Stonelake Capital Partners 15 Year Anniversary | Austin Event Planner

March 5, 2023 Melanie Richardson

We celebrate all occasions, not just weddings, although weddings certainly take the majority of our time. However, in the fall we got the opportunity to plan a two day 15 year anniversary event and it was the perfect mindset change in the middle of Texas wedding season.

Stonelake was welcoming investors from around the country and wanted to show off all that Texas has to offer. Guests stayed at the beautiful Four Seasons Austin, right in the heart of downtown and directly on Lady Bird Lake. They were welcomed with an evening reception on the lawn before heading to an impromptu dinner at Matt’s El Rancho. Being late September, you never quite know what the temperature will be, but they got the first week of comfortable weather and were able to enjoy the outdoors.

Since the group was primarily men, we needed to balance elegance without being too “pretty”, and our vendor team got the memo! The mix of dark fall colors mixed with white, and touches of leather, velvet, metal and wood, nestled in the lush green lawn with the lake behind was perfect.

Guests enjoyed charcuterie along with a variety of six passed hors d’oeuvres, some traditional, and some much more Texas, like mini Mexican street corn! Making sure everyone was happy and taken care of was the number one priority, so the bar was stocked accordingly. High end wines and liquors were available, along with matching mocktails from Spiritless.

As everyone mingled, Fort Worth musician Grady Spencer serenaded the guests as the sun began to set on this beautiful evening.

The next morning started with an early morning breakfast overlooking the lake and then a busy early afternoon of property tours showcasing four of Stonelake’s Austin properties. Then it was back to the Four Seasons Austin for Tex-Mex lunch during their meeting. The guests were given a few hours of free time to relax and prepare for the big event, the 15 Year Anniversary Party later that evening at Fair Market.

Not gonna lie, we were SO excited to have the opportunity to design an event at Fair Market. Industrial weddings are not something we see often, plus its a huge space for an event that was not that large, so the challenge was very much welcomed. The idea was to play off the existing elements of the venue, which includes concrete, “rusty” metal, corrugated metal, exposed ceilings, festoon lights, stone, and huge garage doors to just name a few.

Along with our vendor team, we took this challenge and ran with it, ending with one of our favorite designs of 2022. To help fill the space we did a mix of round tables with textured linen and wooden and metal rectangular farm tables, paired with a heavy focus on the bars and food stations. Lighting and signage was critical in playing up those areas, and also making the space feel more comfortable along with brown and black leather furniture sets placed both inside and out. We also could not ignore the signature marquee sign and painted stair entrance! Flora Fetish made a show stopping install of fall color florals to welcome guests as they entered the party!

To clearly designate spaces in the large room, we used a mix of tables for dining, and then flanked the stage area with high tables with both standing or bar stool seating. Stonelake had Austin local Jack Ingram set to perform, but knew it would be like a concert than a dance session, and we wanted to give options for guests to enjoy the show. To tie the areas together we used runners and linens to match the napkins, and bud vase florals matching the larger floral centepieces.

We put a lot of thought into our tables and place setting, wanting it to feel comfortable and casual, but still upscale since it was a celebration. We accented our ivory and clay linens with a mix of fall centerpieces in natural elements like glass, wood, and copper. The florals themselves had a masculine fall inspiration with many different tones and textures. Candles were added in rich tones of amber, gold, and copper to accent with the overhead festoon lighting and bring some additional warmth.

On the tables we went simple with an elegant white plate, napkins set purposefully not as a perfect rectangle, hammered flatware, and a highball water glass (more traditional of what you would see at home) instead of the traditional goblet often seen at corporate or social events. For the cocktail tables, we used the coordinating linen or runner and did assorted bud vases with fun florals.

You can’t have an event at Fair Market and not use their outdoor space, especially on a gorgeous fall day. We had big plans for it, and it was a hit, with more people outside at the end of the night than indoors. We used the biergarten tables provided by the venue, along with some tall cocktail tables and a comfy leather seating area, for plenty of options.

Even with the breezy fall weather we needed to give everyone a reason to go outside, so food and drink was the way to go. Dessert was provided via food truck by Cold Cookie Company, since this lawn is the perfect place for food trucks. But the main focus was the tequila tasting bar by Crave Catering. Staged next to the lounging set with a stunning floral piece, and stocked with four high end tequilas, it had a crowd around it all evening.

As guests arrived they enjoyed the fully stocked bar (with mocktails from Spiritless again) and passed apps from Crave Catering including a hot chicken biscuit and pickled shrimp tacos. Signage was provided for everything (even the passed app trays) from Jen Krause Paper Co so there were no questions about what was being served or any dietary concerns.

Food was a high priority for this party, so Crave pulled out all the stops with a menu of Texas BBQ, Tex-Mex, and comfort foods with a twist. But the main feature was sausage and brisket by local favorite and award winning Franklin Barbecue! With such a large space, and so many food options available, 8 foot wide hanging signs were above each station, with additional signage listing all items for guests to see before having to make their selection.

After dinner was the anniversary present, a private concert by Austin native but nationally known Jack Ingram Band. The managing partners got a private meet and greet before he took the stage, and its pretty obvious they were a little star struck!

As the night wrapped up, guests mingled and kicked back to the music provided by Steven of Full Scope Entertainment until the bars closed down. The night was a success, much like the past 15 years of Stonelake Capital Partners.

Thanks for letting us be part of this celebration and we look forward to the 2023 annual meeting!