there adequate restroom facilities? Always check out the toilet situation. Look for cleanliness, of course, and make sure the bathrooms can accommodate your crowd. In general, you'll need at least two bathroom stalls for every 100 guests; for 150 guests, four or more stalls are ideal.

Can you accommodate physically challenged guests? While most buildings will have ramps and elevators, don't just take the manager's word for it. Do a walk-through to see for yourself how well these features will meet the needs of your wheelchair-bound guests. Look for spacious elevators, wide ramps and doorways, handicapped-accessible bathroom stalls in both the men's and women's restrooms and so on.

Is there air-conditioning? Don't assume. Ask. If you're getting married in the hot summer months, this is essential to your and your guests' comfort.

Are there any restrictions we need to know about? If a site is located in a heavily residential area, it might be held to noise restrictions set forth by the community—meaning, you may be required to close down your party at a certain hour (10 p.m. is a common cut-off time). Also ask about fire hazards—some sites do not allow the use of taper candles or sparklers, for instance.

What is your payment and cancellation policy? If you've chosen a site and are satisfied with the services promised, you will be asked to sign a contract that includes everything that's been discussed verbally—such as the name of the room you're renting, the items provided and the number of staff, the times allowed for setup and breakdown, the hours allotted for your party, the taxes and even the gratuities. Upon signing, you may be asked to provide a security deposit (find out if, and under what circumstances, your money is refundable, and make sure this is clearly stated in the contract).

A letter to "Uncle Bob", the too eager amateur photographer.

2011-06-27T09:16:00.000-05:00

Dear Uncle Bob,
It's been so nice to see you at all the weddings! I just love how you always look different at each one. Sometimes you come as a special cousin, or the husband of a friend, or even, my favorite, an actual beloved uncle!
But I can always recognize you with all your pro-level camera gear, which is really fun to chat with you about during quiet moments at the reception. And I know from our conversations that you understand that, despite how far manufacturers have come in making digital cameras so easy to use, it's not what your camera can do for you, but what you can do with your camera!
So it is in this spirit of camraderie that I offer these suggestions, from one image-maker to another.

Tip 1: Don't bring your camera!

There is, afterall, someone there whom the bride and groom has hired to photograph their day (and you know what they say about too many cooks...). This person has serious equipment and experience. And most likely, the pro will post all the images on a web gallery so you and all your friends and family can see and have the pictures.
If you're a serious photographer you might have noticed that it can almost be more exciting to not take a picture when you want to. It suddenly makes the world come alive. You notice those small details, the light, the way the whole world comes together in its dance to make the thing in front of you into an amazing photo, if only...
Honestly, if I ever get invited to a wedding as a guest, I never bring a camera. Because while a wedding is a great photo opportunity, how much are you enjoying it or even really there with the other guests when you are looking at the whole thing through a viewfinder? I say, sit back, relax, drink, dance, meet new people, and let your camera have the night off.

Tip 2: Ok, if you have to bring your camera, use a long lens and tripod.

You have some really great photos, Uncle Bob, and it does take someone with a special eye to be a great photographer. But weddings are a very particular kind of photoshoot that can prove challenging to even great photographers.
There are a lot of expectations going into the day, everyone is feeling the pressure for things to go well for the bride and groom, and the unexpected always seems to happen. If something messes up the pro-photographer's shots (like someone jumping into the aisle during the ceremony, distracting the family during a formal photo set-up, or getting in the way during a special moment between the bride and her aunt at the reception), s/he can't schedule a re-shoot. And those are moments lost forever for the bride and groom.

With a long lens and some strategic positioning, you can get all of those fantastic shots you make while steering clear of being underfoot of the hired photographer.

Similarly, with a simple, lightweight tripod or even a tabletop monopod, you can bump up your ISO and make some amazing shots—without your flash.
Additional flash can be a problem for the hired photographer. It will overexpose the pro's shots, trip his/her slaved lights, or just make things look really weird sometimes. I mean, it's true, a good wedding photographer can use it to his/her advantage, and it can look great. But it is unpredictable for the pro to work with, so if you're going to shoot quite a lot, try a series without your flash. It might even open up your repertoire a bit.

Tip 3: Wear sneakers!

Think of them as your Superhero shoes! Sneakers will help you maneuver about the ceremony and festivities without being too distracting or making too much noise. Plus, you can get out of the way of the pro photographer quickly!
You don't want to be in competition with the pro photographer. S/he's the guy the bride and groom have entrusted with the official documentation of their wedding day! You don't want that person to miss any of the shots. How sad would that be for the bride and groom—your family and friends?
If you will step back (or down, as the case may be if you've brought a ladder) so that the pro has the best angle on something, the bride and groom (whom you came to see be married) will thank you.

Tip 4: Keep an eye on the pro.

One of the best gifts you can give to the bride and groom at their wedding is to keep an eye on the pro, and photograph whatever s/he isn't. Be like a second shooter and photograph the mother of the bride's teary smile during the father-daughter dance.
You actually have a one-up on the professional photographer at a wedding because you know the family and friends. You'll know that cousins Steve and Jim haven't seen each other since they were boys, and you can photograph their reunion drink at the bar that is likely off the radar for the pro.
If you plan to share your images, this will give the newlyweds a really full picture of their wedding day, from all angles.

Rather than being left with 500 shots of the first dance and 400 shots of the cake, they'll have visual memories of everyone who was there and all that happened, on the main stage as well as in the wings.
Oh, Uncle Bob, we have so much fun together at these things. And I just want you to remember that you were invited to the wedding to enjoy yourself! So let's never argue.

When we work together at weddings to make awesome shots for the bride and groom, it's really just the best!

Love your BFF,
The Professional Wedding Photographer

http://www.besthudsonvalleyweddingever.com/wedding-tips/a-letter-to-your-uncle-bob-tips-for-the-amateur-photographer-at-weddings

Family photos at Texas Old Town

2011-06-20T11:25:00.000-05:00

Check out these sister's family photos by Bruce Fisher Photographer. They used Tejas Hall as a backdrop and got several great shots.

Christie's Bridal Portraits by Debra Gulbas Photography

2011-06-16T11:02:00.000-05:00

Debra Gulbas always has amazing photos! Check out Debra's other work here and scroll down to see Christie's bridal portraits; her wedding photos are coming soon!

Summer & Love

2011-06-01T15:33:00.000-05:00

Happy First of June and the beginning of Summer! This time of year comes with lots of joy, relaxing and vacations for families with children in school, but it is also the time of year that many people get married!

June is the month with the longest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the shortest daylight hours of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. Just think of all the late evening outdoor events with the cool summer breeze and beautiful sunsets.

June in the Northern Hemisphere is the seasonal equivalent to December in the Southern Hemisphere and vice versa.

June is known for the large number of marriages that occur over the course of the month. According to one etymology, June is named after Juno (Hera). Juno was the goddess of marriage and a married couple's household, so some consider it good luck to be married in this month.^[1]

In Iceland, folklore says that if you bathe naked in the morning dew on the morning of June 24, you are supposed to keep aging at bay for longer.

In both common and leap years, no other month begins on the same day of the week as June. This month and May are the only two months that have this property. June ends on the same day of the week as March every year. This definitely doesn't ever lead to confusion over your anniversary date.

Juneteenth, (aka Freedom Day or Emancipation Day) occurs primarily in Texas on June 19.

So, what are you planning for this summer?

12 WORST Pieces of Wedding Advice

2011-05-25T13:42:00.000-05:00

12 Worst Pieces of Wedding Advice

Brides share the most awful tips they've been given while planning their wedding.

By Anne Roderique-Jones

1. Bad advice: "My grandmother told me that I must wear a white dress or else people will start thinking that I'm not a virgin. I'm a 30-year-old bride who has been living with my fiance for six years."
What you should do: This "rule" is completely antiquated. In fact, there are probably quite a few engaged virgins out there who will choose to wear ivory (gasp!) on their wedding day. Wear whichever color you love that looks best with your skin tone. In fact, white works best on darker skin tones, and ivory shades flatter lighter skin.

2. Bad advice: "It's YOUR wedding, and this day is all about YOU!"
What you should do: It is your wedding day, but don't forget the little people. Treat your wedding party (and guests) with respect. For instance, let your bridesmaids help choose their dresses, and don't have a cash bar.

3. Bad advice: "Type up and print generic thank-you notes ahead of time, and just slap a label with your names on them instead of signing them."
What you should do: Your guests took the time to choose (yes, even if it was on a registry!) and pay for your gifts, and it's your job as a gracious couple to get your thank-you notes out in a timely fashion (it's easiest to write them right when the gift arrives). Make sure they're handwritten and heartfelt.

4. Bad advice: "You don't need a wedding planner; let your mom handle it."
What you should do: Unless you want your wedding to be officially mom-themed, ask your mom to help you plan some of the important and personal details, but leave the big stuff to the pros.

5. Bad advice: "Send invites to people you know will not come."
What you should do: Those hopeful no-shows may decide to make an appearance. You may get the gift, but you'll also be over capacity and over budget. Invite the people whom you actually want to be at your wedding, and enjoy the day with those who matter most to you.

6. Bad advice: "If it's not a diamond, then it's not a real engagement ring."
What you should do: Kate Middleton rocks a sapphire, and ladies in Greece wear pearls. Bottom line: Wear what you love ... or at least what was given to you.
Video: Wedding Tips from David Beahm>

7. Bad advice: "Someone told me to ship the gown to New Jersey to avoid paying NYC taxes. Umm, no, that's tax evasion, and I don't look good in stripes."
What you should do: If you're planning to have your dress shipped, then inquire about discount codes. But picking it up at the salon is usually the most cost-effective option.

8. Bad advice: "My future father-in-law said not to bother getting my wedding band sized down to fit because I'll just have to get it sized up one day."
What you should do: There's no reason that anyone has to gain the "newlywed nine." Plus, if you don't size it properly, you're much more likely to lose it!

9. Bad advice: "My mother suggested having the cocktail hour before the ceremony."
What you should do: Do that and your guests will be sauced before you exchange your vows. Instead, open the bar after the ceremony, and serve nonalcoholic bevs like lemonade and cucumber water beforehand.

10. Bad advice: "Take out a loan for the wedding!"
What you should do: Instead, save diligently and have a personal and meaningful wedding that you can afford. Money fights are no fun, and debt is not the way you want to enter into marriage.

11. Bad advice: "You'll want a short engagement so the groom doesn't change his mind."
What you should do: Shorter engagements leave you less time to find vendors. Most engagements are over a year long, and planning a wedding is stressful. If your groom runs away during this time, he'd never last the entire marriage. It's a good trial.

12. Bad advice: "Cut back on costs and have a potluck and BYOB reception."

What you should do: A wedding is an event that you host, and these are your guests. Don't expect them to provide their own food and drink. If cost is an issue, look into having an early brunch with mimosas or having your event catered by a local restaurant, which is often more affordable.

DISCLAIMER: This article was originally posted on MSN Lifestyle and written by The Knot. You can see it clicking HERE!

The 10 Biggest Things Brides Forget

2011-05-19T15:13:00.000-05:00

By: Meredith Bodgas, The Knot

With all the planning you're doing right now, it's hard to imagine there's any detail you haven't thought of, but trust us, there are certain to-dos that somehow never make it to the list. Here are the top ones we hear about all the time.

1) Making post-wedding plans:
We're not talking about the honeymoon here (who would forget to plan that?) - we mean you need to decide what you're doing immediately after your wedding. If you don't want the party to end with the last dance, you should pick a late-night spot in or near one of the guest hotels. If privacy isn't all that important, book your wedding night room in the same hotel as your guests. If you just want to get to bed, we highly suggest you book a room elsewhere.

2) Bringing your overnight bag:
If you're allowed to check into your hotel room early-and you don't personally need to be there to officially check in-pick someone to drop your overnight bag at your hotel before your ceremony starts. A guest who's staying at the same place will likely be happy to do this for you since they're going to have to check in anyway! If your things can't arrive sooner than you, ask a bridesmaid to be responsible for bringing your bag to the wedding and finding a safe spot for it in the bridal suite. Even easier, if you'll have the same car or limo for the entire day and night, opt to keep your stuff in the trunk.

3) Picking someone to take your things home after the reception:
Your gifts, mementos (think flutes, cake topper, unity candle and guest book) and any leftover food, booze or cake need a trusty escort to get them home. Choose a person and let them know about their responsibility. And you may want to donate your centerpieces. Nursing homes typically accept flowers, but call at least a few days before the wedding to find out when someone can drop off the arrangements . If you're changing out of your gown before you head to your hotel room, you'll need a person to take it home too-even if you have no plans of getting it professionally preserved, you don't want to leave it behind! Make sure there's a hanger and a garment bag on hand (the one your dress came with will do!) so your gown stays in tip-top shape.

4) Deciding where everything goes:
Besides planning where all of your guests sit, you need to figure out where you'll put programs, escort and place cards, menus (if you're having them) and favors. Once you've picked who's going to set these out-your wedding coordinator, bridesmaids and banquet managers are all good choices-give them clear instructions on where they should go (one favor on every other plate at tables, for instance, if you want couples to share the takeaways, or all of them in two baskets by the exits if you want guests to pick them up on the way out). Also, if your venue's staff will be setting out these items, find out when you can drop everything off-some venues want everything a couple of days before your wedding; others won't take anything 'til the day of.

5) Decorating the other areas:
Of course, no guest will walk out of your wedding if the bathrooms and coat check are left bare. But witha ll the energy that's put into dressing up the reception and ceremony spaces, you might want to put in the small extra effort to give these spots the decor they deserve. A few candles will work.

6) Buying gifts for the wedding party:
When gifts are constantly coming to your door, it's hard to remember that you need to dole some out too! So who makes the gift list? Everyone who plays a role in your day-yes, your parents and future in-laws too. You don't need to make a big presentation. Just make sure you give everyone their gift before or at the rehearsal dinner.

7) Choosing how to gather the gifts:
There are three times guests are likely to thrust gifts at you: while they're in the receiving line, during your table visits and when they leave for the night. Designate a person-one of your bridesmaids, your mom or your groom's mom-to collect envelopes, and have them by your side with a large but inconspicuous bag when you're saying hello and good-bye to your guests. That person should also keep an eye out for guests who seem a little lost at the reception-they may be trying to figure out where they should put their gift! If you instead decide to have a birdcage, box or other stationary receptacle, tell a few people to subtly spread the word around. Don't ask your DJ to make an announcement, though. That comes off as being as in-your-face as including a registry card with your wedding invitations, a big no-no, as you know.

8) Figuring out your day-after plans:
If you're leaving for your honeymoon straight from your hotel, make advance arrangements for a car service to take you from the hotel to the airport, and be sure you bring any luggage you want with you on your trip (and a passport if you need it). If you're not going on your honeymoon right away, then you need to know where you're going the morning after your wedding (to your new-or old-home, or your parents' house?) and how you're going to get there. Park your car at the hotel before your wedding if you're allowed, or ask a friend to come pick you up and bring you where you want to go the next day. Don't schedule your ride too early-with any luck, you'll be exhausted.

9) Getting the tips ready:
You know you need to take car of your vendors at the wedding, but you might forget to decide how to tip them. The best way: Stash cash in envelopes the night before your wedding (so the envelopes don't have time to get lost!) and mark each one with the appropriate vendor's name. Choose a person to hold the envelopes (dads with their large tuxedo jacket pockets are perfect for this) and decide when to give them out. Tip delivery people, the ones bringing your cake and flowers, for instance, as soon as they drop off the goods, The end of the night is a logical time to tip people who will be there through the whole party, like the DJ/band members, servers and bartenders. Usually, photographers and videographers split after the cake cutting or bouquet toss, so make sure your tip-holder catches them before they go.

10) Making and confirming itineraries:
Check in with every single vendor, from the limo driver to the linen rental company, two days before your wedding. Many of your pros will beat you to it, so be ready to go over times and locations whenever you get a call. Send out agendas to your bridesmaids and groomsmen too-how else will they know what time you're taking photos? If someone in the bridal party is notorious for being late, start their schedule half an hour early just in case.

A Celebrity Hill Country Wedding

2011-05-16T13:11:00.000-05:00

Lambert and Shelton's engagement photos

After a year of engagement, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton made it official Saturday night, reports Us Weekly.
The country crooners tied the knot in front of 550 folks -- including Reba McEntire, Martina McBride and Cee Lo Green -- at the Don Strange Ranch, 45 minutes from San Antonio in Texas hill country. Lambert, 27, who wore her mom's wedding dress, told Us after the service: "I'm married to my best friend! Looking forward to a lifetime of laughter."
Her husband, 34, sounded equally giddy: "I wanted to be married to Miranda the day I proposed. Finally, it's official!"

Holly & Steven: Texas Old Town - Sage Hall - Kyle, TX

2011-05-09T14:43:00.002-05:00

"It was a beautiful day in Kyle, Texas for Holly and Steven’s wedding. When we arrived at Texas Old Town, we knew we were in for a great day. Holly looked beautiful as ever preparing for her walk down the aisle and laughing with her bridal party. Steven and the guys were just as relaxed and ready for the festivities. The whole day from start to finish was enjoyable. It was a difficult but fun job to narrow down the images we wanted to share on the blog!
Much love and many thanks to the newest Mr. & Mrs. Vasterling and their awesome families."
- Joe Anna & Gary Haydon, Haydon Photography

UPDATE:

From Holly, the bride:

Here's a list of my vendors:

Flowers - Infinite Flowers by Sherrill Mogonye
www.infinite-flowers.com and http://infiniteflowers.blogspot.com/

Catering - Fuschak's Pit Bar-B-Q in San Marcos
http://www.fuschaksbbq.com/
The catering manager's name was Morgan and he was amazing. They were extremely helpful and included everything we needed for the dinner service. I would highly recommend them!

Band - The Crop Dusters
These were guys I went to high school with. They don't have a webiste, but can be found on Facebook and MySpace.

Groom's Cake - The Sweet Stuff in Kyle, TX
http://www.thesweetstuff.com/
The lady that makes the cakes is Michelle, and she was wonderful.

I also have to mention Jennifer Longoria with A Perfect Image hair salon in Bastrop. The person who was originally going to do all of our hair cancelled at the last minute, and I had to find a replacement two weeks before the wedding. My sister-in-law recommended Jennifer, who is her stylist. Jennifer moved her appointments around so she could come out to Texas Old Town to do my bridal party's hair, and for only $55 each! She was very quick and did a beautiful job! She certainly saved the day.

Texas Old Town - Austin, TX - Outdoor, rustic, elegant wedding montage - Everafter Images Photography

2011-05-05T09:46:00.000-05:00

Kelci and David's wedding - Redbud Hall at Texas Old Town in Kyle, TX

2011-04-22T08:32:00.000-05:00

Kelci and David were just recently married in Redbud Hall at Texas Old Town. Chanda, from Chanda's Photography, did an amazing write up on their day and allowed me to re-post from her blog.

"Saturday, April 19th was the perfect day for a wedding. Lot's of sunshine, a beautiful venue and lots of family and friends to share Kelci and Dave's special day with them. Kelci and Dave were married at Texas Old Town in Kyle, Tx. Kelci just completed her Dental Hygiene school and testing and Dave is a fireman in Weatherford. It was such a beautiful wedding with all the bright coordinating colors I had a hard time picking just a few so here goes lots of my favorites!!"

Hair and makeup was done by Split Ends Hair Salon with Whitney Nolen being the stylist. She's located in Weatherford and did an outstanding job on all these pretty girls!

The beautiful flowers were done by Kate Foley of Kate Foley Designs in Austin. What a beautiful job she did! I love the way she tagged the boquets! So cute and the quality of these arrangements was outstanding! They withheld the heat all day!

What a sweet ceremony it was. So much love between these two and their families! They are so blessed!

The cakes were amazing!

They had the cutest Sweet Shop set up!

And Kelci had Flip Books out of Austin set up for the reception! It was so much fun for everyone to have their very own flip book made, I even did it! LOL!

And the perfect sendoff to Antigua! Wow! What a great wedding, what a great night and I bet they are having a great honeymoon! Happy Forever Mr. and Mrs. David Sears!!

Tara & Jay - March 27, 2011

2011-04-20T09:28:00.000-05:00

Tara and Jay were married in Sage Hall at Texas Old Town on March 27, 2011. Jake Holt was their photographer and did an amazing job capturing their day. You can see his entire blog of their wedding day too.

Check out their beautiful wedding below.

Keith and Gina: 3.26.11

2011-04-19T15:18:00.000-05:00

We're coming up to the one month anniversary of Keith and Gina. Just one more week! Check out their photos by Kristin Anderson Photography and a list of their other vendors!

Photographer- Kristin Anderson Photography www.KristinDAnderson.com
Caterer- Catering by Mopsie

Linens- BBJ Linens

Hair/Makeup- Beauty Secret Salon

Cake- Sugar N Spice Patisserie
Venue - Texas Old Town!

Jen + Evan = Marriage

2011-04-06T11:42:00.000-05:00

Jen and Evan were married last year in Redbud Hall, but I can't resist putting up good wedding photos...so check out this beautiful couple and the amazing photographs captured by Doberenz Photography.

This sign blew down a few months ago during a really strong wind storm. We're working on getting it back up!

Jen and Evan decided to do a first look.

This is one of those "WOW" moments.

Jen played Evan a song on her ukulele!

S'mores for the guests for the campfire. Mmm...

Here's the s'mores!

Don't you just love the dress Jen changed into?!

Reider & Martha more photos!

2011-03-30T15:55:00.000-05:00

I wrote a blog not too long ago about Reider and Martha. They got married in June 2010, using Redbud hall, and Kelli Kurachi Photography took their photos. I've got a few more photos now, so I figured you all would like to see the rest of their wedding and reception!

Machicek & Ritter Wedding by SGI Photography

2011-03-28T11:40:00.000-05:00

Look at this beautiful wedding at Texas Old Town and reception in Sage Hall. Just remember this wedding isn't a recent one so you don't see our beautiful stone walkway to the ceremony site. The Machicek and Ritter wedding was photographed by SGI Photography. Did you know that SGI stands for Slava G. Ivanov, the name of the photographer behind SGI Photography (click his name above to find out more about Slava). He was originally from Russia and now is a Houston area photographer.

Now soak in the beautiful photos below! Enjoy:

Tymniac & Jarmon Wedding by Studio 563

2011-03-24T14:16:00.000-05:00

Check out these amazing photos from the Tymniac and Jarmon wedding and reception. Their ceremony was at a church in Austin and their reception was in Redbud Hall at Texas Old Town. Studio 563 did an amazing job on their photos!!

Donell & Hamil Wedding by Abbey Henderson Photography

2011-03-22T10:47:00.000-05:00

Check out the Donell and Hamil wedding shot by Abbey Henderson Photography. Check out her blog and other work here: http://www.ahpblog.com/

McShane_Ferguson Wedding

2011-03-08T13:19:00.000-06:00

It looks like we have a trend going of wedding photo posts by Vignette Photography! Check out the McShane_Ferguson wedding... Now, I have posted a few of these before and some on facebook, but photos always look so much better when you can see them together in a layout like this. Don't you think so?

Another thing... I absolutely love how Elizabeth, the photographer, can capture the rustic elegance of the Texas Hill Country and the beauty of Texas Old Town in a small photo.

I want to mention that our dressing rooms have been remodeled since this event. :)

A wedding full of converse, cupcakes, top hats, and a really cool cake topper...

The Ellis - Luevano Wedding

2011-03-07T12:36:00.000-06:00

Check out Vignette Photography's photos of the Ellis-Luevano wedding. We got these just in time for the spring time flowers and colors. What do you think?

Doesn't this just look like it was a great night. By the way, Elizabeth, the photographer from Vignette is great photographer and a great person in general! You should definitely check out her work if you are in the market for a photographer!!

A photo session...

2011-03-02T12:03:00.000-06:00

Just because we can...check out this photo session by JDS Fotographie! Let us know what you think.

Reider and Martha got married!

2011-03-01T16:28:00.000-06:00

Last June Reider and Martha got married at Texas Old Town. They photographer was Kelli Kurachi, and Martha used to babysit her so this was a very special event for Kelli!

See some of Martha and Reider's beautiful wedding day below.

Another great wedding!

2011-02-17T16:00:00.000-06:00

J. Cota Photography sent us these pictures of a wedding in Sage Hall in 2010. Enjoy!

Happy Valentine's Day...and a wedding.

2011-02-14T10:46:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day or S.A.D (singles awareness day)!

Here's a few facts you might not have known:

♡ In A.D. 496, Pope Gelasius I declared Feb. 14 as Valentine’s Day.
♡ Esther Howland, a native of Massachusetts, is given credit for selling the first mass-produced valentine cards in the 1840s.
♡ Approximately 141 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, making Valentine’s Day the second-most-popular card-sending holiday after Christmas.
♡ More than 35 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold.
♡ In addition to the United States, Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, France, Australia, Denmark and Italy.

Valentine's Day may have evolved from a story about St. Valentine, a cleric during the Roman Empire.
According to the legend, during the reign of Claudius II in A.D. 270, Valentine performed numerous secret wedding ceremonies against the emperor’s orders. When his actions were discovered, Valentine was sentenced to death on Feb. 14. While in jail he wrote a love note to the jailer’s daughter, signing it, “From your Valentine.”

Now on to a beautiful wedding by Daniel C Photography. Congrats Lacey and Lee, your wedding was beautiful.

Gosh, don't you just love weddings?

A Texas Soiree: Kyle Chamber Annual Awards Gala

2011-02-08T11:58:00.000-06:00

The Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce held a sold out Texas Soiree at the Texas Old Town event center in Kyle, Texas on January 29, 2011. The event, held yearly, recognizes the achievements and accomplishments of the members of the Kyle Chamber of Commerce as it celebrated on the continued success of the community.

Winners for the Kyle Chamber Annual Awards Gala were:
2010 Volunteer of the Year: Vince Collier Encompass Lending Group
2010 Organization of the Year: Hope and Love 4 Kids
2010 Ambassador of the Year: Vince Collier, Encompass Lending Group
2010 Business Person of the Year: Vince Collier, Encompass Lending Group
2010 Small Business of the Year: Vince Collier, Encompass Lending Group
2010 Large Business of the Year: Seton Medical Center Hays

“All nominees have demonstrated exceptional service and community leadership. The winners were selected as the best of the best in the Kyle area,” said Ray Hernandez, Executive Director, Kyle Chamber of Commerce. "They are part of the reason that the Kyle, Texas area continues to be the hub of economic development growth in the corridor."

In addition to the awards presentation, the black tie soiree featured live music by the Jonathan Moody Band, dinner and a live and silent auction that served as a fundraiser for the Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce. For additional information on the award winning Kyle Area Chamber of Commerce please visit: www.KyleChamber.org.

Additional pictures can be viewed at http://brucefisherphotography.com.

Texas Old Town video

2011-01-26T16:28:00.000-06:00

Check out our video:

Texas Old Town

Texas Old Town Info You Might Have Missed...

2011-01-26T07:48:00.000-06:00

We have been in many photographers blogs, personal blogs, randomly shown up on Google, etc. I thought you might like to see these links, story's and "lost weddings" that we never received photos for, but you can find by spending a few hours online. So enjoy the links below and let us know what you think!

Cindy and Mario - Jewish Wedding 

"There were so many wonderful traditions at this beautiful Jewish ceremony.
First off- the chuppah was made from the Brides Mother's wedding veil and decorated with flowers.
Before the ceremony they had the signing of the ketubah and had custom yarmulkes made with their names and wedding date printed underneath.
The flower girls and ring bearers were her cute nieces and nephews- it was so cute and funny watching the two ring bearers diplomatically share their duties!
Since this Cuban -Jewish couple just moved from Brooklyn to Texas they knew there had to be salsa dancing as well as the dancing of the horah at their reception. The Houston based band Guateque was awesome!
Rosehip Flora- created whimsical displays with hydrangeas, succulents and birds nests for the ceremony, red bouquets for the bride and bridesmaids and continued the red theme at the reception with mason jars filled of posey's and tulips .
The escort cards were minature pecan pies that led their guests to their table with turquoised framed vintage alphabet cards.
Thanks to Jeff for taking amazingly fun photobooth shots- an instant success with some recognizable props from our daughters dress up box! (thanks Thea & Matilda).

Venue: Texas Old Town
Coordinator: Jessica Walker
Rabbi: Steven Gross
Band: Guateque
Caterer: Word of Mouth
Florist: Rosehip Flora
Photographer: Katherine O'Brien Photography

A blog about a friend...
Courtney and Steve chose Texas Old Town as their wedding venue because....“We chose this venue mostly because of its versatility. You are pretty much allowed to do whatever you like. Since Steve and I really wanted fireworks, smores and unique decorations, we were looking for a place that would be willing to let us do that. The owner of the place is so nice! You get the venue from 8am to midnight and don’t have to worry about any clean up fees or deposits. Since we are working on a tight budget and will be doing most planning ourselves, it was important to us to have access to the venue for as much time as we needed. Also, Steve and I really didn’t want to do a traditional church wedding. We got engaged in the mountains of North Carolina, so we wanted some of that to carry over into our wedding. Therefore, the rustic nature of this venue was perfect! We absolutely can’t wait for our wedding day.”

Lacey & Lee - Sept. 24, 2010

"Lacey and Lee tied the knot September 24, 2010 at Texas Old Town in Kyle, Texas, just south of Austin. This was such a fun wedding to be a part of and I can’t thank Lacey and Lee enough for choosing me to be the photographer that documented their beautiful journey! We got some amazing engagement photos, and some gorgeous bridals as well. After a beautiful ceremony, the party kicked into overdrive, and The Grooves kept the dance floor packed! And check out that Classic Ford Fairlane get-away car! Wow! Thanks To Johnell from Clearly Classy Events for the coordination. Congrats Lacey and Lee!" Their photographer was Daniel C. Photography

Zach and Liz Nov. 17, 2010

By Ben Godkin Photography

It's a Wedding

by J.Cota Photography

Katie and Cole

"This bride had a fun time collecting vintage props and decorating the stage and tables at her wedding at Texas Old Town in Kyle Texas. She hung old windows and frames with ribbon on the walls, had rustic doors with candles and petals and draped pearls on painted branches. Her floral color palette was soft pinks and baby blue mixed with the white of dusty miller leaves. I think the ladies outnumbered the men at this wedding but all their guest all had a rockin' time dancing!
Congratulations Katie & Cole!"

Venue: Texas Old Town
Cake: Sugar Shack, Wimberley
Grooms Cake: Wimberley Pie Company
Photographer: Katherine O'Brien Photography

Michelle & Jerry 

"THANKS for having me be a part of your day you are truly one of the funniest couples I have ever met. Keep making each other laugh. Thanks to Barbara with Barbara’s Brides for the hook up.
Vendors: Pink Avocado Catering, Bouquets of Austin, Texas Old Town, Say Cheese Photo booth, FILO Lighting, Marquee Linens, Mariachi Jalisco, Soda Creek Band and Photography by Vanessa."

So what do you think? Make sure you take a look through all of the links to see all of these great pictures!

How To Survive Winter Events

2011-01-20T14:20:00.000-06:00

Winter in Texas is crazy. If you have lived in Texas for any amount of time you know the weather can change at the drop of your cowboy hat. ;) Winter is no different. You may be walking around in shorts one day soaking up the sun and the next bundled up because a cold front blew in and dropped the temperature from a lovely 72 to a harsh 30 (for Texans anyway).

So, how do you prepare for a winter event? You ask yourself these questions: How do you decorate? What do you wear? What do you serve to eat?

If you event is in the winter months, why not play it up. Even if it turns out to be a mild Texas winter, decorate like your in a winter wonderland! There are so many things that come to mind when you think of winter. Some people say Christmas trees and poinsettia, others would say snow and bright red berries. Your imagination is your limit when it comes to decorating!

Your attire is another thing to think about. If it does turn out cold, then break out that fancy fur coat (or faux fur) or all those cute scarves and wraps. Think of winter colors; white for snow, red for those red berries and santa's suit, winter blue for frost, and you can even add things like diamonds and crystals for ice.

Food is where all the fun is, in my opinion. There are so many fun things you can serve to keep people warm and really keep with the winter theme. For one, people always think of hot chocolate and egg nog in the winter. I think soups and chowders served in bread bowls are adorable. Plus you can serve things like roast with winter squash. And, we can't forget that bar-b-que is always a hit in Texas!

No matter what you decide to do for your winter event as long as you put a little bit of your personality into the planning, it will turn out great. So, in the spirit of greatness, and since it's supposed to get down into the 20s tonight below are a couple of my favorite winter photos at Texas Old Town. (These are not all from the same events.)

Plus one more...but from somewhere else...because I love it. :)

Jennifer & Landon - December 11 Wedding

2011-01-12T14:42:00.000-06:00

Jennifer and Landon were married in Redbud Hall on December 11. We have a few pictures to share, but to see more check out their photographer's blog, Vignette Photography.

Their vendors:

Photographer – Vignette Photography
Cupcakes – Toot Sweet
Dresses – David’s Bridal
BBQ – Chisholm Trail BBQ
DJ – Ryan Wiliams
Hair/MUA: Rene Pate

Check out that cake topper! I want one.

Update: I'm not sure why some of these are coming out blurry, but take a look on Vignette Photography's blog to see them better!

Wendy & Travis - New Year's Eve

2011-01-06T10:32:00.000-06:00

Wendy and Travis were married on New Year's Eve at Texas Old Town. They used Redbud Hall for their reception and their photos were taken by the grooms sister with Old World Studios photography.

Take a look at their wedding!

Wendy and Travis used black and red for their New Years Eve wedding.

Ceremony site for Redbud Hall

Wendy and Travis' ceremony

Sharing a kiss on the bridge.

The wedding party.

Wedding cake and groom's cake

One of many dances.

Cake time and fun smashing it in each others face!

Jeslyn's New Year's Eve wedding

2011-01-05T11:49:00.000-06:00

Jeslyn just had her wedding at Texas Old Town on New Year's Eve, but had her bridal portraits done in November. Below are a few of her bridal portraits done by Fione Lorne Photography.

Our Favorite Wedding Blogs for 2011

2011-01-03T15:20:00.000-06:00

Hello 2011 brides. Here is a list of our favorite wedding blogs to help you plan your big day and why we love them! **These are in no specific order, just how they are listed in our bookmarks. ;) **

Bride Tide - www.bridetide.com - Bride Tide is like a search engine for all things weddings. What ever you are looking for you can most often find on this site.

Austin Wedding Blog - www.austinweddingblog.com - AWB is local, trendy and they have tons of DIY blog posts. Plus, they link to many of the best wedding vendors around the area...including us!

Southern Weddings - http://iloveswmag.com/ - So Southern Weddings is a magazine, but they also have an amazing blog. You really get to know the girls and plus their Real Weddings section is ahhhh-mazing.

Sparkle & Hay - http://sparkleandhay.blogspot.com/ - If you don't understand why we love this blog by the name, then just take a look. They have tons of ideas and posts that would look great at our venue. Maybe, one day a Texas Old Town bride will be featured on their blog pages!

Clayton Austin. Love. Stories - claytonaustinlovestories.com/blog/ - The two things that make this blog is all it needs...beautiful, amazing photography and the art of words. Seriously, sit down with your laptop, some tissues, maybe a warm cup of coffee and just soak up Clayton's words and photography. Go. Now!!

Ruffled - ruffledblog.com/ - Tons of ideas, inspiration, DIY and Real Weddings for "vintage, indie and DIY brides."

Green Wedding Shoes - greenweddingshoes.com/ - Tons and tons of galleries and DIY ideas are all over the pages of this blog. And who would have known that Southern California style is a lot like Austin, Texas style?!

Last on the list is one for the guys...

Groom Groove - www.groomgroove.com/ - Groom Groove is like an online guide for guys for all things about the wedding. There are ideas, inspiration, what they guys are supposed to do, Groom survival kits, etc. Pretty cool if you ask me.

Photo property of Clayton Austin - claytonaustinlovestories.com

Recent Engagements

2010-12-29T13:39:00.000-06:00

December is not only the month for Christmas and celebrating the new year, but also the month that many couples take the next step in their relationship to becoming engaged!

Several celebrity couples got engaged over the Christmas holidays and even a few of my friends as well. I'm sure New Years Eve will have the same result!

This is a very exciting time for many couples. You should be full of giggles and butterfly's in your stomach and anticipation for what's to come! Not only are you are in a stage of excitement, but your family and friends are celebrating with you as well. So what do you do first?

Well if you have found our blog you are one smart cookie, because wedding venues book from six months to two years in advance! Especially those "premium" dates like 11/11/11 or dates that are very important to a couple like a couple that booked their shared birthday as their wedding day.

But, before you book a venue you need to decide the number of people that will be invited as well as the look and feel you are going for. It is very important to figure this out before you put down a deposit on the venue, because you most likely wont get that money back, unless the venue knows they can resell that date.

The next most important things are finding your wedding dress, booking a photographer (because the really good ones will be booked up to a year in advance) and then the caterer and the DJ or band. After these major things are covered it's easier to find a place for rentals, a florist, invitations, and more.

It seems like a lot, but planning your wedding is tons of fun. You get to experiment and look things up just for the fun of it and giggle to your friends, family and fiance about all the silly, cheesy wedding things you find.

You are definitely excused to having to make everyone happy, but don't turn into a bridezilla either!

So, in the holiday spirit here is a link to a lot of great inspiration boards and the top wedding colors of 2011.

Inspiration board from WeddingWire blog

October Wedding in Sage Hall

2010-12-21T14:31:00.000-06:00

Katie Hodges, now known as Katie Burkhart, got married in October in Sage Hall. Below are just a few (I really mean almost 30) of our favorite pictures from her wedding which was photographed by Griffin Photography. If you're really interested, check out her blog too! It's at http://luckygirlsweetsnstuff.blogspot.com/.

Enjoy!!

2 More Weddings: Jan. 2010 and April 2010

2010-12-16T10:29:00.000-06:00

Maggie and Patrick were married in January 2010 at Saint Mary’s Cathedral in downtown Austin, Texas. They had their reception at Texas Old Town in Sage Hall. Pictures below of their fun reception by the wonderful Old World Studios Photography.

Lacey and Ian were married in April 2010 at Texas Old Town in Tejas Hall. They had PoK-e-Jo's cater their reception and their DJ was The Awesome Sean with ATXDJ. Photography was done by Old World Studios. See their wedding photos below.

Don't you just love weddings?! We will be posting more pictures next week!

2 Weddings: December 4 & December 5 beauties

2010-12-15T12:08:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to Raj'ae and Travis & Angela and Jodie!

These couples recently got married at Texas Old Town. One on December 4 and the other on December 5.
Both were photographed by Margaret of Old World Studios. (Just a reminder...if you have any photos from an event at TOT, pass them on so we can feature your event on our blog!)

Now...on to the photos!

Let's start off with Raj'ae and Travis.

Now it's time for Angela and Jodie!

Stay tuned...because tomorrow we will be featuring a few more weddings photographed by Margaret at Old World Studios!

A Texas Christmas

2010-12-13T14:08:00.000-06:00

In the spirit of Christmas, I want to offer you a few gifts.

Not real physical gifts, but a few cyber gifts! For one, check out this website with a list of Fun things to do all around Texas. This is great if you plan on traveling around visiting family and friends during the holidays. Check it out here: Fun Things to Do In Texas

The next one is a great compilation of free things to do in Austin right now. Free things right when you need them in the midst of all the crazy holiday shopping! Check it out here: Keeping Austin Free

These next few are great family photos that hopefully get you thinking around your family this year. I hope you need a laugh... Photos courtesy of Awkward Family Photos.

Here's to hoping your Christmas is as Fun, Free and Awkward as these links and pictures show!

5 Reasons to Have a Work Holiday Party & What Not to Wear

2010-12-08T11:02:00.000-06:00

All of December and January seems to be filled with various types of holiday parties. Between family, friends and religious celebrations there seems to be little time left to plan that office holiday party. So before you decide to just let it slide to a small break room party with a "Bah Humbug" approach, here are five reasons why you should have an office holiday party and what not to wear!

#1: Increase morale among staff: Most employees find it difficult to be productive during this busy time of the year. An office party increases face-to-face time and gets everyone out of their cubicles and offices. Just acknowledging the holiday season is an instant morale booster.

#2: Tight budget?: You can have an office party even on a tight budget and increase employees' confidence in the company. Why not have a potluck/homemade style office party in the break room or a nice conference room. Break out the decorations and music and let everyone hang out for the afternoon and even leave early after the party.

#3: Recruit new employees: You can fill entry-level and internship positions by networking with your employees for referrals. You can even have them drop a paper into a bowl or basket with their referral and contact info. This can make everyone feel like they are helping the company grow while helping a friend get a job!

#4: The truth can set you free...or not: There is sure to be some different personalities showing up when the office party is in a different setting. Make sure the party is a positive experience by allowing the shy employees to speak up about new things they would like learn or have the opportunity to try. Make sure everything is managed effectively. Arrange for drink tickets or have the bartender check ID's so each person may only have so many drinks.

#5: Teambuilding: Make the rounds with everyone and get to know them away from the normal office and meeting rooms. Provide team building activities to let people in different departments get to know one another. Casino Knights in Austin is a great company to use, and they have been out to Texas Old Town several times.

No matter where or when you chose to have an office holiday party, it will always be appreciated to have some time away from the hustle and bustle of work and get to know the people you work with better.

Now, be sure to play it safe and wear work appropriate not club attire at the office party. Check out these 11 things you should never (ever) wear to an office party, courtesy of Glamour.

Don't #1: Serious Cleavage: Don't get too carried away with the low-cut stuff! You are still with your co-workers at a "work" event.

Don't #2: Holiday Colors: Stay away from the elementary red and green outfits. You may be confused for a Christmas tree.

Don't #3: The Highest Heels You Own: Cute heels are great for a holiday office party, but stay away from the "stripper heels" especially the ones that make you the tallest person in the room.

Don't #4: Crazy Animal Print Clothes: Don't be afraid to try something bold, but keep away from the seriously loud animal prints. You'll have to keep those animal print dresses stowed away for another night.

Don't #5: Sheer Fabric: Super-sheer choices don't go for the office, so you will have to skip them for the office party too.

Don't #6: Ultra Casual Attire: Unless your office party is at a ranch, picnic in the park, or a sporting event, the jeans and a t-shirt is not good for the party.

Don't #7: Christmas Sweater: Do yourself a favor and keep those at home for a cold day by the fire. But, feel free if the invite does say "Ugly Christmas Sweater Party!"

Don't #8: Wrinkled Clothes: Say yes to the iron pre-party. Just because that dress usually looks cute, doesn't mean you can put it on after digging it out of the corner of your closet.

Don't #9: Novelty Socks: Those striped toe socks with jingle bells may sound fun to you, but keep them in the confines of your home for a snow day.

Don't #10: Too Tight, Too Short Dresses: Don't mess up your professional reputation by wearing that Kim Kardashian worthy dress. Keep to those cute and warm sweater dresses or nice pants and a sweater top that will still show off your body.

Don't #11: Festive Garb: The antlers and battery powered Christmas light necklaces and sweaters need to stay at home with the kids. This is still your professional life and you don't want to be remembered for being the immature one. Unless of course you work at a quirky place anyway...then feel free to be as fun and quirky as you want!

The Holiday's are Coming to Town!

2010-11-30T12:11:00.000-06:00

It's never too early to get in to the Christmas spirit. Growing up every year on the day after Thanksgiving we would pull out all our Christmas decorations, including a great 7.5 foot tree, and start setting them up while listening to Christmas music and eating leftovers.

I loved it and those are memories I will never forget. This year it's just my husband and I in our little apartment. We plan on a few decorations, but we really don't have the room or storage! Even though we don't have a big 7.5 foot tree or any of those decorations and things we enjoyed growing up, that's not going to stop us from having a great little Christmas party with our friends!

Whether you are like my parents or like me and my husband, anyone can throw a great looking and easy Christmas party. I love to cook, so one of the first things I do when planning any type of party is figure out what I would like to serve. Many times I do a pot luck type of party and have everyone bring something. That way everyone has something they like.

Edible Ornaments

Fun desserts and different drinks rather than just the regular sodas and water are also something fun to have. Try making a Christmas tree out of cupcakes or even cute little edible ornaments. If you don't feel like baking and decorating try The Cupcake Bar. They are exactly what their name says, a full service bar for cupcakes. They have 75 toppings, 20 flavors, and a spread of different fillings. You just walk up to the bar and tell them what type of cupcake you want, what you want on it and what you want in it. Sounds fun and delicious to me!

There are tons of drinks you can make for the holiday's that aren't just your regular eggnog. Try a few non-alcoholic drinks such as a S'more Mocktail with marshmallow cream topping and graham crackers or a Cranberry-Mint cooler with a frozen holiday wreath made from a shot glass mold with mint and cranberries . If you can't do with out the eggnog, try this new version with a cookie ornament garnish.

Ornament wreath

Decorations are next on the list of party planning, but are pretty easy around the holidays with the abundance of Christmas trees, snowmen, nutcrackers, and lights. If you want something easy, fun and inexpensive, you can make an ornament wreath. It's as easy as taking an old wire hanger and forming it info a wreath shape and adding ornaments of your choosing.

There are tons of other ideas and inspiration you can find, so these are just a few of my favorite things. At this time of year don't forget all the special people in your life and everything you have to be thankful for, including all the little things most people take for granted, such as their health, mobility, job, family, money, friends, and whether you are married, getting married our just engaged this holiday season, you are blessed to have found someone to love you and take care of you for the rest of your life.

Is this the worst wedding guest ever?

2010-11-24T10:58:00.001-06:00

WARNING: This video does contain some profanity, so please don't watch if you are easily offended.

Is this the worst wedding guest ever? Or funny? What do you think?
This guy is a radio host and you can find out more about this guy at www.specialdeliveryshow.com or www.twitter.com/eastsidedave.